Virginia McDowell
President And Chief Operating Officer

Awarded the 2010 Lifetime Achievement Award at the Casino Marketing Conference in Las Vegas, and named Gaming Executive of the Year for 2009 by Casino Journal Magazine, Virginia McDowell has always performed at the top of her game. Among the top ten publicly-traded gaming corporations, she is the only female president and chief operating officer. Virginia’s achievements include combining nearly thirty years of casino experience with strong business skills and a demonstrated ability to communicate at every level.

Over the past ten years, Virginia has analyzed corporate strategy, researched customer trends and studied competitive markets resulting in a unique perspective among gaming operators. Since July 2007, Virginia has served as president and chief operating officer for Isle of Capri Casinos, Inc. Her proven leadership experience in both regional and destination markets are coupled with success in the areas of operations, information technology, business development, and marketing, including sales, corporate communications and branding. She spent sixteen years working in the Atlantic City market before joining Argosy Gaming Company in Alton, Ill. as a member of the turnaround management team.  From 2005 through 2007, Virginia served as executive vice president and chief information officer for Trump Entertainment Resorts, Inc.

Community service has long been a part of Virginia’s life and her leadership extends outside the office. She currently serves on the Board of Directors at Haven House St. Louis. She was the founding board chair and president of Gilda’s Club St. Louis, and previously filled the role of president of AMC Cancer Research, where she received the agency’s award for her contribution to the cancer community. She was also a founding member of Winning Women, a partnership with the St. Louis County Economic Council.

A 1980 graduate of Temple University in Philadelphia with a bachelor’s degree in communications, Virginia is a member of Temple's Presidents Advisory Board. She is also a member of the Regional Business Council in St. Louis, a board member at Churchill Center & School, and a member of the Executive Advisory Board of the John Cook School of Business at Saint Louis University.

Within the gaming industry, Virginia sits on the board of directors for the American Gaming Association and the board of trustees of the National Center for Responsible Gaming.  She previously served as a member of the Conference Advisory Board for the Global Gaming Expo, as well as a speaker and session moderator.

Her hard work has been recognized with several prestigious industry awards.  In 2008, Virginia was selected as one of Global Gaming Business’ “25 People to Watch” and was also named one of Casino Enterprise Management magazine's "2007 Great Women of Gaming.” She has also been honored regionally as one of the 2008 Winning Women Regional Economic Development Award winners, as well as one of the St. Louis Business Journal’s “Most Influential Business Women” in 2004 and was also selected as one of Atlantic City’s 10 Power Brokers by Casino Connection magazine in 2006.