NIAGARA FALLS, NY – As part of a strategic organizational evolution, Seneca Resorts & Casinos has appointed four long-time team members to key corporate leadership positions.
Joanne Israel, most recently GM at Seneca Niagara Resort & Casino, was named Chief Strategy Officer; Linda Hitchcock, most recently GM at Seneca Allegany Resort & Casino, was named SVP of Food & Beverage; Chama Darcy, most recently Executive Director of Hotel Operations at Seneca Allegany Resort & Casino, was named Corporate VP of Food & Beverage; and Peter Maybee, VP of Corporate Security, had his responsibilities expanded to include oversight of security strategy at all three of the company’s properties. All four are enrolled members of the Seneca Nation.
The appointments are part of Seneca Resorts & Casinos’ new Centers of Excellence organizational model. The company is creating strategic responsibility for key revenue drivers and customer service into corporate roles with enterprise-wide oversight and responsibility. The Centers of Excellence model is designed to improve overall focus on customer service and service delivery, while also identifying operational efficiencies, creating appropriate consistencies across all properties, and aiding in talent identification and development for succession planning.
“As we approach our 25th year, we are creating a model that not only focuses on service delivery and driving revenue growth, but one that promotes sustainable success in the rapidly-changing gaming, hospitality and entertainment environment for the next quarter century and beyond,” said Kevin Nephew, Seneca Resorts & Casinos President & CEO. “Joanne, Linda, Chama and Peter are accomplished professionals and visionary, committed and respected leaders within our organization. We are excited for them to take on their new leadership roles as we chart this important new path.”
Israel joined Seneca Resorts & Casinos in 2011 and has held numerous leadership roles across the organization. She was named GM at Seneca Niagara Resort & Casino in 2022. Her previous roles included Assistant GM of Seneca Niagara Resort & Casino, GM of Seneca Buffalo Creek Casino, Corporate Director of Finance, and Casino Controller.
Hitchcock joined the team at Seneca Allegany Resort & Casino in 2004, the year the property opened, and has served as its GM since 2018. She has held leadership roles at all three Seneca Resorts & Casinos properties, including GM at Seneca Buffalo Creek Casino, VP of Food & Beverage and Resorts, VP of Food & Beverage, and Director of Restaurants & Catering at Seneca Allegany Resort & Casino, and Director of Food & Beverage at Seneca Niagara Resort & Casino.
Darcy will work with Hitchcock to develop food and beverage strategy and brand standards across Seneca Resorts & Casinos’ three properties. She joined the company in 2006 with more than a decade of national and international experience working in New York, California, Florida and Mexico. Her leadership journey has included roles as Beverage & Remote Outlet Manager at Seneca Niagara Resort & Casino, Director of Hospitality at Seneca Buffalo Creek Casino, and Executive Director of Hotel Operations at Seneca Allegany Resort & Casino.
Maybee joined Seneca Resorts & Casinos in 2013, overseeing security operations at Seneca Niagara Resort & Casino and Seneca Buffalo Creek Casino. Prior to joining the company, he served 20 years with the United States Department of Interior, Bureau of Indian Affairs, where he led law enforcement, criminal justice and homeland security operations for Native Nations across the country.
