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| By Patricia Daddona, The Day, New London,
Conn.McClatchy-Tribune Regional News
Nov. 11, 2011--MASHANTUCKET -- Jens Baake, a hospitality executive with experience at Ameristar Casino Inc. and Disney, has joined Foxwoods Resort Casino as its vice president of food and beverages. "Jens is a strong addition to our team," said Scott C. Butera, Foxwoods' president and chief executive officer, in a statement. "He has a successful track record of developing and operating award-winning food and beverage venues in resort environments." Baake, vice president of hospitality for Ameristar Casinos Inc. since 2006, also spent years in this region as a student, educator and food executive. Earlier in his career, he held various managerial positions at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida. In his new role, Baake will work with Butera to develop policies and direct food and beverage activities and policies, according to Foxwoods. He will help create new food and beverage menus, select food and beverage products, and advise Butera on operating costs, budgets and forecasts. Ameristar's eight casino hotel properties primarily serve patrons in Colorado, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska and Nevada, the Ameristar website states. Baake is taking over for Joe Albanese, who will work with Baake as a director in the department, a spokesman for Foxwoods said in an email. "The change is part of the effort to develop new directions and strategies for key profit centers," the spokesman said. At Ameristar's Four Diamond Hotel, Baake had been in charge of restaurants, a bakery, banquets, casino beverage, retail, valet, and custodial services. Other experience includes general manager of Landry Restaurant's Downtown Aquarium in Houston, where he also helped open and re-envision the operations of several multi-million dollar properties including The Aquarium in Nashville, the Downtown Aquarium in Denver, and the Tower of Americas in San Antonio. ___ (c)2011 The Day (New London, Conn.) Visit The Day (New London, Conn.) at www.theday.com Distributed by MCT Information Services |