EMERGING LEADERS
Born for Gaming
Steve Kohon
Executive Vice President , Operations and Service , Bluberi Gaming
Steve Kohon didn ’ t need a bachelor of science degree in business management and marketing from Southern Illinois University to know where he wanted to spend his life ’ s work . Hint : It ’ s Las Vegas .
During Kohon ’ s formative years , the family would make occasional jaunts to the desert paradise from their home in Johnsburg , Illinois , a small farm town near the Wisconsin border . Taken together , these trips left an imprint on Kohon .
“ I ’ ve had a passion for gaming since then ,” he says . So he packed up his Dodge Neon , bound for Vegas . But it was more than “ Las Vegas is cool ; I want to work there .”
“ Gaming caught my attention because I always associated it with people having fun and enjoying themselves with friends .”
“ Gaming caught my attention because I always associated it with people having fun and enjoying themselves with friends ,” he says .
Kohon spent 11 years with Konami from July 2010 to July 2021 , going from product analyst to senior director of sales , Western Region . “ Konami provided me the opportunity to build my skill set in the product , sales and leadership areas of the gaming industry .”
By the time Covid-19 hit the industry , Bluberi Gaming hired Kohon as vice president of sales , West , and several months later named him executive vice president of operations and service .
The chance to help lead the sales team at Bluberi Gaming came up near the beginning of Covid-19 in July 2020 . “ I know Covid was a big time for everyone to reflect on their career / lives , so the wild times of early Covid likely pushed me towards the new opportunity a bit ,” he says .
It was more than Covid-19 . A trio of executives helped guide Kohon ’ s career — Ross O ’ Hanley , at the time chief revenue officer at Exacta Systems ; Casey Whalen , chief commercial officer at Bluberi Gaming ; and Steve Laman , the former Bally Technologies sales executive who passed away in April 2020 .
Kohon exudes a confidence in his and the industry ’ s future . He sees himself , and more importantly , the industry sees him , as one of the more well-rounded individuals in the gaming industry with experience in multiple areas of the business — product , sales and operations . With Bluberi Gaming , Kohon should remain a “ high-level executive as we continue to grow our business ,” he says . Along with the confidence , Kohon tries not to second-guess his decisions . “ I tend to always be at peace with my decisions regardless of the outcome , and look to learn from them and move forward ,” says Kohon , who considers down time with his wife Kateri , son Wyatt , 7 , and daughter Aviana , 5 , as a source of relaxation . — Bill Sokolic
World-Class Experience
Heather Jerrytone
Director of VIP Services , Yaamava ’ Casino & Resort
How ’ s this for standout experience on a resume ? First-to-market opening team member : first in Pennsylvania , Mohegan Sun ; first in New York City , Resorts World ; first in Baltimore , Horseshoe .
Meet Heather Jerrytone , also an opening team member of VIP services for Yaamava ’ Resort & Casino , California ’ s newest luxury resort .
Heather Jerrytone , who celebrates her sweet 16 in the gaming industry . Heather Jerrytone , who grew up in the Northeast corner of Pennsylvania and attended Bloomsburg University , where she earned a bachelor of science in marketing . She also studied at ICN Business School in Nancy , France .
“ These early years of traveling internationally and attending two esteemed schools of business contributed to a career plan centered around working with diversity of thought and leading teams by fostering a global mindset ,” she says .
Jerrytone expanded her world view of business principles to navigate cross-cultural communication .
She also participated in the Macy ’ s Executive Management Development Program at their flagship location in Herald Square , New York City . “ This included a high-impact business simulation program complemented with the opportunity to step outside of traditional roles in all facets of leadership ,” she says .
The Macy ’ s program also honed in on fundamental business acumen required to increase team engagement and maximize productivity .
Jerrytone has passion for travel , among other endeavors . “ I enjoy providing stellar guest service and immersing myself in diverse cultural experi-
34 Global Gaming Business AUGUST 2023