John Boushy, Former CEO of Ameristar Casinos

Episode Overview

In this interview, John Boushy discusses three of the five principles of World Class IT with Metis Strategy. Some of the topics discussed include

• The essential role IT plays in mergers, and how IT should approach them
• Measuring IT’s success by the success of the business rather than traditional IT metrics
• How effective CIOs are well positioned to become successful CEOs
• The importance of prioritizing projects by deciding not only what needs to be done, but what doesn’t need to be done
• Building an IT organization to substantiate the capabilities necessary to accomplish the business’ goals

John Boushy’s Biography

John Boushy joined Ameristar as president and was subsequently appointed CEO and president and elected to the company’s board of directors.

Prior to joining Ameristar, he served as a senior executive at Harrah’s Entertainment, holding various executive positions within Harrah’s and its prior parent companies, Holiday Corporation and The Promus Companies. John most recently served as Harrah’s Executive Vice President, Project Development, Design & Construction. Prior to that, John held the position of Senior Vice President Concept Development and Chief Integration Officer where he had executive level responsibility to plan and execute all aspects of the business combination of Caesars Entertainment with Harrah’s Entertainment.

As SVP, Operations, Products and Services and CIO, John established corporate operating functions in order to deliver enhanced capabilities to all company various properties, enhancing delivery of service and competitiveness, while supporting the rapid growth through property expansions and company acquisitions. At the same time, John led the maturing of the IT function, creating greater alignment between IT and the business, thereby driving incremental business value from the business/IT projects.

As Harrah’s CIO, John was credited for various technological advances that today power the company’s customer service and financial performance. As vice president of strategic marketing for Harrah’s, John developed numerous customer-centric innovations, including 800-HARRAHS and the industry’s first, nation-wide customer loyalty program. Under his leadership, the company issued the first annual survey of casino entertainment, which continues today as The Profile of the American Casino Gambler.

In 2001, Harrah’s was awarded CIO’s coveted Enterprise Value Award due to John’s leadership of Harrah’s loyalty program and in September of 2007, John was elected to the CIO Magazine Hall of Fame.

John holds a bachelor of science degree in mathematics and a master of science degree in applied mathematics, both from North Carolina State University.

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