Stephen J. Szapor, Jr.
Principal

Stephen Szapor, Jr.'s hallmarked career in gaming operations has given him the combination of hands-on experience and analytical ability to consistently advise clients on the most appropriate course of action. When Steve joined The Innovation Group in 2001, he already had over eighteen years of operations experience in the gaming industry, having steered a number of complex restructurings and turnarounds. As a principal in Innovation Project Development, he can provide clients with a high level of strategic planning in developing the most appropriate project concept from the outset.

As head of The Innovation Group, Steve works with a variety of clients, large and small, on concept strategies, high-level financial planning, primary market research, operational and marketing consulting, and feasibility and market analysis. Prior to joining The Innovation Group, Steve was President, CEO and a member of the Board of Directors of publicly traded Colorado Gaming & Entertainment Company and its predecessor company, Hemmetter Enterprises, Inc. In these positions, Steve took the company through a complex reorganization that led to emergence from bankruptcy as a public company in 1996, reaching record revenues and profits. He was instrumental in facilitating the sale of the company to the Ladbroke Group, PLC in 1998.

As Chief Operating Officer/Chief Financial Officer and a member of the Board of Directors of the publicly-held Sahara Gaming Corporation, Steve had responsibility for six casinos and more than 3,000 employees. During this time, he raised over $300 million in new debt and equity capital for the company, opening several new riverboat operations and completing a major renovation of the company's Santa Fe Hotel & Casino.

At Hollywood Casino Corporation, he supervised the departments of direct marketing, advertising, market research and public relations for the company's Sands Hotel & Casino in Atlantic City, a facility generating over $250 million in annual revenues. In addition, as Vice President of Strategic Planning, Steve played an integral role in the development and pre-opening plans for the company's Aurora, Illinois riverboats.

Steve began his career with Arthur Andersen & Co. where he completed numerous auditing and consulting engagements for the firm's gaming and banking clients. Prior to this, he worked for Merrill Lynch & Co. as a Senior Investment Analyst.

Steve holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Villanova University and has completed graduate studies at New York University. He is a Certified Public Accountant and has received a key Gaming License/Finding of Suitability from the states of New Jersey, Nevada, Mississippi, and Colorado. He is the recent past Chairman of the Board-Colorado Tourism Office, and has taught Resort and Tourism Marketing at the University of Denver's School of Hotel Restaurant & Tourism Management.