PENN Entertainment has appointed Aaron LaBerge as its Chief Technology Officer (CTO), effective July 1, 2024, pending customary regulatory approvals. Mr. LaBerge will directly report to PENN’s CEO & President, Jay Snowden.
In his new capacity, Mr. LaBerge will lead PENN’s technology strategy and operations, overseeing a global team of technologists and serving as the principal business leader for the company’s Interactive division.
Prior to joining PENN, Mr. LaBerge accumulated over 20 years of experience at The Walt Disney Company, with two periods of service interspersed by five and a half years as a technology entrepreneur. Most recently, he served as President & Chief Technology Officer for Disney Entertainment and ESPN, where he spearheaded technology and product development initiatives across Disney’s media divisions. In this influential role, he played a pivotal part in shaping Disney’s technology vision and strategy, driving innovation, and enhancing consumer experiences with entertainment and sports content.
Mr. Snowden, CEO of PENN Entertainment, said:
We are thrilled to have someone of Aaron’s caliber join our PENN executive team. Having overseen a global organization of thousands of engineers, product developers, designers, technologists, and data scientists that created some of the largest scale and most successful media properties in the world, there is no better candidate to lead our Technology and Interactive division into its future. I know Aaron is looking forward to working with Todd George, our head of operations, and our entire Executive Team to continue growing our position as a leader in online gaming, sports betting, and digital sports media.
Aaron LaBerge, said:
I’m excited to join another talented team at PENN Interactive and lead our technology strategy. PENN Entertainment is at the forefront of the fast-changing gaming and sports media industry. I plan to use my experience from Disney and ESPN to help make ESPN BET an essential piece of the sports fan experience. Together, we’ll push the limits and redefine how fans interact with sports and gaming.
Before his recent role at The Walt Disney Company, Mr. LaBerge served as Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer at ESPN from 2015 to 2018. During his tenure at ESPN, he played a pivotal role in advancing ESPN’s consumer-facing digital media products and services, spearheading ambitious projects that solidified ESPN’s leadership in digital sports and innovative sports technology. Mr. LaBerge was instrumental in designing, developing, and engineering ESPN’s cutting-edge facilities in Bristol, CT; Los Angeles, CA; Charlotte, NC; and Austin, TX, along with the associated data centers and infrastructure connecting these facilities globally. He also played a key role in the technology design and development for the successful launch of the multi-platform SEC Network.
Between 2007 and 2012, Mr. LaBerge co-founded and served as CEO of Fanzter, Inc., a venture-funded consumer software and digital product development company. During his time at Fanzter, he oversaw all daily operations and led the development and launch of various consumer-focused internet and mobile products, as well as innovative social and commerce technologies.
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