LAS VEGAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Shuffle Master, Inc. (NASDAQ Global Select Market: SHFL) (“Shuffle Master” or the “Company”) today announced the appointment of David Lopez to the role of Chief Operating Officer (“COO”) and Corporate Officer. Mr. Lopez will be responsible for the Company’s operational leadership, with Shuffle Master’s various foreign subsidiaries reporting directly to him along with executives responsible for Sales, Marketing, R&D, and Operations. He most recently served as Executive Vice President of Shuffle Master.

“Over the past 12 years David has had an invaluable impact on Shuffle Master’s success and his insight into all facets of our business uniquely qualifies him to perform the duties of Chief Operating Officer,” stated Phillip C. Peckman, Chief Executive Officer.

“I appreciate all of the opportunities that Shuffle Master has provided to me during my 12-year tenure,” said Lopez. “When you look at the impressive lineup of innovative products and services that Shuffle Master is poised to deliver over the next several years, it makes for a very promising future.”

Shuffle Master also announced the promotion of Kim Vukanovich to Senior Vice President of Operations and Administration. Ms. Vukanovich joined Shuffle Master in 2006, and as Vice President of Finance was focused on improving the Company’s operations, financial projections and budgeting processes. Kim also served as CFO of Shuffle Master Australasia in 2007 and 2008. Ms. Vukanovich will continue reporting to Mr. Lopez and is now responsible for all Service, Information Technology and Human Resources functions, with a near term focus on continuing to strengthen the Company’s operations to support Shuffle Master’s continued growth.

“Shuffle Master is fortunate to have two individuals of David’s and Kim’s caliber to step into the COO and SVP positions and work as a team. Both individuals have significant experience and well established track records, and we are confident that their leadership will continue to successfully move Shuffle Master forward in the future,” Peckman said.

About Shuffle Master, Inc.

Shuffle Master, Inc. is a gaming supply company specializing in providing its casino customers with improved profitability, productivity and security, as well as popular and cutting-edge gaming entertainment content, through value-add products in four distinct categories: Utility products which include automatic card shuffler, roulette chip sorters and intelligent table system modules, Proprietary Table Games which include live table game tournaments, Electronic Table Systems which include various e-Table game platforms and Electronic Gaming Machines which include traditional video slot machines for select markets. The Company is included in the S&P Smallcap 600 Index. Information about the Company and its products can be found on the Internet at www.shufflemaster.com.

Forward Looking Statements

This release contains forward-looking statements that are based on management’s current beliefs and expectations about future events, as well as on assumptions made by and information available to management. The Company considers such statements to be made under the safe harbor created by the federal securities laws to which it is subject, and assumes no obligation to update or supplement such statements. Forward-looking statements reflect and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from expectations. Risk factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from expectations include, but are not limited to, the following: the Company’s intellectual property or products may be infringed, misappropriated, invalid, or unenforceable, or subject to claims of infringement, invalidity or unenforceability, or insufficient to cover competitors' products; the gaming industry is highly regulated and the Company must adhere to various regulations and maintain its licenses to continue its operations; the search for and possible transition to a new chief executive officer could be disruptive to the Company’s business or simply unsuccessful; the Company’s ability to implement its ongoing strategic plan successfully is subject to many factors, some of which are beyond the Company’s control; litigation may subject the Company to significant legal expenses, damages and liability; the Company’s products currently in development may not achieve commercial success; the Company competes in a single industry, and its business would suffer if its products become obsolete or demand for them decreases; any disruption in the Company’s manufacturing processes or significant increases in manufacturing costs could adversely affect its business; the products in each of our segments may experience losses due to technical difficulties or fraudulent activities; the Company operates in a very competitive business environment; the Company is dependent on the success of its customers and is subject to industry fluctuations; risks that impact the Company’s customers may impact the Company; certain market risks may affect the Company’s business, results of operations and prospects; a continued downturn in general worldwide economic conditions or in the gaming industry or a reduction in demand for gaming may adversely affect the Company’s results of operations; the Company’s domestic and global growth and ability to access capital markets are subject to a number of economic risks; economic, political, legal and other risks associated with the Company’s international sales and operations could adversely affect its operating results; changes in gaming regulations or laws; the Company is exposed to foreign currency risk; the Company could face considerable business and financial risk in implementing acquisitions; if the Company’s products contain defects, its reputation could be harmed and its results of operations adversely affected; the Company may be unable to adequately comply with public reporting requirements; the Company’s continued compliance with its financial covenants in its senior secured credit facility is subject to many factors, some of which are beyond the Company’s control; the restrictive covenants in the agreement governing the Company’s senior secured credit facility may limit its ability to finance future operations or capital needs or engage in other business activities that may be in its interest; and the Company’s business is subject to quarterly fluctuation. Additional information on these and other risk factors that could potentially affect the Company’s financial results may be found in documents filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Company’s current reports on Form 8-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and its latest annual report on Form 10-K.


Source: Shuffle Master, Inc.