Press

February 5, 2007
BARONA VALLEY RANCH RESORT & CASINO HIRES LAS VEGAS GAMING EXECUTIVE TO MANAGE INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS

(San Diego, CA) January 5, 2007 – Barona Valley Ranch Resort & Casino has recently named Vio Nicola as Assistant General Manager of Information Technology. Nicola will oversee Barona’s award-winning technology-related initiatives including server-based gaming, bonusing programs, and table game systems.

“Guests of Barona have come to expect the most state-of-the-art gaming available and it is important to us to continue to exceed their expectations,” said Karol Schoen, General Manager of Barona Valley Ranch Resort & Casino. “Vio Nicola not only brings a wealth of experience, but also the shared passion to develop and offer our guests the latest innovations in casino technology.”

Nicola brings over 30 years of information technology management experience at several of the world’s most progressive gaming establishments to his position at Barona.  Most recently he served as corporate vice president of information technology for the Las Vegas-based entertainment and gaming company, Ameristar Casinos, which operates seven major casinos nationwide. As corporate vice president he was responsible for a comprehensive revamp of the company’s casino systems and technology infrastructure. In addition, Nicola facilitated gaming technology development for the launch of Ameristar’s newest $400 million casino property in St. Louis. Nicola was also responsible for developing revenue growth strategies, and creating and implementing the company’s data warehouse for its marketing, finance, construction and operational management departments.

Prior to Ameristar Casinos, Nicola served as vice president of operations and chief information officer for Adspace Networks, Inc., America’s largest in-mall audio/visual network, where he managed the nationwide rollout of operations for the information technology department and its field support organizations. Nicola negotiated capital lease agreements and developed several of the company’s software support programs for the deployment of thousands of Adspace products.

Nicola’s resume also includes positions at leading IT consulting firms Cap Gemini America, Cadence Design Systems and Vanstar Corporation, where he specialized in computer network infrastructure design for Fortune 1000 companies. He holds a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering and a master’s degree in control systems engineering from the Polytechnic Institute of Romania.

Regarded as a leader in technology innovation in the gaming industry, Barona Valley Ranch Resort & Casino has received numerous accolades for its programs including the 2006 Gaming Vision Award for Outstanding Achievement in Gaming Technology at the G2E Institute.

Blending the best of San Diego’s most elegant resorts with the gaming excitement of Las Vegas, the Barona Valley Ranch Resort & Casino is San Diego’s leading destination resort featuring 400 luxury guest rooms and suites, a 300,000 square foot casino, a lakefront wedding chapel, the AmBience Day Spa, a full-service events center, and the 18-hole championship Barona Creek Golf Club, rated the 3rd best resort course in California by Golfweek Magazine. For Barona Valley Ranch Resort & Casino reservations and information, visit www.barona.com or call toll free 888-7-BARONA (722-7662).