Ainsworth Game Technology announced several internal promotions across its sales, marketing, and product management divisions.
Chris Calitri was appointed Director of Historical Horse Racing after eight years with the company. He has racing and gaming industry experience and will oversee the company’s HHR system and game portfolio.
Gary Fairchild became Regional Sales Director for the western region. Fairchild has worked at Ainsworth for nine years and has 17 years of total industry experience.
Jack Valadez was named Regional Sales Director for the eastern region. He brings over 20 years of experience from both operator and manufacturing sides of the gaming industry.
The company also made changes in marketing and product management. Lesley Hodges was appointed Senior Director of Marketing, bringing over 20 years of industry experience to the role.
Jeannette Lima received a promotion to Director of Product Management and Strategy. Lima has worked in various roles at Ainsworth for eight years.
Ainsworth described the moves as part of ongoing efforts to restructure itself as an industry supplier and increase stakeholder value.
The company stated it wanted to utilise existing talent rather than external hires. All appointees have extensive company history and regional knowledge.
Sean Evans, Vice President of Sales, Marketing, and Product Strategy, said the promotions formalise roles that some employees were already supporting.
The restructuring affects departments that support the company’s sales and product functions. Marketing and product management will operate under new daily leadership structures.
The restructuring spans three main areas: sales, marketing, and product management.
Sales changes include the creation of regional director positions for eastern and western territories. The Historical Horse Racing division also receives dedicated leadership.
Marketing operations will function under Hodges’ direction as Senior Director. This department handles customer and sales team support strategies.
Product management changes place Lima in charge of product strategy and development. Her role involves determining which games and products the company develops.
Evans indicated these departments are “critical in supporting the sales and product functions” of the company. Each area will have focused leadership rather than shared responsibilities.
The appointments create what the company calls “a new level of focus” for each department. Regional sales directors will handle customer relationships in their specific territories.
Calitri will focus specifically on commercialising Ainsworth’s HHR system and games. This represents a dedicated approach to one product category.
Marketing and product management will coordinate to support sales efforts and respond to market demands. The structure aims to align product development with marketing strategies.
Evans stated the goal is delivering products based on market feedback and supporting customers with marketing programs. The restructured departments will work together on these objectives rather than operating independently.
