In mid-February, the AMOA-NDA announced the induction of two industry constants into the group’s Hall of Fame: Judy Mehle of BMW Billiards and longtime NDA Executive Director Leslie Murphy. Murphy and Mehle will become the 25th and 26th members of the prestigious group this spring during the NDA Team Dart tourney (May 3-9) with reception honoring their achievements held on May 8. NDA officials also noted that this marks the first time two women have been nominated for the honor in the same year.
Author: Casey Minter
Sega’s latest action adventure game, Transformers Shadow Rising, was unveiled to an excited Amusement Expo crowd last week, and the company says buyers were amped. The game is a followup on Sega’s previous licensed game Transformers Human Alliance, and features recognizable locations from across the world, as well as plenty of heroes and villains from the popular franchise. Sega CEO Paul Williams said: “We’re very proud to be working with Hasbro on Shadows Rising. The blockbuster Transformers films have been a hit with fans around the globe, making this iconic brand a worldwide phenomenon. With the new Bumblebee movie debuting…
The New Jersey Amusement Association (NJAA) hosted its annual East Coast Gift & Variety Show in Atlantic City Feb. 21-22, bringing operators from that part of the country in for a sneak peek at what many manufacturers would show in Vegas a week later. The NJAA was held at the Golden Nugget Hotel and Casino in Atlantic City where guests enjoyed speaking with manufacturers about new game releases, while being able to test out the pieces for themselves. The NJAA covers not only coin-op and larger parks, but various segments of the tourism industry, and attendees included owners, partners, managers…
Former Shaffer Distributing sales rep Mike Carr has joined Apple Industries as the company’s Senior Director for New Business Development. Carr previously worked out of Shaffer’s St. Louis office, and he fits in fine with Apple Industries’ licensed MLB content having spent 10 years in baseball with the Oakland Athletics and the Florida Marlins. (He also managed key Midwest markets for Adidas/Reebok, working with collegiate and professional sports teams and retailers.) “We’re delighted to bring Mike aboard in this newly-created position,” said Apple CEO Allen Weisberg. “Working closely with our Vice President of Distribution and FECs Kris Link, he will…
Ray Kassar, one of Atari Games’ early presidents, died Dec. 10 at his home in Vero Beach, Fla. This buttoned-down businessman was named company chief shortly after Warner Communications bought the company in 1978. Kassar eventually became its board chairman and during his tenure, enjoyed watching their Asteroids video game capture the top spot in sales at Atari distributors as one of the pre-boom hits that continue to enjoy an iconic reputation today.
Ken Phillips, Director of Operations for Family Fun Companies, passed away suddenly and unexpectedly on Feb. 21 while attending the F2FEC industry conference in Colorado. Ken, who previously served as general manager of the Enchanted Castle, was just 51 years old. Ken is survived by his mom Nancy, brother Kevin, aunt Judith Beckett, cousins Christy (Mike) Davis and John Beckett, along with their families. He was cherished by his many friends and coworkers, among them Family Fun Companies President Frank Sikora who said he and the team were still trying to understand and accept the loss of their friend. Services were held…
Richard Hohman, 87, passed away from natural causes Feb. 27. For many decades, Mr. Hohman was the principal of Royal Leisure Corp., a jukebox and games route on Long Island, N.Y. Hohman was a long-time member and an enthusiastic participant in AMOA-NY, and as a member and business owner, he was widely-known and well-regarded. A resident of East Northport, Hohman is survived by his wife, Connie, his children and grandchildren. Funeral visitation arrangements (Branch Funeral Home, 190 East Main Street, Smithtown, N.Y.) were held March 1, March 2 and March 3 at 11 a.m. A private cremation followed. Learn more…
Allison Frey has joined Team Play to work in sales account and business development management roles within the Elk Grove Village, Ill., company (she’s based out of Dallas, Texas). Previously, she worked as a sales rep for Rowe Bill Changers. “I am very excited to have the opportunity to join a team of people with such impressive backgrounds,” said Allison. “I look forward to continuing to provide the outstanding sales support that Team Play has become known for.” Company CEO Ed Pellegrini said, “We’re thrilled to have Allison join Team Play. Her experience, enthusiasm, and commitment to excellence will help…
The “M” word is one we hear over and over as those born between 1980 and ’96 continue to drive the economy. For many, understanding this tech-enabled, social generation has been a struggle, with multitudes of seminars, articles and more dedicated to learning how to attract and entertain them. Luckily, Bob Cooney and Kylie Savage have recently released a white paper detailing data about Millennials. The paper goes into the many motivations of the diverse age group, and how companies have successfully tapped into their wallets. The paper delves into their perceived value of transparency, their hesitance to make big…
One of the most well-liked distributor salesmen ever to grace the coin machine industry died the evening of Feb. 25 when Betson/Specialty’s Kent Larsen succumbed to prostate cancer. Kent was at home with family when he passed on, after battling the same disease that took his brother Stan some years ago when the two of them worked at Struve Distributing in Salt Lake City. (He’s pictured with Ingrid Milkes during the 2015 Bowl Expo.) According to Specialty GM Mike McWilliams, Kent worked his familiar Utah-based territory phoning and calling on operator-customers right up until December even though he’d been diagnosed…