Former vice president, international at Bally Technologies, John Connelly has been named the new chief executive officer of Italy's Zest Gaming.
During his time at Bally, Connelly was responsible for the company’s expansion to numerous new markets, the revitalisation of lapsed strongholds and the delivery of dynamic business growth both in terms of percentage of floor and performance of product around the world.
With 18 years of gaming experience, his contributions involved taking Bally’s international business from under five per cent of total revenue to nearly 20 per cent in less than four years.
Connelly will remain a senior consultant to Bally’s executives for at least two years, focusing on significant international projects.
Zest Gaming also announced two further appointments, which it claimed will significantly enhance the company’s management team and prepare it for a new stage of growth within the Latin American and European markets.
Norma Da Silva, the former sales director of IGT Latin America, has joined the company as vice president for Latin America. Da Silva joined IGT in 1999 and in the following 12 years was a key force in establishing Latin America as one of the company’s largest international business units worldwide.
Madlen Aleksandrova, meanwhile, has been appointed director of sales and marketing, Europe. With a proven track record of success during her time at Euro Games Technology, Aleksandrova played an important role in the opening of new markets and in establishing brand awareness for the company as sales and marketing director.
“I believe Zest Gaming is well positioned for success,” commented Luca Frigerio, chairman of Zest Gaming. “We are in the process of building one of the best international teams, which will provide us with the tools necessary to become a truly global leader in the gaming business.”
