RENO, Nev., Dec. 2 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- International Game Technology (NYSE: IGT) has named Robert Melendres chief legal officer and corporate secretary, and Craig Billings chief of staff and head of corporate development. Melendres and Billings previously held positions at IGT as chief of staff and vice president of corporate finance and investor relations, respectively. Melendres' corporate secretary appointment is subject to regulatory approval.

Melendres joined IGT as chief of staff in June 2009. Melendres' experience focuses on the legal, strategic and corporate development pillars of numerous companies. His roles and positions have been varied, and have all played a part in the re-inventing and re-engineering of the companies for which he's worked. He has served as executive vice president, chief legal officer, secretary and business development at Spansion, Inc.; corporate vice president, corporate development, strategic alliances and legal affairs at Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.; president and general counsel of Webgain, Inc.; and legal counsel and director of worldwide contracts and business practices at IBM. He received a Juris Doctor from Harvard Law School and an undergraduate degree in economics from UCLA.

"Robert is a valuable asset to our company," IGT President and CEO Patti S. Hart said. "He brings his unique legal experience and expertise that will propel IGT toward success. His skill and talents will help to take our business to the next level."

Billings joined IGT in March 2009 as vice president of corporate finance and investor relations. He previously was with Goldman Sachs and last served as a vice president in the investment banking division in London covering the gaming and leisure industries. Prior to that, he worked for Goldman Sachs in New York and in Deloitte's audit and assurance division. Billings has an MBA from Columbia Business School and an undergraduate degree from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

"Craig has a long history in gaming," Hart said. "His industry knowledge and experience will give IGT an edge in our corporate development efforts, and I am pleased to have Craig assuming this broader assignment as chief of staff."

About IGT

International Game Technology (www.IGT.com) is a global company specializing in the design, development, manufacturing, distribution and sales of computerized gaming machines and systems products.

Statements in this release, which are not historical facts, are "forward looking" statements under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Although IGT believes that the expectations reflected in any of its forward-looking statements are reasonable, actual results could differ materially from those projected or assumed. IGT's future financial condition and results of operations, as well as any forward-looking statements, are subject to change and to inherent known and unknown risks and uncertainties. IGT does not intend, and undertakes no obligation, to update forward-looking statements to reflect future events or circumstances.

Information on risks and factors that could affect IGT's business and financial results are included in their public filings made with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

SOURCE IGT