PENN Entertainment has announced the appointment of Aaron LaBerge as Chief Technology Officer (CTO) effective July 1st, 2024, subject to customary regulatory approvals. LaBerge will report directly to PENN CEO and President Jay Snowden.
The company says that in his new role, LaBerge will be responsible for driving the technology strategy and execution for PENN, while leading the multinational team of technologists and serving as the key business leader for the company’s Interactive division.
LaBerge spent more than 20 years at The Walt Disney Company, in two stints separated by five and a half years as a technology entrepreneur.
He was most recently President and Chief Technology Officer for Disney Entertainment and ESPN, where he was responsible for driving all technology and product development in support of The Walt Disney Company’s two media divisions.
“In that role, he helped set the vision and strategic leadership for how Disney uses technology to enable storytelling and innovation, drive its business, and create unparalleled consumer experiences with entertainment and sports content,” the company noted.
“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,” said Snowden.
“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.”
Before his most recent role at the Walt Disney Company, LaBerge was Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer at ESPN from 2015 to 2018. PENN says that at ESPN he played an instrumental role in the growth of consumer-facing digital media products and services – leading many of ESPN’s “most ambitious and challenging projects” and helping establish the company’s position as a leader in digital sports.
He was a key architect in the design, development, and engineering of ESPN’s facilities in Bristol, CT; Los Angeles, CA; Charlotte, NC; and Austin, TX, as well as data centers and infrastructure that connect those facilities around the world, as well as the technology design and development to support the launch of the multi-platform SEC Network.
Between 2007 and 2012, LaBerge was co-founder and CEO of Fanzter – a venture-funded consumer software and digital product development company. At Fanzter, he directed all day-to-day operations and led the development and launch of a variety of consumer-focused internet and mobile products, social and commerce technologies, and more.
Speaking about his new role, 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.”
PENN acquired ESPN in August 2023 under a long-term exclusive agreement. Under the terms of the agreement, Penn will have the 10-year right to use the ESPN Bet name in the US.
Last month, PENN announced the addition of Anuj Dhanda to its board expanding the size of the members to ten, nine of whom satisfy the standards for director independence under the current Listing Rules of the NASDAQ Stock Market.