2025 presenters CONTINUED

Carl Jackson began his career at Jackson Rancheria in 2000, with a brief stint in Sallisaw and Miami, Oklahoma, from 2001 to 2003. He returned to Jackson Rancheria and worked his way up through table games, eventually being promoted to Poker Room Manager in 2016. When COVID shut down poker, Carl transitioned to Table Games Shift Manager, ensuring smooth operations during challenging times. In August 2023, he accepted the position of Bingo Operations Manager, where he built the bingo department from the ground up. Carl is now bringing his poker and table games marketing strategies to bingo, setting the tone for the competition and positioning Jackson Rancheria as the ultimate destination for bingo enthusiasts.

Travis started with DGS in late 2018 and has worked and still works in many roles, as you would at a small startup company. They've ranged from sales to compliance, to operations, performance, and to a lesser degree, Human Resources. DGS started in Oklahoma and grew to 14 states, with 3 more coming in the next quarter. As a distributor, Travis has a level of exposure to slot machines that is different from an operator because he works so closely with many manufacturers and sees the trends from market to market.

Raven Johnston is a Sales Specialist at Castle Hill Gaming, bringing 18 years of experience in the casino industry, with a strong focus on Slot Operations and game performance analysis. In her current role, she supports executive management and sales by providing data-driven insights and making complex information more actionable. Raven holds a Master’s in Business Administration and brings a steady, informed perspective on key performance indicators that contribute to company success. She is pleased to join this panel to share her insights on the growth and success of perceived persistence in game development. 

Scott Kania is a visionary gaming professional with an affinity for Class II Bingo who currently serves as the Director of Product Management for IGT focusing on global Class II. With 30 years in the gaming industry, he has been instrumental in reenergizing IGT’s business vertical focus through execution of strategic initiatives increasing our market share both in US domestic and international jurisdictions.   Utilizing critical thinking, and analytical skills with proven leadership abilities, he takes the initiative to assist colleagues and customers alike aligning goals and business objectives.  Educated in Northern Nevada with a business management degree and a minor in computer science. 

My bingo journey began at the age of 8, sitting beside my grandma at the local charity hall. Those early memories, filled with laughter, excitement, and a few lucky wins, sparked a lifelong love for the game.

At 20, I officially stepped into the world of Bingo as a cashier at BJ’s Bingo & Gaming. What started as a front-line position soon evolved into roles as a bingo caller, and eventually, Bingo Lead—where I had the opportunity to mentor team members and ensure a top-tier experience for our guests on the floor.

After 10 years of working hands-on with guests. I made the leap into leadership as Bingo Manager. In this role, I’ve focused on creating an environment rooted in collaboration, trust, and a shared passion for Bingo. I’m committed to listening to both team and player feedback, making sure everyone feels valued and heard.

Now, 20 years later, BJ’s Bingo & Gaming isn’t just where I work—it’s where I’ve grown, built relationships, and created a space that feels like home.

Joe leads Product and Client Success for North America's leading library of sports prediction and instant-win games.

Prior to Chalkline, Joe served as CEO of Etix, and led the company to a successful exit in 2015. Etix processed annual ticketing receipts of $450M and employed over 100 team members. Etix acquired Rockhouse Partners, a company that Joe co-founded, before Joe took the lead role at the joint company. 

Previously, Joe led and scaled business divisions and products at Ticketmaster, Idealab and MediaNews Group, and served as the Product Manager for the 2010 launch of the Nashville Entrepreneur Center. 

Justin began his hospitality career at the Mirage in 2008 as a pool attendant. After relocating to Connecticut in 2010, he returned to Las Vegas in 2012 as the Spa Assistant Manager at The Palms. Following Station Casinos' acquisition of The Palms in 2017, Justin transitioned into the Food and Beverage sector, assuming the role of Assistant Beverage Manager. He later ventured into gaming, serving as Bingo Manager at Green Valley Ranch Resort. In 2021, Justin returned to Food and Beverage as Director of Beverage, where he successfully led the opening of four new bars and two new restaurants. In September 2024, he was promoted to Director of Ancillary Gaming at Station Casinos, where he is currently leveraging his extensive experience to expand and enhance the Bingo and Keno departments. 

Andy is responsible for leading the day-to-day operations of the agency. Previous to his role as President, Andy served as Chief Client Officer for seven years where he was responsible for business development, client satisfaction, marketing, and overall top-line revenue for the agency.

A long-time agency veteran, Andy has experience across many business categories and has helped lead partnerships with brands such as Red Bull, Cisco, Honeywell, Time Warner Cable, and many more. He was also instrumental in implementing NPS at the agency as a means to monitor client satisfaction. After more than six years of utilizing that feedback to improve agency services, LT consistently scores above 70, which is considered world-class in the agency category.

He is also a faculty member with the Society of Digital Agencies and supports multiple nonprofits in the Valley, including Fresh Start Women’s Foundation and Teen Lifeline. When he’s not helping to lead the agency, you can find him coaching one of his two girls, camping and fishing in Northern Arizona, or cooking up dinner for his family.

Richard Sagman is an SVP of Product Management at Everi where he oversees Mobile On-Premise Gaming. He has worked in digital gaming for 25 years, across a diverse array of real-money products in Europe and the US, including Online and Land-based Casinos, Mobile On-Premise Class II & Class III, Bingo, Skill Games, Lottery, and Sportsbook.

Richard has worked in the tribal gaming space since 2014, including launching Class II mobile products in California with the likes of Running Creek, Harrah’s SoCal (Rincon) and Colusa Casino Resort. Born in Scotland, his accent and gaming experience stems from productive stints in London, Tel Aviv, Gibraltar, and Kentucky. He now lives with his Wife, Kids, Dogs, and Guitars in sunny Las Vegas.

Dan joined IT in 2004 as a marketing team member for Golden Tee® Golf. In 2011 Dan moved to create the product market plan and strategy for the company's then-emerging casino gaming initiative. He went on to lead both casino gaming sales and marketing for the company. As President of Gaming, Dan oversees the company’s Gaming Division, including product development, market strategy, sales, service along with finance and operations for the company. Dan received his B.S. in Marketing from Illinois State University and his M.B.A. from Northern Illinois University.

Steve has been with Prairie Band Casino & Resort for over 24 years, 23 of which have been in Player Development. He has been in Sales or Management through three major expansions at Prairie Band Casino & Resort. Steve has been recognized with Chairman’s Awards for Superior Guest Service, as well as Superior Team Results from Caesars Entertainment, the highest Award of Achievement in Dale Carnegie’s Skills for Success, and the GM’s Inspirational Leader Award. He is a member of the Sales & Marketing Executives of Topeka, Kansas, serves on several property committees and speaks regularly at Kansas State University’s Department of Hospitality, where the casino was recently recognized with a “Friend of the College” Award. Steve was also on a panel for Player Development at OIGA. As the Director of Player Development, Steve’s team consists of 12 Executive Casino Hosts, VIP Services, Resort Ambassadors, and the Player’s Club. The loyalty program was rebranded in 2023. Steve’s passion for the industry, property, and department drives him to consistently explore opportunities to learn and adjust for maximized profitability.

Chad is an accomplished gaming industry professional with over two decades of experience in operations, field services, and account management. Currently serving as an Account Executive at Castle Hill Gaming, Chad has been instrumental in supporting client success and overseeing strategic operations across the Midwest since 2020.

Before stepping into his current role, Chad held several leadership positions at Castle Hill Gaming, including Mid-West Operations Manager and Field Service Manager, where he managed production oversight, field service teams, inventory control, and route performance.

His previous roles include Operations Manager at Wyandotte Nation Casino, Slot Manager and Network Administrator at High Winds Casino, and Customer Relations and Field Services Technician at Rocket Gaming Systems. 

Chad also brings a strong technical foundation, having worked in network administration and earned certifications in Computer Services and Business Management from NEO Technology Center.

A proud U.S. Marine Corps veteran, Chad served as a Corporal in Combat Service Support with the 1st FSSG, 1st Marine Division, where he developed leadership, discipline, and teamwork skills that continue to influence his professional approach.

Stephen Vann is a Senior Product Manager of Class II Commercial Strategy at Aristocrat Gaming, a global frontrunner in gaming content and technology. With an impressive career spanning over two decades in the gaming industry, Stephen has extensive experience in both operational and manufacturing domains, predominantly in the Class II sector. His journey in the gaming industry began with a 12-year tenure in various roles for his tribal community, encompassing both operational and regulatory responsibilities.

In 2014, Stephen embarked on a new chapter with Video Gaming Technologies (VGT), marking a significant milestone in his career. His expertise continued to flourish when VGT was acquired by Aristocrat Technologies in 2015, where he has since been instrumental in fostering and strengthening pivotal relationships with tribal partners. His commitment to ensuring the success of Class II gaming within these partnerships is a testament to his strategic vision and deep understanding of the industry.

Stephen graduated from Northeastern State University with a bachelor’s degree and an MBA. After spending four years in Las Vegas, Stephen has recently relocated back to Oklahoma. This move not only brings him closer to his roots but also positions him strategically to provide direct commercial oversight in the Oklahoma market. Simultaneously, he continues to shape and influence commercial strategies across the North American region, leveraging his vast experience and insights to drive growth and innovation in the gaming industry.

Erik Isner serves as the Bingo Director at Sycuan Casino Resort in San Diego, California. He embarked on his career in the gaming sector within the slot department 18 years ago and subsequently advanced to oversee a highly successful Bingo operation. In his capacity as Bingo Director, Erik is tasked with steering the department toward maximum profitability while simultaneously enhancing the overall guest experience and cultivating a positive, engaging environment for team members. By collaborating closely with Sycuan’s analytics team, he systematically reviews and assesses departmental performance metrics, establishes and monitors key performance indicators (KPIs), and makes operational adjustments to ensure that performance targets are met or exceeded.