Mohegan, a major entertainment and gaming resort company, has named Nelson Parker as chief strategy officer — a move that represents a significant part of Mohegan’s strategic growth plan. Before being promoted to this position, Parker was senior vice president of strategic development.
Parker Brings Gaming and Hospitality Expertise to Mohegan
Parker came to Mohegan in 2022 after working in different senior-level roles within the gaming and hospitality industries. He was also previously employed at Driftwood Capital as managing director, where he oversaw investments made by its private equity fund focused on hotels.
Additionally, he served as senior VP of corporate development for Penn National Gaming and held various positions such as SVP hotel and casino development at Hard Rock International, vice president of development at Foxwoods Resort Casino, and corporate director of development at Argosy Gaming.
Ray Pineault, president and chief executive officer of Mohegan, welcomed Parker by saying: “Nelson has vast experience and a proven track record in strategic development and growth within the gaming and hospitality sectors. His skills will be invaluable as we continue to expand our footprint globally and explore new opportunities.”
In his new capacity with the organization, Parker will play a key role in identifying global growth opportunities, evaluating their viability and leading all necessary steps to forge these new frontiers. This will entail critically contributing toward future expansion efforts through capital planning while initiating vetting processes which will ensure successful realization across the board. He is expected to work closely with the top management team so that they can aligns strategic initiatives with the long term vision of the firm.
Nelson Parker Joins Executive Team to Drive Global Expansion
Parker who could not hide his excitement about taking up this post added: “I am honored to be a part of Mohegan’s executive leadership team and contribute to the company’s dynamic growth and strategic vision. Leveraging my experience in the gaming and hospitality sectors, I look forward to identifying new opportunities and driving initiatives that will enhance our offerings and expand our global footprint.”
Mohegan has recently made significant strides in expanding its reach, notably with the opening of the INSPIRE resort in Incheon, South Korea, a $1.6 billion project that marks the company’s first foray into Asia.
Within Mohegan, the promotion of Nelson Parker as part of the bigger trend of strengthening the company’s leadership. Earlier in the year, Joe Hasson was appointed as the interim chief operating officer while Ari Glazer became the chief financial officer, all aimed at building a strong management team during significant growth stages.
In the United States, Canada and Northern Asia, Mohegan runs first-class entertainment resorts. In the US alone there are five such facilities located in various places including Washington, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Nevada. The company’s iGaming division, Mohegan Digital, delivers advanced online gaming solutions to a global audience. Mohegan also owns and operates the Connecticut Sun, a professional basketball team in the WNBA.