Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians Announces Chief Operating Officer and General Managers at Its Four Winds Casinos

DOWAGIAC, MI--(Marketwired - May 10, 2013) - The Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians, owners of Four Winds® Casinos, announced today that Matt Harkness has been named Chief Operating Officer of its three Four Winds Casino properties. Harkness will also continue as General Manager of Four Winds New Buffalo. Frank Freedman has also been named General Manager of Four Winds Hartford and Four Winds Dowagiac. Freedman will continue as Assistant General Manager of Four Winds New Buffalo. Both Mr. Harkness and Mr. Freedman started their employment with Four Winds Casinos before the opening of the New Buffalo location in 2007. 

"It has been a great pleasure working closely with both Matt and Frank throughout the years," said Matt Wesaw. "Their work ethic, attention to detail, and dedication to customer service has set the tone for the entire staff at Four Winds Casinos, which is a big reason why we have had the success we've had."

"It is both professionally and personally rewarding to be associated with the Pokagon Band and Four Winds Casinos," said Matt Harkness. "This has been an incredible six years. It has been a tremendous experience as I was here during the construction of Four Winds New Buffalo in 2007, the opening of the first satellite casino in Hartford two years ago, the expansion in New Buffalo last year and now the recent opening of Four Winds Dowagiac. I look forward to continuing to work with the Pokagon Band and their leadership, and would like to thank them for the opportunities they have provided."

Frank Freedman added, "It has been an exciting experience participating in the development of the Four Winds brand and the daily operation of such wonderful facilities, culminating with the recent opening of the Dowagiac property. I am thrilled to be part of a great management team and to work with a supportive ownership group."

Four Winds Casinos has set a new standard for gaming. In 2012, Four Winds Casinos received 36 industry and regional awards for its gaming, hotel and restaurants. Four Winds New Buffalo is the premier gaming destination in the Midwest and offers an unparalleled gaming experience that is matched by its gourmet restaurants, luxury hotel, Hard Rock Cafe Four Winds, and Silver Creek Event Center. Its two satellite locations -- Four Winds Hartford and Four Winds Dowagiac -- offer players an opportunity to earn points, redeem offers, and participate in promotions, just as they do at Four Winds New Buffalo.

About the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians
The Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians' Tribal Recognition was restored and signed into law by President Clinton in September of 1994. The Tribe's ten county service area includes four counties in Southwestern Michigan and six in Northern Indiana. The Pokagon Band provides services including housing, education, family services, medical care and cultural preservation to approximately 4,500 citizens of the Tribe. In 2007, it opened Four Winds Casino Resort in New Buffalo, Mich., which is the premier gaming destination in the Midwest. Four Winds Hartford opened in 2011 and Four Winds Dowagiac will open on April 30, 2013. The Tribe's administrative offices are located in Dowagiac, Mich. More information is available at www.pokagonband-nsn.gov.

About Four Winds Casinos
Four Winds New Buffalo, located at 11111 Wilson Road in New Buffalo, Mich., Four Winds Hartford, located at 68600 Red Arrow Highway in Hartford, Mich., and Four Winds Dowagiac, located at 58700 M-51 South in Dowagiac, Mich., are owned by the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians. Four Winds New Buffalo offers 130,000 square feet of gaming with 3,000 slot machines, 70 table games, four restaurants, entertainment bars, retail venues, and a 415-room hotel, making it the premier gaming resort in the Midwest. Four Winds Hartford features more than 550 slot machines, nine table games, a 74-seat restaurant, and a 15-seat bar. Four Winds Dowagiac features 300 slot machines, four table games and one restaurant. Please play responsibly. You must be 21 years of age to gamble. For more information on Four Winds Casinos, please call 1-(866)-4WINDS1 (866-494-6371) or visit www.fourwindscasino.com. Additionally, be sure to like Four Winds Casinos on Facebook at www.facebook.com/fourwindscasino and follow on Twitter at www.twitter.com/fourwindscasino.