“ Gaming is a fun and exciting industry . Don ’ t lose sight of that .”
EMERGING LEADERS
Homeward Bound
Heather Lee Lommori
Sales Director , Engaged Nation
Heather Lee Lommori was so averse to the idea of working from home when Covid-19 forced a shutdown everywhere , she resisted at first . But the director of sales for Engaged Nation got with the program and it was like tasting a recipe you refused to try for years and wondering what took so long .
“ Working from home was one of those ‘ you don ’ t know what you ’ re missing ’ kind of experiences ,” says Lommori , a native Nevadan , born and raised in Reno . “ I didn ’ t think I would like it , but this has been such a wonderful transition for me . Now I love it and couldn ’ t imagine going back to an office every day .”
A criminal justice and psychology major at the University of Nevada , Reno , Lommori wanted to be in law enforcement , something at the federal level .
“ Gaming is a fun and exciting industry . Don ’ t lose sight of that .”
“ However , during my first year of grad school , I became a single mom during challenging economic times and had to leave the program to work full-time ,” she says .
She took a job at bank and a second waiting tables . A gaming job came almost by accident . “ I applied for a sales position at Atrient before I knew what it was or what I would be selling .”
Call it love at first sight . She knew the gaming industry was where she belonged . Seeking to advance her career , Lommori applied for an open sales director position at Engaged Nation .
“ I was attracted to the company culture . I loved their philosophy of being more than a vendor to casinos and how they embraced the role of being good partners .” It ’ s a philosophy Lommori tries to embody . “ It ’ s been a great fit so far .” At Engaged Nation , Lommori handles sales , promotions , email and text services nationwide . “ I am involved in all phases of the sale , from lead generation to contract negotiation ,” she says . “ I also assist with the planning and execution of trade shows .” While Covid has had its ups and downs for Lommori , she ’ s focused on the positive . For one thing , she got to return to Reno , which turned out to be a godsend to Lommori and her family . You might say Covid was just another obstacle to overcome . “ I am a firm believer in prayer and meditation , so I lean heavily on these practices for guidance and perspective ,” says Lommori , who relaxes by meditating and exercising . Lommori has also relied on colleagues for advice during her journey , those who have been there and helped her work through the challenges .
“ Angela Ahmet , senior vice president , was my boss at Atrient , and then at Everi after the acquisition . She taught me about gaming and encouraged me to join Global Gaming Women . She groomed me into who I am today ,” she says . Mick Ingersoll , vice president , sales operations at Everi , was not only a colleague but a close friend . “ He has pushed me to exceed and be the best version of myself at every stage of my career ,” she explains . “ I owe him much of this accomplishment .”
If she could meet her younger self after all these years , she ’ d tell her , “ Don ’ t sweat the small stuff . And enjoy the ride . Gaming is a fun and exciting industry . Don ’ t lose sight of that .” — Bill Sokolic
Real Estate to Gaming
Michael Peacock
Associate , DLA Piper
As a kid growing up in Absecon , New Jersey ,
Mike Peacock dreamed of being a diplomat or an ambassador , something in the foreign service . To chase those childhood dreams , he majored in international relations at the University of Pennsylvania . “ But my sights were set on being a lawyer ,” he says . “ It ’ s a good interdisciplinary major . It was interesting and served me well .”
While an undergrad , Peacock did a semester internship in Washington , working at NASA , of all places . He worked in the history and archives department .
“ I met astronauts and dealt with Freedom of Information Act requests about whether the moon landing was fake . I gained a lot of historical knowledge . It was cool ,” he says .
Peacock graduated from Rutgers School of Law and got his first taste of the legal system in Atlantic County , New Jersey working as a paralegal and summer associate at Cooper Levenson .
When he finished law school , Peacock joined Nehmad , Perillo & Davis in Atlantic City , where he spent more than a half dozen years focused on real estate planning , zoning and development law . “ But casinos and gaming were always in the background ,” he says . In 2018 , he signed with Fox Rothschild working on gaming law . And almost two years later he moved over to DLA Piper , also practicing gaming law .
The Supreme Court decision that overturned the ban on sports betting in 2018 opened the door
38 Global Gaming Business FEBRUARY 2022