Zest Gaming of Italy has announced the appointment of John Connelly as CEO.

As the former vice president international for Bally Technologies, Connelly was directly responsible for the company’s expansion to numerous new markets, revitalization of lapsed strongholds and the delivery of dynamic business growth, both in terms of percentage of floor and performance of product around the world.

With 18 years of gaming experience and nominated as one of the “Top 25 People To Watch” by Global Gaming Business in 2010, Connelly’s contributions involved taking Bally’s international business from under 5 percent of total revenue to nearly 20 percent in less than 4 years. During that period, Bally’s revenues doubled.

Connelly will remain a senior consultant to Bally’s executives for at least two years, focusing on significant international projects.

Zest Gaming further announced two additional appointments, which are expected to significantly enhance the company’s management team and prepare it for a new stage of growth within the Latin American and European markets.

Norma Da Silva, former sales director of IGT Latin America, has been named vice president Latin America for Zest. Da Silva has extensive product and market knowledge and unrivaled understanding of the needs of local operators, having joined IGT in 1999.

The third appointment is Madlen Aleksandrova as director of sales & marketing Europe for Zest. Aleksandrova proved herself in a similar role at Euro Games Technology in recent years, where she was instrumental in opening new markets and establishing brand awareness.

By GGB Staff

Staff writers for Global Gaming Business magazine. Las Vegas, Nevada.