Sunday, August 20, 2006

Four Winds Casino Resort has named Matthew Harkness, a seasoned gaming executive with over 25 years of New Jersey gaming experience, as their new General Manager. Beginning in early September, Harkness will assume day-to-day responsibility for all facets of Four Winds operations. "Matt's extensive casino background and proven track record in the gaming industry will be extremely valuable to Four Winds Casino Resort," said John Miller, Chairman of the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians. "He's the right leader to create the best possible gaming experience for our Four Winds patrons." Harkness' gaming experience includes marketing and casino operations. He served five years as chief operating officer for Trump Plaza in New Jersey where he managed all aspects of the casino hotel with 3,000 slot machines, 90 table games, 900 hotel rooms and 2,500 employees. Harkness successfully incorporated new slot technologies ahead of the competition in New Jersey. He also served as senior vice president/marketing at Trump Taj Mahal, executive director/marketing at Trump Marina, and executive director/casino administration at Trump Taj Mahal. Recently, Harkness served as a consultant in tribal gaming.

Tim Cope, President of Lakes Entertainment, the management company of Four Winds stated, "We're pleased to have filled this key position with an individual of Matt's caliber as we begin to build a quality team to open and operate the Four Winds Casino Resort."

"I'm very excited to be working with the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi and Lakes Entertainment," said Harkness. "I believe Four Winds Casino Resort, when it opens in August 2007, will be the premier gaming resort in the Chicagoland market."

Harkness was born in Lansing and still has family in the Detroit area.