2009 GREAT WOMEN OF GAMING
Proven leader
Tina Kilmer
Vice President of Product Compliance
Bally Technologies
Tina Kilmer says "You could have knocked me over with a proverbial feather," about receiving the Great Women of Gaming award. But to others, this win is no surprise. As James Maida, president of Gaming Laboratories International, put it, "It is time to let the spotlight shine, for a brief moment on her, even though she may not think she deserves such recognition."
Throughout the industry, Kilmer is known as a humble, hard worker who will go the extra mile without complaining.
Kilmer has been with Bally Technologies for eight years. She has held a variety of leadership roles in product compliance and engineering and was promoted to vice president of product compliance three years ago. Before Bally, Kilmer worked at Aristocrat Technologies and Harrah's Entertainment. Prior to entering the world of gaming, Kilmer worked in program management and electrical engineering for Argonne National Laboratory and Dow Chemical USA. Kilmer has been registered as a professional engineer since 1987.
The move to the gaming industry started when Kilmer was living in the Midwest and looking at moving south as a possible solution to her son's respiratory problem. "A friend called with a possible opportunity in the gaming industry for someone with my experience and background. He thought I was a perfect fit. An interview followed and, as it happened, he was right."
In Kilmer's current role, she and her team are responsible for ensuring Bally's games are approved in a timely manner in about 300 jurisdictions. Kilmer says she is proud of her work, especially the role she played in building a talented product compliance team. She explains, "The unique relationships and initiatives our team has created have assisted our company to expand our business into new markets, both domestically and internationally."
Maida says, in working with Kilmer, he sees her commitment to quality and honest communication with regulators and her own team members. Maida explains: "She consistently has 'a seat at the table,' called upon to work on high-level, critical policy. Without question, she is one of the highest-ranking, most talented technical compliance people in the industry today."
Gavin Isaacs, chief operating officer at Bally, says Kilmer makes amazing impacts on the teams she leads, while serving as a mentor to a number of Bally's employees. "Her warm-hearted spirit and soft-spoken, yet confident style, has garnered respect and admiration among colleagues and subordinates alike."
The collection of dynamic and fascinating people in the industry is what keeps Kilmer in the game. She loves that in this industry, there is never a dull moment. One of the challenges that kept Kilmer on her toes came early in her gaming career, as she transitioned from a government position to the gaming industry. Government work followed a single set of rules and regulations, whereas gaming introduced her to a world in which diverse jurisdictions encompass multiple regulations and requirements. Kilmer says, "Every career has inherent trials and some, at first, can seem insurmountable.
Dissecting the information, exploring alternative solutions with team members, and knowing when and who to ask for guidance are keys to success. Often, the more difficult challenges result in the most satisfying accomplishments."
The toughest personal challenge Kilmer has faced is tied to her biggest personal accomplishment thus far. Kilmer's son had health issues that required out-of-the-box solutions. "Facing the challenges of raising a special-needs child is truly a gift with each successive milestone. I can't describe how much the attaining of each of their goals means to us." Kilmer is married with four children. She says building a strong and loving family is what she is most proud of.
Kilmer's family members were her first mentors in life. Her parents and grandparents gave her responsibilities and set their expectations high. "We worked at the family businesses, as my grandmother and parents did before me. Before we were allowed to drive a car, we had to learn to fix it first."
Kilmer takes time now to mentor women who are starting their careers. She serves on the Society of Women Engineers and mentors young female engineering students.
Kilmer does have some advice for women reaching for their goals in gaming. First, trust your intuition and don't take things at face value. One of Kilmer's first professional assignments took her walking through a power plant toward a construction project she was to manage. She recalls: "A truckload of construction workers drove past me, peppering me with a barrage of catcalls and wolf whistles. When I arrived at the site, my team was already there—the same workers who had passed me in the truck! I introduced myself to the team and instead of being insulted or angry, I simply thanked them for their 'warm welcome.' "
Kilmer is now looking forward to helping Bally enter new markets and introduce new technology to operators and players.
As the economy recovers, and gaming grows, she looks forward to new jurisdictions opening to gaming. She also wants to see current gaming operations continue to expand and implement more sophisticated technology. "Technology that enables casinos to better market, promote, reward and communicate to players will become even more vital."
Parting words Kilmer would like the industry to keep in mind as the future unfolds are: "Hold true to your core values. Inspire and be inspired. Learn and share willingly. Be grateful for all of life's blessings." SKC
Copyright 2011, Great Women of Gaming. All rights reserved.
