Jan. 13–Boyd Gaming Corp. this week announced some major leadership changes, with three people promoted to higher-level positions and one longtime executive retiring later this year.
The company said today that Josh Hirsberg, Steve Thompson and Ted Bogich have been appointed executive vice presidents, effective immediately. The promotions follow Boyd's announcement Tuesday that Robert Boughner, executive vice president and chief business development officer, will retire later this year.
Hirsberg, Thompson and Bogich step into their new roles after serving as senior vice presidents and will continue to report to chief executive Keith Smith, the company said in a statement.
Hirsberg has been with Boyd since 2008, when he began as the company's senior vice president, chief financial officer and treasurer. He's now executive vice president, chief financial officer and treasurer and will continue to lead Boyd's financial work, such as its accounting, budgeting and investor relations.
Thompson joined the company in 1983 and has held various senior executive positions since then, including being senior vice president of operations for Boyd in Nevada since 2004. Now, as executive vice president of operations, he will continue overseeing the company's operations in Nevada and will also be in charge of some corporate areas such as administration and slot operations.
Bogich, meanwhile, came to Boyd in 2004 to be vice president and general manager of Sam's Town Tunica in Mississippi. In 2007, he was appointed to the same title at the Blue Chip hotel-casino in Michigan City, Ind., and in 2012 he was appointed to oversee five of Boyd's properties in four states.
He's now been named executive vice president of operations to lead operations at company properties in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana and Mississippi. Bogich also is taking control of corporate marketing and design and construction work for Boyd.
"Over the last several years, Josh, Steve and Ted have all played integral roles in successfully guiding Boyd Gaming through challenging times, and returning our company to strong, sustained growth," Smith said in the statement.
As for Boughner, Boyd said Tuesday he will stay on the board of directors after he retires this summer. He joined the company in 1976 and has filled multiple senior roles since then, including serving as chief operating officer from 1990 to 2001.
In that position, he helped lead the company through a period in which it opened or acquired eight properties around the country, according to a Boyd statement. Boughner was also president and CEO of the Borgata in Atlantic City for a time.
In his current post, which he has held since 2012, Boughner leads "a variety of business development initiatives," including a push to redevelop nongambling amenities, the statement said.
"Bob has been an immensely important contributor to Boyd Gaming's success over the last 40 years," Executive Chairman Bill Boyd said in the statement. "He played a key role in the growth and evolution of our company, helping guide us with his vision and leadership. I am deeply grateful to Bob for his extraordinary service to Boyd Gaming, and I wish him continued happiness and success in the next chapter of his life."
Boughner, for his part, said in the statement that he was honored to be part of Boyd and looked forward to continue being involved on the board.
