Company Press Release: Harrah's Entertainment, Inc.
November 25, 1999
LAS VEGAS, NV -- Harrah's Entertainment, Inc. (NYSE: HET) today announces the appointment of Tom Roberts as the
new senior vice president and general manager of Harrah's Shreveport. Roberts' appointment is subject to Louisiana
regulatory approvals.
Tom Roberts was previously the vice president of development and leasing for the Rio Suites Hotel & Casino
in Las Vegas. Roberts led the development, leasing and management of Rio's $250 million Masquerade Village, with
its combination of gaming, retail, food and beverage and interactive entertainment. He also led and managed the
recent ``Treasures of Russia'' exhibit, which showcased an exclusive showing of Russian artifacts. Roberts recently
spearheaded the ``Titanic, The Exhibit,'' which opened at Rio this month.
The Rio merged with Harrah's Entertainment in January of this year. World renown for its restaurants and overall
quality facility, the Rio has approximately 2,500 suites, an 18-hole championship golf course, and 120,000 square
feet of gaming space.
Prior to joining Rio in 1996, Roberts was the founding general manager of the Forum Shops at Caesars in Las Vegas,
one of the most successful retail operations in the United States. He was also the founding general manager of
the Lincolnwood Town Center on the north shore of downtown Chicago.
``Tom's leadership skills in developing and managing large, high-quality projects are a wonderful fit for our organization
as Harrah's Shreveport expands to open a 514-room hotel, multiple restaurants and a convention center over the
next year,'' explains Central Division President Anthony Sanfilippo. ``I am also excited about the cross-company
transfer of talent between our Rio and Harrah's brands.''
Roberts received his MBA from Phillips University in Enid, Oklahoma, and a bachelor's from Youngstown State University
in Ohio. He attended this year's ``Leadership in Gaming'' Executive Development Program sponsored by the University
of Nevada, Reno.
Harrah's Entertainment, Inc. is the most recognized and respected name in the casino entertainment industry operating
20 casinos under the Harrah's, Showboat and Rio brand names. Founded more than 60 years ago, Harrah's is focused
on building loyalty and value with its target customers through a unique combination of great service, excellent
products, unsurpassed distribution, operational excellence and technology leadership. The company recently relocated
its corporate headquarters to Las Vegas, Nevada, from Memphis, Tennessee.
SOURCE: Harrah's Entertainment, Inc.