GGB is committed to providing updated news and analysis on our weekly news site, GGBNews.com.

Leadership Change at Everi

Everi Ousts President and CEO Ram Chary; board member Michael D. Rumbolz (l.) named interim CEO during executive search

Leadership Change at Everi

Before the opening of the stock market on February 16, Everi Holdings announced that its board has voted to replace Ram Chary as the company’s president and CEO.

Chary was CEO of cash-access and payment company Global Cash Access when it acquired the former Multimedia Games, and was responsible for merging Multimedia’s slot manufacturing business with the former GCA to form Everi. A longtime executive in payment and financial technology at Fidelity National Information Services prior to GCA, Chary left the operations of each former company intact under the new Everi brand, while marketing slots along with ATMs, kiosks and financial services under the new Everi brand.

Everi gave no reason for Chary’s ouster, other than a statement from board Chairman E. Miles Kilburn saying, “While this was a difficult decision, the board believes this move is in the company’s best interest.”

The company has named Michael D. Rumbolz, a member of its board of directors since 2010, as interim president and CEO during an executive search for Chary’s replacement.

Rumbolz is a veteran gaming executive who previously was CEO of Cash Systems, Inc., an Everi competitor the company acquired in 2008. He also was chairman of groundbreaking system company Casino Data Systems (now part of Aristocrat), CEO of slot manufacturer Anchor Gaming (now part of IGT), and chairman of the Nevada Gaming Control Board.

According to the company’s announcement, the board will consider internal and external candidates in its search for a permanent CEO.

“Our search committee is working diligently to identify a qualified successor for the role of permanent CEO, and during the interim I will work directly with our talented executive team to ensure there are no disruptions to our daily business operations,” Rumbolz said in the company statement. “I will continue to execute the existing corporate strategy in our games and payments businesses for the gaming industry, and given the strength of our offerings and the market opportunities available to us, I feel confident about our long-term potential to drive growth and shareholder value.”

Initial reaction to the move in financial markets was cautiously optimistic. “While the announcement could result in an initial positive reaction in the shares from the market given the recent weakness,” wrote David Katz of Telsey Advisory Group in an investor note, “we believe a measured approach to the shares pending further insight is necessary before becoming more fundamentally constructive.

“We believe the focus of the interim management team will be to review the progress of the current strategy rather than to redirect it. More specifically, the progress of increasing distribution on the gaming side through broadening the licensed gaming offerings. As well, accelerating the product development process and maintaining current standing with casino customers is likely a key focus.”

Everi reaffirmed its expectation that 2015 adjusted EBITDA will be within the previously provided range of $200 million, although Katz wrote that TAG’s estimates for Everi are now under review.

    Recent Feature Articles

  • Your Friend, Everi

    The supplier’s quest to raise all tides and all boats.

  • Gambling on the Mediterranean

    There are more gaming options in the region than expected, but things are about to change with massive projects planned for Greece and the Emirates

  • Threat or Opportunity?

    Gaming in the metaverse will look different than today’s gaming, but will it add value to the existing gaming companies, attract more players and pass regulatory scrutiny?

  • A Force in Sports Betting

    The third annual Bet Bash was designed by founder Gadoon “Spanky” Kyrollos to make gamblers better at wagering on sports

  • Problem Gambling Treatments Gain Ground

    Problem gambling wasn’t classified as a psychiatric disorder until 1980, but treatments are evolving and becoming more effective