25 PEOPLE TO WATCH 2025
Partnerships at Pechanga
Ken Perez President , Pechanga Development Corporation
Whether it ’ s lining up reciprocal rewards with the luxury Venetian Resort Las Vegas or scoring big with partnerships with Southern California sports teams like the Los Angeles Lakers , Los Angeles Chargers or Los Angeles Clippers , Ken Perez , president of the Pechanga Development Corporation , makes the deals that help keep Pechanga Resort Casino one of the best brick-andmortar establishments outside of Nevada .
Perez , who was reelected to the Pechanga Development Corporation ’ s Board of Directors for the fourth time in 2022 , is president of the PDC ’ s board . Under his leadership , the Pechanga Resort Casino has landed an impressive number of partnership deals , extending the reach across California and into Nevada .
The deal with the Venetian Resort Las Vegas is just the latest . “ The Venetian is an iconic Las Vegas resort , and approached us with this partnership idea ,” Perez told the Orange County Register . “ Las Vegas casinos have approached Pechanga for about 10 years about partnerships , but we declined them as they weren ’ t right for us or our guests , but we liked this one .”
Under Perez , Pechanga has solidified its place in the Southern California sports scene . The recently opened Intuit Dome , home of the Los Angeles Clippers , has been praised for its innovative design and fan experience , including the “ wall of fans ” behind the hoop during basketball games .
“ We ’ re very happy to have Pechanga as an Intuit Dome Founding Partner and the exclusive tribal casino of the LA Clippers as we continue programs and events that improve the lives of our neighbors ,” said Intuit Dome Chief Commercial Officer Scott Sonnenberg in a blog on the casino ’ s website .
The partnership with the Clippers extends into the surrounding community . Earlier this year , the team and Pechanga donated laptops and supplies to a high school in Lake Elsinore , California , and is also sponsoring the team ’ s annual Feed the Community holiday event .
Pechanga Resort Casino is the Clippers ’ exclusive tribal casino . Before being elected to the PDC Board , Perez served on the Pechanga Tribal Council and was chairman of the Pechanga Gaming Commission . Perez spent more than 30 years in law enforcement before retiring in 2000 as chief of police of the Calipatria ( California ) Police Department . — Kathy Urban
The Point of Connection
Paris Smith Founder , Life Winning
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his year marks Paris Smith ’ s 30th year in gaming , but also something of a new beginning . In 2023 , after almost two decades as CEO of Pinnacle , she stepped back into an advisory role with the operator . She ’ s embarking on a new path as an industry investor through Life Winning .
“ I worked six days a week , minimum 12 hours a day ,” Smith says . “ Not just for the 17 years at Pinnacle , but even more prior to that . So to calm down and have a better balance , that was the hardest transition .”
The switch from operator to investor was not planned , she adds . After years of passing on interesting products that weren ’ t the right fit for an operator , she realized many of these passes “ were actually phenomenal products that eventually have their own huge booths at conferences .
“ I just wanted to see and understand everything , and that ’ s when I started getting dozens of requests a week , asking to look through decks or look at products . That ’ s when I started organically becoming more of an angel investor .
“ I realized that when I started 29 years ago , ( gaming ) was a startup industry . But fast-forward 29 years and being able to share the experience I ’ ve gained , it ’ s extremely rewarding . I love it .”
At Pinnacle , Smith sought out employees who were hungry , humble , smart and passionate . These qualities are equally important to her in potential investments . But most important is an ability to execute .
“ We had products , projects and ideas at Pinnacle and my previous company that after tons of money we could have invested , never came to fruition . So that execution of a project is critical .”
Alongside Life Winning , Smith founded startup incubator Defy the Odds alongside fellow industry veterans Sue Schneider and Kelly Kehn . Aiming to encourage a new , more diverse generation of founders , Smith says it will ultimately prove that diversity will support innovation .
“ There ’ s a lot of people walking around talking to the wrong people , being steered in the wrong direction , signing the wrong agreements ,” she explains . “ Defy the Odds gives them a platform , and makes people aware of this talent .
“ It ’ s not that companies don ’ t want these diverse types of entrepreneurs ; they don ’ t know where to find them . So it ’ s creating a point of connection .”
It makes her feel more motivated , she continues , as she ’ s seeing and experiencing more of the industry . “ I ’ m having so much fun . I love getting my investor updates . I love touching base with the people that I ’ ve been working with . I love when they bring a problem and I can help solve it or point them in the right direction .”
Put simply , it ’ s helping people . “ That ’ s my main motivator ,” Smith says . “ Watching people succeed , setting up people for success .” — Robin Harrison
20 Global Gaming Business JANUARY 2025