Accel Entertainment Details Senior Management Changes
Accel Entertainment has announced a series of changes to its senior management team, including Andy Rubenstein stepping down as CEO and president.
Rubenstein, the founder of Accel, has been appointed chairman of the company’s board. This will see him exit his current role August 7.
Mark Phelan, who has been serving as president of U.S. gaming, will succeed Rubenstein as CEO. He has also taken on the additional role of chief operating officer and will join Accel’s board.
In addition, Karl Peterson will become lead independent director of the Accel board. He was previously independent chairman of the board.
Accel Committed to ‘Leadership Succession Strategy’
In a statement, Accel said that the changes reflect its commitment to “strong corporate governance” and a “leadership succession strategy.” Rubenstein added that the new-look management team will support the company’s growth plans.
Under his leadership, Accel has grown into a public company operating across 10 states. It has partnerships with over 4,600 local retail businesses and employs more than 1,600 people.
“After 17 years, and having built a deep bench of talent, I am confident that transitioning day-to-day leadership to Mark will enable Accel to continue to capitalize on our many growth opportunities,” Rubenstein said.
“As chairman, I look forward to continuing my close work with Mark and the board, as we look to extend Accel’s position as an industry leader and build new value for shareholders.”
Incoming CEO Phelan added: “Accel has a strong foundation, long-standing partnerships, and a culture built on accountability. My focus will be on execution, improving the experience for our location owners and players, driving consistent performance across our markets, operating with discipline, identifying and capitalizing on growth opportunities, and working to create long-term value for shareholders.
“I am honored Andy and the board have selected me to lead Accel. I am excited to build on Andy’s long-term goal to make Accel the clear leader in the US locals gaming market.”
