Delaware North establishes Office of the Chief Executive and announces associated senior leadership appointments

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Mar 12, 2015, 05:00 ET

BUFFALO, N.Y., March 12, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Jeremy M. Jacobs, chairman, and Louis Jacobs and Jeremy Jacobs Jr., co-chief executive officers, of Delaware North today announced the establishment of the Office of the Chief Executive for the global hospitality and food service company.

Delaware North, a global leader in hospitality and food service, has named Rick Abramson executive vice president and chief operating officer.

Delaware North, a global leader in hospitality and food service, has named Chris Feeney as executive vice president and chief financial officer.

Delaware North, a global leader in hospitality and food service, has named Rajat Shah executive vice president, general counsel, secretary and external affairs.

The Office of the Chief Executive reports to Delaware North's chairman, Jeremy Jacobs, and will focus on strategic growth, both organic and through new business acquisition, strategic planning, corporate governance and financial management to assure both short- and long-term value to Delaware North as it prepares to celebrate its 100^th anniversary later this year.

The Office of the Chief Executive will also focus on the effective transition of the responsibilities of Charles E. Moran, president and formerly chief operating officer, as he prepares to retire at the end of the year. Moran will provide counsel and oversight to the new chief operating officer during the transition this year. He has held the post for over a decade, providing leadership and strategic guidance to the company's operations, resulting in record profits and growth.

Several senior executives have been elevated to the Office of the Chief Executive and will report to Co-Chief Executive Officers Jeremy Jacobs Jr. and Louis Jacobs.

Rick Abramson, currently president of Delaware North's parks and resorts business, as well as executive chairman of its operations in Australia and Asia, has been appointed executive vice president of Delaware North and will assume chief operating officer responsibilities from Moran. Abramson will have management responsibility for Delaware North's business operations around the world and will be accountable for driving business performance through the company's global portfolio of operations, including its sports, parks, airports, gaming and restaurant and hospitality businesses.

Abramson has been with Delaware North for more than 40 years and has led many businesses within Delaware North's portfolio of operating subsidiaries, including as president of Delaware North's parks and resorts business and of Delaware North Sportservice. His international experience and his ability to grow and sustain businesses have been important factors toward Delaware North's overall success.

Christopher Feeney, currently chief financial officer, has been appointed to executive vice president and chief financial officer. Feeney will continue to lead Delaware North's global financial strategy, including relationships with financial institutions. Feeney also oversees Delaware North's tax, internal audit and facilities management departments.

Feeney joined Delaware North in 2009 and has since brought strong financial management governance and systems to Delaware North. In addition, Feeney was instrumental in the acquisition of Patina Restaurant Group and has led the company's financing and private placement efforts, as well as introduced new financial management strategies and programs to Delaware North's business operations.

Rajat Shah, currently general counsel and vice president of external affairs, has been appointed to executive vice president, general counsel, secretary and external affairs. Shah leads the legal function for Delaware North and provides advice and counsel to senior management in all legal matters involving Delaware North and its operations. In addition to oversight of the legal area, Shah maintains leadership of the company's external affairs, corporate governance, compliance and security.

Shah joined Delaware North in 2011 to lead the company's strategic growth and development and in 2013 moved into his current role. Shah has been instrumental in leading the company's strategic growth agenda, as well as developing a world-class legal and external affairs program.

The company also announced its intent to begin a search for an executive vice president and chief administrative officer. This new position is expected to be part of the Office of the Chief Executive and will oversee human resources, marketing, information technology and other support areas within the Delaware North's corporate structure.

Delaware North has experienced unprecedented growth and success in the last several years, including its recent re-entry into Asia and the acquisition of Patina Restaurant Group, one of the leading restaurant and catering companies in the United States. Delaware North will celebrate several important events in 2015, including its 100^th anniversary and the opening of its new global headquarters in Buffalo, N.Y.

About Delaware North
Delaware North is one of the largest and most admired privately-held hospitality companies in the world. Founded and owned by the Jacobs family for nearly 100 years, it is a global leader in hospitality and food service with subsidiary and affiliate operations in the sports, travel hospitality, restaurants and catering, parks, resorts, gaming and specialty retail industries. Its portfolio includes high-profile venues ranging from sports stadiums, entertainment complexes, national parks, restaurants, airports, and some of the top regional casinos in the country. The company also owns a selection of award-winning destination resorts, as well as a series of premium restaurants and catering services that are leaders in the industry. Delaware North has annual revenue of $3 billion with 60,000 employee associates serving half a billion guests in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, and Asia. "Delaware North" is a reference to Delaware North Companies Inc. and its affiliates and subsidiaries, including location-specific operating entities.

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SOURCE Delaware North