Saracen Casino Resort appoints Rod Centers as CEO after firing two executives

PINE BLUFF — The Downstream Development Authority of the Quapaw Nation has named Rod Centers as the new chief executive officer of Saracen Casino Resort in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, effective immediately.

The appointment follows the termination of General Manager Matt Harkness and Chief Market Officer Carlton Saffa, which was approved by the Quapaw Nation Business Committee on Monday.

"Rod has run large properties for the biggest operators in the business and for a tribal nation, and he knows what it takes to win in a competitive market," said Billy Shapp, chairman of the Downstream Development Authority.

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"The board is moving forward with new leadership and a new direction, and we chose the person who can take Saracen where it should go."

A tribal resolution contends the two fired executives created and marketed a gaming company called GamePhysics to third parties within the Arkansas gaming industry, in conflict with their employment agreements.

The resolution also alleged Harkness did not provide proper financial oversight and that both men provided donations and sponsorships in excess of tribal policy.

Saffa told Casino.org that his dismissal came as a "total shock." He joined the project in 2019 after Arkansas voters authorized a casino in Jefferson County during the November 2018 election.

Harkness had served as general manager of the Saracen operation since October of 2020 and has more than 30 years of managerial experience in the industry.

Centers joins from Seneca Gaming Corporation, where he served as chief operating officer for the Seneca Nation's gaming operations at Seneca Niagara, Seneca Buffalo Creek, and Seneca Allegany.

"Saracen is one of the finest properties in the South, and I am honored to lead it," Centers said in a statement.

"This team helped build Saracen into what it is today, and this is the team that will carry it into the future. My job is to take it further, and we start today: for our guests, for our team members, and for the goal of making Saracen the best gaming and entertainment destination in Arkansas."

Centers has more than 25 years of experience in the gaming industry, with previous leadership roles at Jack Entertainment, Penn Entertainment and Caesars Entertainment.

Saracen Casino Resort is a commercial casino owned by the Quapaw Nation of Oklahoma and operated by its Downstream Development Authority.

The property offers more than 2,000 terminal games, over 50 table games, a poker room, a sportsbook, and a 14-story, 318-room hotel and spa. It also features a 1,600-seat event centre that regularly hosts national touring acts.

The Pine Bluff casino operation began in 2020 in what had been a soybean field. It opened its event centre in April and partially opened its hotel in June.

The leadership change comes after Jesse "Manz" McKibben was elected chairman and Linda Valliere won secretary-treasurer in the tribe's annual election in July, with new officials sworn in on Aug. 15.