Mohawk Gaming Enterprises, LLC Selects New General Manager

Akwesasne, NY-The Mohawk Gaming Enterprises, LLC, is pleased to announce the selection of Shannon Keel as the new General Manager of the Akwesasne Mohawk Casino Resort (AMCR). Keel takes over the AMCR leadership team following the resignation of former-General Manager Patrick Bassney on May 1, 2015. Assistant General Manager Emily Lauzon was appointed as the Interim General Manager during a national search for Bassney’s replacement.

“Shannon comes to the Akwesasne Mohawk Casino Resort with more than ten years of senior-level casino resort management experience and a proven track record on increasing revenue,” stated MGE Chair and Tribal Chief Ron LaFrance. “Her extensive knowledge of financial analysis and marketing strategies, coupled with superior guest relations and hotel operations, made her an ideal candidate for General Manager. Her accomplishments as a gaming and hotel executive placed her in the top three out of 65 individuals that applied for the position from across the country.”

Shannon received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Marketing from California State University-Long Beach, where she garnered President’s and Dean’s Honor List recognition for studies in Hospitality Food Service and Hotel Management. She received nearly four years of combined direct ‘hands-on’ hotel operations experience at the 2,000-room Hyatt Regency in Chicago, IL and casino services management experience at the Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe Resort, Spa and Casino in Lake Tahoe, NV; where she earned the 2005 Most Improved Division Award and contributed to the gaming property’s prestigious AAA Four Diamond Rating.

“The support of Tribal Council and the dedication of AMCR’s leadership team, combined with Shannon’s cumulative understanding of managing gaming operations, is a winning formula toward ensuring the continued growth and financial success of the Akwesasne Mohawk Casino Resort,” shared Tribal Chief Eric Thompson. “Our community relies on the continued profitability of our gaming operations and under Shannon’s leadership, I am confident that the Akwesasne Mohawk Casino Resort will continue to be an economic anchor for the North Country.”

Shannon’s knowledge of gaming comes from serving in management positions at various casino resorts, where she directly oversaw operations and business development. Her more than six years as Vice President, General Manager and Assistant General Manager resulted in increased profit margins from the development and implementation of successful marketing strategies. Her time as Vice President and General Manager of the Golden Mardi Gras, Gates, Gulch Casinos in Black Hawk, CO entailed overseeing three casinos where she consistently decreased operating expenses each year, while improving market share. Her most recent employment as General Manager of the Reserve Casino Hotel in Central City, CO saw the continuation of her successful approach resulting in improved revenue and market share ten percent.

“I have every confidence that Shannon will ensure the continued success of the Akwesasne Mohawk Casino Resort,” stated Tribal Chief Beverly Cook. “Not only does she bring extensive gaming and hotel experience, but her energy to mentor and desire to work for a community perfectly matched our priorities of succession planning and training future leaders. I want to extend appreciation to Emily Lauzon for the leadership she provided as we conducted a national search, as well as for her continued guidance to AMCR’s management team.”

Upon accepting the position as the new General Manager for the Akwesasne Mohawk Casino Resort, Shannon said, “I am honored and excited to have been selected to oversee a beautiful property and work with such a dedicated group of individuals. I look forward to improving upon an already strong foundation of impressive financial results, guest service, quality and sense of community.”