Leadership Team
Meet the experienced executives driving VIP Play’s vision and growth, with proven track records at world-class technology companies including Caesars Entertainment, Google, Amazon, Black Fire Innovation, and leading gaming studios.
Les Ottolenghi
Chief Executive Officer
- 25+ years in gaming industry
- MBA Emory University, BA Duke University
- Upcoming Conferences
- August 13, 2025 AI4 Keynote Speaker
- October 21, 2025 Chief AI Officer Exchange Keynote Speaker
Jacob Shrader
Chief Operating Officer
- 5+ years in sports betting and wagering
- BA Tufts University - Economics
- Key Achievements
- Created first-ever “Fortnite Power Rankings” on ESTNN.com using an analytical framework in early 2018
- Pioneered the first “VIP Players Club Sweepstakes” at VIP Play, resulting in over 300% month-over-month in wagering activity.
John Dermody
Chief Transformation & Revenue Officer
- 20+ years in finance and trasnformational strategies
- BA Louisiana State University
- Career Achievements
- Created award-winning inaugural TBM methodology and ServiceNow/ITIL frameworks for delivering business analytics to drive standardization, impacting business results and shareholder value.
- Realized multimillion-dollar cost savings by partnering with McKinsey to restructure organization and audit processes for procurement and approving contracts.
Fernando Goldstein
Chief Technology Officer
- 20+ years in technology and business
- University of Haifa
- Key Achievements
- Designed and implemented a gold supply chain and gold-based token on blockchain
- Created a payment gateway for Western Union's internal use to optimize best price selection and normalize all payments into one common interface
Robert Rippee, Ph.D.
Interim CMO
- 30+ years in gaming and hospitality
- Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) , Hospitality Administration. Qualitative Research. Applied Research. Innovation, UNLV
- Career Achievements
- Lead the development of Black Fire Innovation and the UNLV Incubator powered by Hughes Center—each now recognized nationally for advancing university-led entrepreneurship, interdisciplinary collaboration, and industry engagement.
- As Director of both the Hospitality Innovation Lab and the Esports Innovation Lab at the International Gaming Institute, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, I led multidisciplinary, project-based initiatives that positioned students as co-creators in the innovation process.
Robert Rippee, Ph.D.
Interim CMO & Advisor
- 30+ years in gaming and hospitality
- Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) , Hospitality Administration. Qualitative Research. Applied Research. Innovation, UNLV
Tony Discroll
Advisor
Jim Mackey
Advisor
Our Leadership Philosophy
Our leadership team is united by shared values and a commitment to excellence,
innovation, and creating exceptional experiences for our national gaming community.
People First
We believe our people are our greatest asset. Our leaders foster an inclusive, collaborative environment where everyone can thrive and contribute their best work.
Innovation Driven
Our leadership team champions innovation at every level, encouraging bold ideas and calculated risks that push the boundaries of what's possible in gaming.
Global Impact
We're building a platform that connects and entertains millions worldwide, with leaders who understand the responsibility that comes with global reach.