Foxwoods Appoints Interim CEO

MASHANTUCKET, CT – The Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Council announced this week that Chairman Rodney Butler will assume the role of Interim CEO for Foxwoods Resort Casino effective immediately, pending State Key License approval.

According to a news release, Butler will continue serving as Tribal Council Chairman while leading Foxwoods’ executive team during the interim period. A recruitment process is underway to select and appoint a permanent leadership candidate, and a new President and CEO for Foxwoods will be announced later this fall.

Butler holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Finance from the University of Connecticut where he played Defensive Back for the UCONN Huskies' football team.

Prior to service on Tribal Council, Butler worked in Finance at Foxwoods Resort Casino. He later became Chairman of the Tribal Business Advisory Board, an executive body responsible for overseeing the Tribe’s non-gaming businesses and commercial properties.

Butler was actively involved in resort expansion planning at Foxwoods as well as the Tribe’s Phase 7 housing development on the reservation and is a founding Trustee of the Mashantucket (Western) Pequot Tribe Endowment Trust. Butler also chairs the Board of Directors for the United Way of Southeastern Connecticut, serves on the Board of Trustees for Roger Williams University and is a member of the Board of Directors for the Mystic Aquarium.

In 2017, Butler was the recipient of the Native American Finance Officers Association’s Tribal Leader of the Year award.

“I’m honored to serve in this temporary role for Foxwoods Resort Casino. The Tribal Council continues our search for a new President and CEO,” Butler said in a release. “We’re making solid progress, and expect a quick appointment and smooth transition. We have an incredibly talented executive team and the Tribal Council has every confidence in their ability to continue executing the strategic plan put in place by our dear friend, Felix Rappaport.”

Rappaport held the President and CEO position at Foxwoods for over four years until he passed away on June 18. During his tenure, Rappaport brought innovative ideas to Foxwoods Resort Casino which not only enriched the guests’ experiences but also elevated Foxwoods’ status as a world-class destination resort to new and exciting levels.

In addition to ensuring superior services and amenities, Rappaport successfully improved employee morale, ensuring a fun and engaging place to work for thousands of Foxwoods team members.

For a detailed look at Foxwoods Resort Casino and Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation visit foxwoods.com.

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