KARA FOX-LaROSE
PRESIDENT & GENERAL MANAGER
Kara Fox-LaRose has 26 years of experience in the casino and hospitality industry, including many high-profile roles. Currently, Fox-LaRose is the President and General Manager of ilani in Ridgefield, Washington, where she is responsible for the overall directional planning and operational results of the property. She led all aspects of opening the $500+ million high volume casino and entertainment complex in 2017 and has been a driving force of the award-winning property ever since. She and her team strive to continue developing ilani into a world class destination, adding the Cowlitz Ballroom in 2018, the Cowlitz Crossing Fuel & Convenience store in 2019, and the 2,600-space parking garage and are preparing for the opening of a 300-room luxury hotel complex. Fox-LaRose is an active member in the Southwest Washington community where she currently serves on multiple boards and committees such as board participation with the Columbia River Economic Development Council. She is also a strong proponent for responsible gambling, serving as a board member for the Evergreen Council on Problem Gambling.
JAMES DOUGHERTY
ASSISTANT GENERAL MANAGER
Dougherty, as assistant general manager at ilani, is tasked with providing direct support to the general manager, on top of developing, implementing and monitoring strategic plans in order to achieve larger organizational goals. Having served in multiple roles as a leading executive in various gaming jurisdictions, Dougherty brings more than 30 years of gaming industry experience to the table. He has been a guest lecturer at notable Universities such as Penn State and Johnson and Wales, and holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Richard Stockton College in New Jersey.
Gina St. George
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
Gina St. George is a Certified Public Accountant with over thirty years of combined public accounting, hospitality, and gaming industry experience. Gina spent over a decade in hospitality operations before launching a public accounting career where she was first introduced to the gaming industry. Prior positions include Controller and Director of Finance at two tribally owned casinos. Current areas of responsibility include financial reporting and analysis, budgeting, operational accounting, player services, credit and compliance. St. George joined ilani just after opening and has a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from Central Washington University.
AARON FISHER
VICE PRESIDENT OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Aaron Fisher joined ilani as the Vice President of Information Technology and has a proven track record of leading technology solutions and teams within the gaming and hospitality industry. Aaron has over 16 years’ experience leading technology solutions in the gaming and hospitality industry with over 26 years of combined technology experience. Aaron started his career in the US Air Force where he learned the value of a team and that nothing is impossible.
Aaron has held previous positions with Northern Quest Casino and Hard Rock where he led teams and was a part of numerous casino and hotel expansion and new builds. Most recently, as a part of Hard Rock, Aaron was the Vice President of IT Operations where, along with his new build responsibility, he oversaw IT operations for the 11 casinos and 66 cafes under the Hard Rock portfolio. Aaron holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business IT Management and is the proud father of 4 wonderful children.
TAYLOR MORELLI
VICE PRESIDENT OF ADMINISTRATION
She started her gaming and hospitality career at Mohegan Sun Pocono in 2006 and was part of the opening team for the first casino to the state of Pennsylvania. Moving to the beautiful state of Washington in 2016 to be a part of another casino opening was a blessing for Taylor as she finds being part of an opening team exhilarating and very rewarding.
Taylor came from a corporate retail management background that served her start well as a buyer for the Purchasing Division. Throughout the last 16 years she was successful in the startup and office management as the Table Games Operations Supervisor. She was also successful in leading not only the Purchasing Division but also the Retail, Wardrobe, Leased Properties, Warehouse and Receiving, Casino Beverage, and the Fuel and Convenience Store Divisions which all continue to fall under her charge. As the Vice President of Administration, other divisions she is also responsible for supporting are Environmental Services, Facilities, Utilities, Shared Services and Executive Office Management.
Taylor is a proud veteran of the US Navy where she worked as a Builder in the Navy Construction Battalion (Seabees) as well as held the title of Safety Petty Officer for her deployment in Sicily where she met her husband and has been married for over 22 years. Taylor enjoys playing tennis with her family and binge-watching a good Netflix series.
LOUIS SPETRINO
VICE PRESIDENT OF GAMING OPERATIONS
Lou has worked his way up through the ranks of the gaming industry starting as a dealer in 1992. He was fortunate enough to have been part of several casino openings including Foxwoods in 1992, Mohegan Sun in 1996, followed by MGM Grand at Foxwoods in 2008 and the Parq in Vancouver, Canada in 2017. He has held the title of VP of Casino Operations for the last 6 years. Lou’s proudest accomplishment was when he received accolades from BCLC (British Columbia Lottery Commission) for the best opening in British Columbia history. They opened a brand new $850 million destination resort and casino in downtown Vancouver, CA; they did this during challenging market conditions but were still able to open on time and not only met, but exceeded all of BCLC’s budgeted expectations as well as customer service goals. Now, Lou brings his vast experience in the gaming industry to ilani!