Apr 5, 2017 | Employment, General News
20-year team member, Don Sikorski, was promoted to Director of Shops at Mohegan Sun and former Phoenix Suns Executive, Lynn Agnello, hired as Director of Sponsorships
UNCASVILLE, CT (April 5, 2017) – Mohegan Sun is pleased to announce the recent promotion of Don Sikorski and the hiring of Lynn Agnello. Both join the Director level at Mohegan Sun, Sikorski as Director of Shops at Mohegan Sun and Agnello as director of Sponsorships.
Joining Mohegan Sun in 1997, and prior to that, being a Senior Accountant for The Mohegan Tribe, Don Sikorski brings 20 years of valuable business, management and retail operations skills and experience to his newly promoted role in overseeing the 225,000 square-foot, Shops at Mohegan Sun. In addition to the many responsibilities that come along with such a vast, high revenue generating area, Sikorski will also be largely involved in the direction & strategic planning for all future retail and tenant opportunities at Mohegan Sun.
Sikorski is a Southern CT State University graduate and currently resides in Norwich with his wife and two sons, Kyle and Kevin.
Lynn Agnello joins the Mohegan Sun corporate team by way of Phoenix, Arizona, where she most recently represented radio sales across the NFL, NBA, MLB and NHL, as Network Audio Sales Manager for Skyview Networks. From 2001 – 2013, Agnello served initially as VP of Corporate Sales, then as Senior Vice President of Marketing Partnerships and later promoted to Executive Vice President of Partnership Development for the Phoenix Suns. Now as Director of Sponsorships, Agnello will lead a team focused on working with various partners to deliver unique and impactful activations for the countless special & signature events, concerts, Connecticut Sun and New England Black Wolves Lacrosse games at Mohegan Sun.
Agnello is an Indiana University graduate, a 2011 Stevie Award winner as “Best Executive” for companies with up to 250 employees, was named The Business Journal’s Top 25 Valley Business Women Leaders for 2011 as well and is a board member on the Fresh Start Women’s Foundation.
ABOUT MOHEGAN SUN: Owned by the Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority, Mohegan Sun is one of the largest, most spectacular entertainment, gaming, dining and shopping destinations in the United States. Situated on 185 acres along the Thames River in scenic southeastern Connecticut, Mohegan Sun is home to three unique casinos, 1,600 deluxe hotel rooms, 2 world-class spas, a golf course, over 80 shops, restaurants and bars as well as three award-winning entertainment venues including a 10,000-seat Arena. Mohegan Sun is within easy access of New York, Boston, Hartford and Providence and located 15 minutes from the museums, antique shops and waterfront of Mystic Country. More information is available by calling 1.888.226.7711 or visiting mohegansun.com. Connect with us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter and Instagram @mohegansun, view us on YouTube and find us on Snapchat at username MoheganSun.
Mar 23, 2017 | Breaking News, Employment, Food & Beverage, General News, Travel & Leisure
Construction has begun on an $80 million Exposition & Convention Center to be located near the Winter Entrance of Mohegan Sun, officials announced at a press gathering Thursday while speaking in detail on the full project; United Natural Foods announced as early partner
UNCASVILLE, CT (March 23, 2017) – Leaders of the Mohegan Tribe and Mohegan Sun gathered Thursday afternoon at the flagship property in Connecticut, to announce the official plans for The Mohegan Sun Expo Center. Construction is underway with a target opening date of summer 2018. The expansion will span over 240,000 gross square-feet and will be located by the Winter Parking garage and in close proximity to Mohegan Sun’s newest hotel, Earth Tower. The New York based architect firm KPF (Kohn Pedersen Fox) and the construction team out of North Stonington, A/Z Corp, are partners on the project.
The Exposition and Convention Center is expected to attract more corporate and association trade shows, in addition to exhibitions such as Barrett-Jackson and the National Association of Postal Supervisors. It gives Mohegan Sun a great opportunity to also expand current consumer geared shows like Terrificon and bring about tech industry shows, golf shows, musical extravaganzas, home-shows, motor sports and hunting & fishing shows. One of the first partnerships announced today by Assistant General Manager, Jeff Hamilton, is with United Natural Foods Inc (UNFI), as he eluded to a full-scale food show already in early planning stages for next year.
Mohegan Tribal Chairman, Kevin Brown speaking at the event today as well, touched on more exciting partnerships to come and further positive impacts that the Expo Center will soon have for southeastern Connecticut. “This new conference center will help solidify Mohegan Sun as not just the premier conventions destination, but the premier resort in the Northeast region. It will enable us to host some of the largest trade shows in the nation and take back some of the lost conventions that seek bigger venues in Boston and New York,” the Chairman stated.
The Mohegan Sun Expo Center will bring in an estimated 200 jobs, including construction and permanent roles, with an additional 100 supplier jobs anticipated. Other key details and figures for include:
- 21,412-net square-foot ballroom, divisible into two and featuring over 3,000 net square feet of pre-function space
- The Exposition Center itself, will be 131,000 net square feet
- Feature free parking, 6 loading docks from an open parking field and additional drive in access from 2 grade level drive-in doors
- 18 meeting rooms in total, ranging from 360 square feet to 675 net square feet
- A 1,263 square-foot boardroom with 230 square feet of pre-function space and its own outdoor terrace
- 3,600 net square feet of outdoor space, which includes a large wrap-around terrace for the full center
- A 5,361-net square-foot kitchen
- Additional features include a mobile box office, up to the minute technology, digital displays inside and outside the center, free Wi-Fi, contiguous exhibit space
On the design front, the new Expo Center will be a column-free structure with clerestory windows, offering flexible programming within a naturally-lit space. The main circulation spine that connects the exposition hall to the pre-function area also provides access to the overall facility, including the ballroom and adjustable meeting rooms. Along this path, floor-to-ceiling windows and doors lead visitors onto an outdoor patio that adds gathering space in warm weather and buffers the building from Cove Road that loops around the entire site. Greenery extends east to the recently completed Earth Tower, which shares the same grand entry as the Sky Tower. Interior finishes will recall the Tribe’s cultural history, with custom carpeting and light fixtures that reflect Native American motifs, the nearby Thames River and the color palettes of the Earth and Sky Towers. Additional below-grade entertainment tenant space will comprise of 20,000 square feet of the total expanse, further diversifying the center’s mixed-use program.
Once completed in the summer of 2018, ideally in time for next year’s Barret-Jackson Car Collector’s Auction, Mohegan Sun will be home to the largest meetings and convention spaces between Boston, MA and New York City.
To learn more, visit mohegansun.com/EXPO
ABOUT KPF: Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates (KPF) is the architectural firm responsible for Mohegan Sun’s Project Sunburst expansion, which includes programming, master planning and the design of the magnificent exterior of Mohegan Sun. Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates is an award-winning, full-service architectural firm offering master planning, space planning, programming, building analysis and interior design services for a prestigious roster of international clients in both the public and private sectors. More information about Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates is available by visiting kpf.com.
ABOUT A/Z CORP: A/Z Corporation is a leading design, construction and maintenance services provider focused on delivering innovative, single-source solutions. The company’s mission is to provide the highest levels of quality and value to the clients it supports in technology-driven industries. This is a commitment that the firm has upheld for nearly 50 years. A/Z’s growing team of 450+ professionals is serving some of the most recognizable private and public companies throughout the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic United States via its offices located throughout the region.
ABOUT MOHEGAN SUN: Owned by the Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority, Mohegan Sun is one of the largest, most spectacular entertainment, gaming, dining and shopping destinations in the United States. Situated on 185 acres along the Thames River in scenic southeastern Connecticut, Mohegan Sun is home to three unique casinos, 1,600 deluxe hotel rooms, 2 world-class spas, a golf course, over 80 shops, restaurants and bars as well as three award-winning entertainment venues including a 10,000-seat Arena. Mohegan Sun is within easy access of New York, Boston, Hartford and Providence and located 15 minutes from the museums, antique shops and waterfront of Mystic Country. More information is available by calling 1.888.226.7711 or visiting mohegansun.com. Connect with us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter and Instagram @mohegansun, view us on YouTube and find us on Snapchat at username MoheganSun.
Nov 18, 2016 | Breaking News, Employment, General News, Special Events
The all-new Earth Tower is now open to the public. Mohegan Tribal Chairman, Kevin “Red Eagle” Brown, Mohegan Sun President and GM, Ray Pineault, Mohegan Chief, Lynn Malerba, along with Governor, Dannel Malloy, Lieutenant Governor, Nancy Wyman, Senator, Richard Blumenthal and Congressman, Joe Courtney and many more, all took part in the special ceremony Friday morning to welcome the new expansion
UNCASVILLE, CT (November 18, 2016) – Mohegan Sun’s 400-room, 242,000 square-foot $139 million Earth Tower, celebrated its grand opening this morning, with a special ribbon cutting event. Mohegan Sun President and General Manager, Ray Pineault and Mohegan Tribal Chairman, Kevin Brown “Red Eagle,” kicked the ceremony off by thanking all of the men and women who worked diligently over the last year and a half to design and construct a truly beautiful addition to Mohegan Sun’s property.
A second hotel at Mohegan Sun’s flagship destination was something that both the Mohegan Tribal Council and Mohegan Sun Senior Leadership have long anticipated, since putting original plans on hold back in 2008, due the economic downturn. Chairman Brown spoke to those hard decisions as well as the impact that this long awaited second hotel has already had, stating, “for us, this new hotel does represent the ability to have more room nights and stays, right here at the casino and that has already, just in these early days, proven itself out with the demand that has been placed on this new hotel. But it’s also important to the state, because it represents the 2,000 jobs as this went through the construction phase and represents 200 permanent jobs, as we extend our team members, into this facility, and keep it up and running.”
To help usher in the new hotel and speak to the importance of the strong relationship between Mohegan Sun and the State of Connecticut, additional special guests included Governor, Malloy, Lt. Governor, Nancy Wyman, Senator Richard Blumenthal and Congressman Joe Courtney. U.S. State Senator, Richard Blumenthal, in particular, concluded his remarks by stating, “In Washington, when I talk to colleague’s about what is happening to the Native American tribes in their state, they look, with reverence, and some envy, at what you have done here. It is a great American success story, not just in dollars and cents, not just in spectacular building, or in entertainment and enjoyment that you have brought to countless people, but in the triumph of hope, and vision over obstacles, that would have deterred others.”
Overcoming obstacles certainly was fitting, as over the course of the last couple of years, Mohegan Sun has turned away around 1 million hotel rooms in the iconic, 1,200-room Sky Tower. And with much excitement about the new expansion, and finally being able to provide guests with such a well-executed second hotel, Mohegan Sun President & GM, Ray Pineault, thanked all of the contributions and hard work as well as commenting that, “this new hotel gives us a better opportunity to serve the incredible demand we have witnessed in our twelve hundred room, SkyTower and really allows us to welcome in even more guests in and outside of the state, with many looking to make multi-night visits.” And Mohegan Sun’s President concluded the event with, “what started out in 1996 as a 170,000 square-foot Casino with just a smaller sized free music venue, and a few restaurants and shops, is now one of the largest, most impressive, all-encompassing gaming, entertainment and resort destinations in the world.”
Earth Tower’s design was modeled after the original Sky Tower, with the help of Architect group, Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates. Sitting along the Thames River, featuring 400 luxurious rooms, including 39 suites, the new hotel brings about some unique new features for guests. The lobby is home to various lounging areas along with Bean and Vine Café & Wine Bar, where guests can grab breakfast and a coffee in the morning, and relax with friends over a glass of wine or beer in the evening, all with a beautiful view. Located on the ground level, in front of the Tower, the outdoor Earth Tower Terrace will feature gas fire pits and satellite bar & food service, when weather permits. The space can also be utilized for private functions, including wedding receptions, anniversaries and more. Each room and suite will also be home to advanced in-room technology, including ultra-fast Wi-Fi, intelligent thermostats, dual-line telephones. Other amenities in Earth Tower include an all-new spa, fitness center and pool. All parking is free at Mohegan Sun as well, including hotel valet!
The access to Earth Tower is provided by way of two impressively designed connectors as well, allowing entry from the Winter entrance and from the original hotel lobby.
To learn more, visit Earth Tower!
Kohn Pedersen Fox (KPF), out of New York, was the architectural firm of record. KPF was also the master architect for Mohegan Sun’s 1,200-room Sky Tower, which opened in 2002. A/Z Corporation, with headquarters locally in North Stonington, Connecticut, was the general contractor for the project and has a long history of having completed various projects at Mohegan Sun.
ABOUT MOHEGAN SUN
Mohegan Sun, owned by the Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority, is one of the largest, most spectacular entertainment, gaming, dining and shopping destinations in the United States. Situated on 185 acres along the Thames River in scenic southeastern Connecticut, Mohegan Sun is home to three unique casinos, two hotel towers including the 34-story, 1,200-room luxurious Sky Tower as well as the recently opened, 400-room Earth Tower, a world-class spa and golf course, over 85 shops, restaurants and bars as well as three award-winning entertainment venues including a 10,000-seat Arena. Mohegan Sun is within easy access of New York, Boston, Hartford and Providence and located 15 minutes from the museums, antique shops and waterfront of Mystic Country. More information is available by calling 1.888.226.7711 or visiting mohegansun.com. Connect with us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter and view us on YouTube and find us on Snapchap at username Mohegansun.
Jan 27, 2016 | Breaking News, Employment, General News
La Center, Wash., – January 27, 2016 – The Cowlitz Indian Tribe, in collaboration with their partner, Mohegan
Sun, announced today that Kara Fox-LaRose has been appointed General Manager of the Cowlitz Project, the $500-million-dollar casino project that will be the West Coast’s premier gaming, dining, entertainment and meeting destination. With over 20 years of gaming and hospitality experience, Fox-LaRose will be responsible for day-to-day operations of the facility slated to open in spring 2017.
“We’re thrilled to appoint Kara Fox-LaRose to General Manager of the Cowlitz Tribe’s project,” said Bill Iyall, Chairman, Cowlitz Tribe. “She is a highly accomplished professional with deep experience in the gaming and entertainment industry, and we’re looking forward to having her leadership here in Southwest Washington. Her expertise in entertainment marketing, operational leadership and community building will be an incredible asset to our work here to advance the economy and vitality of the community.”
In her most recent role, Fox-LaRose served as Assistant General Manager of Mohegan Sun Pocono (MSP), in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. Named one of ‘America’s Best Employers, 2015’ by Forbes, MSP was Pennsylvania’s first casino, opening in November 2006, and exceeding the Commonwealth’s expectation in revenues and profitability. She was directly responsible for the planning and execution of a multi-million-dollar expansion that introduced a hotel, convention center, spa and lobby bar in 2013. In addition to being named one of Northeastern Pennsylvania Business Journal’s ‘Top 25 Women in Business,’ Global Gaming Business Magazine also recently named Fox-LaRose one of their 2016 ‘25 People to Watch.’
“Kara’s experience in various levels of management throughout her career at Mohegan Sun has readied her for this opportunity to lead the Cowlitz Tribe and Mohegan Sun in our joint effort to establish a premier entertainment and meeting destination,” said Bobby Soper, President of Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority (MTGA). “Her holistic appreciation of the business makes her the ideal candidate to introduce to the project the optimal business management practices that Mohegan Sun has to offer its valued partners.”
Over the next few months, efforts will be focused on developing the property’s brand, establishing the executive management team, securing retail and dining vendors and connecting with the community.
ABOUT THE COWLITZ TRIBE
The Cowlitz Tribe, headquartered in Longview, Wash., is a federally recognized tribe with over 4,000 tribal members. Since 2015, the Cowlitz Tribe has 152 acres of reservation land in Southwest Washington. The tribe is proud to provide health and human services to its tribal members, from housing assistance to education scholarships to award-winning health programs. More information is available by visiting www.cowlitz.org.
ABOUT THE COWLITZ PROJECT
The Cowlitz Project will be a premier entertainment, dining and meeting destination in the Pacific Northwest. Located in the heart of Southwest Washington off of the I-5 La Center exit, the 368,000-square-foot casino resort will include 100,000 square feet of gaming space, over 15 restaurants and retails shops, and eventually a 2,500-seat entertainment venue. More information is available by visiting www.cowlitzcasino.com.
ABOUT MOHEGAN TRIBAL GAMING AUTHORITY
The Authority is an instrumentality of the Mohegan Tribe of Indians of Connecticut, or the Tribe, a federally recognized Indian tribe with an approximately 595-acre reservation situated in southeastern Connecticut, adjacent to Uncasville, Connecticut. The Authority has been granted the exclusive authority to conduct and regulate gaming activities on the existing reservation of the Tribe, including the operation of Mohegan Sun, a gaming and entertainment complex located on an approximately 185-acre site on the Tribe’s reservation. Through its subsidiary, Downs Racing, L.P., the Authority also owns and operates Mohegan Sun Pocono, a gaming and entertainment facility located on an approximately 400-acre site in Plains Township, Pennsylvania. MTGA also manages Resorts Hotel and Casino in Atlantic City, New Jersey. More information about the Authority and its properties can be obtained by visiting www.mohegansun.com, www.mohegansunpocono.com or www.mtga.com.
Oct 6, 2015 | Employment, General News
UNCASVILLE, CT (October 6, 2015)- The Mohegan Sun Marketing Department recently promoted two employees to Director positions. Mohegan Sun is pleased to announce Kimberly Noto as the Director of Campaign Management and Analytics and Jesse Sturges as Director of Strategic Marketing.
Noto has been with Mohegan Sun since 2007. Prior to this promotion, Noto served as the Marketing Analysis Manager. Noto has also held several key positions within Marketing during her time with Mohegan Sun including Senior Marketing Analyst. Noto has worked hard to move Mohegan’s analytics capabilities into the 21st century, and she will continue those efforts throughout the entire marketing campaign process.
Noto received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Bryant University in Smithfield, Rhode Island. She went on to earn her Masters in Business Administration, Business Analytics from the University of Hartford in West Hartford, Connecticut.
Sturges has been with Mohegan Sun since 2008. Sturges started out as a Professional Development Program Associate where he rotated through various marketing departments to learn the role and strategy of putting together an effect marketing game plan. Prior to his promotion, Sturges most recently held the position of Revenue Management Manager. In his new position, Sturges is responsible for overseeing the Revenue Management and VIP Services departments as well as the development and implementation of revenue and profit maximization strategies.
Sturges received a Bachelor of Science, Business Management from Springfield College in Springfield, Massachusetts. In 2011 he earned a certificate in Hotel Revenue Management from Cornell University in Ithaca, New York.
About Mohegan Sun
Mohegan Sun, owned by the Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority, is one of the largest, most spectacular entertainment, gaming, dining and shopping destinations in the United States. Situated on 185 acres along the Thames River in scenic southeastern Connecticut, Mohegan Sun is home to three unique casinos, a 34-story, 1,200 room luxury hotel, a world-class spa and golf course, over 85 shops, restaurants and bars as well as three award-winning entertainment venues including a 10,000-seat Arena. Mohegan Sun is within easy access of New York, Boston, Hartford and Providence and located 15 minutes from the museums, antique shops and waterfront of Mystic Country. More information is available by calling 1.888.226.7711 or visiting mohegansun.com. Connect with us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter and view us on YouTube.
Jul 6, 2015 | Employment, General News
UNCASVILLE, CT (July 6, 2015)- It is with great pleasure that Mohegan Sun announce the promotion of David Martinelli to Chief Marketing Officer for Mohegan Sun. In this new position, Martinelli will set the Strategic Marketing Plan for Mohegan Sun. Additionally, Martinelli will oversee campaign management and analytics, strategic marketing, special events, promotions, loyalty programming, bus marketing, hotel sales, and player development.
Martinelli started out with Mohegan Sun in the Budgets department in 1999 after finishing his undergrad degree at Brown University. He was soon after promoted to the Financial Planning & Analysis Manager, where he served for four years. His career then took another big jump when he became the Business Manager for the Connecticut Sun WNBA team. The very next transition came in the form of Director of Business Operations for Sports & Entertainment where he resided for four years. Before his current promotion, Martinelli served as the VP of Customer Relationship Management in Marketing.
Martinelli takes on his new position in Marketing as we start through a challenging time that will see increased competition in the Northeast gaming market. He brings with him strong and diverse work experience as well as excellent leadership capabilities. Martinelli is a Rhode Island native and currently resides in North Kingstown with his wife, Kerry, and two sons, David and Daniel.
About Mohegan Sun
Mohegan Sun, owned by the Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority, is one of the largest, most spectacular entertainment, gaming, dining and shopping destinations in the United States. Situated on 185 acres along the Thames River in scenic southeastern Connecticut, Mohegan Sun is home to three unique casinos, a 34-story, 1,200 room luxury hotel, a world-class spa and golf course, over 85 shops, restaurants and bars as well as three award-winning entertainment venues including a 10,000-seat Arena. Mohegan Sun is within easy access of New York, Boston, Hartford and Providence and located 15 minutes from the museums, antique shops and waterfront of Mystic Country. More information is available by calling 1.888.226.7711 or visiting mohegansun.com. Connect with us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter and view us on YouTube.
