General manager named for new Schenectady casino

Mary Cheeks will be general manager of Rivers Casino & Resort at Mohawk Harbor, according to Greg Carlin, CEO of Rush Street Gaming.

Rush Street Gaming will own and operate the Schenectady casino. The Chicago-based firm also owns Rivers Casino in Pittsburgh and SugarHouse Casino in Philadelphia where Cheeks serves as CFO and senior vice president of finance.

"During my many visits to Schenectady this past year, I've met many residents and leaders from the community, and learned a lot about the city and its rich history," Cheeks said in a prepared statement. "I am eager to make Schenectady my home, and I'm excited about opening Rivers Casino at Mohawk Harbor."

Cheeks was "instrumental" in Rush Street's efforts to win a licensing recommendation in Schenectady from a state siting panel, Carlin said. Another entity, the state Gaming Commission, is doing a background investigation of Rush Street and could award a license in the coming months. The casino must be built within two years of receiving a license.

Cheeks has been in the gambling industry for 30 years and has extensive experience in casino finance. She started her career in Atlantic City in the mid-1980s as an auditor for Resorts International Casino & Hotel.