During his time as Chief Operating Officer, Smith was responsible for over 1,100 employees and had direct oversight for operations, finance, marketing, information technology and human resources. He joins the Company from Empire City Casino at Yonkers Raceway in New York where he served as Chief Operating Officer since 2008 and Chief Financial Officer from 2007 to 2008. Smith brings over 18 years of successful and diverse gaming industry experience to Penn National, including senior management roles at properties in large metropolitan regional markets as well as at a destination resort casino in Las Vegas. Smith will report to John Finamore, Senior Vice President of Regional Operations at Penn National Gaming. He succeeds Jon Johnson, who served as General Manager of Hollywood Casino Joliet since September 2009 and will be assuming the role of Chief Financial Officer of the M Resort in Henderson, Nevada. (Nasdaq: PENN) announced today that subject to customary regulatory approvals, Wayne Smith has been named General Manager of Hollywood Casino Joliet effective in early January 2012. Smith Brings Extensive Gaming Industry Experience in Large Metropolitan Markets to Chicago-Area Property.
