2009 GREAT WOMEN OF GAMING
Proven leader

Denyse S. Moore

Senior Director, Client Services West
Bally Technologies

 

Denyse Moore's work ethic and passion for gaming has carried her through 11 years of work in the industry, and she hopes we'll see her in a position at the top in 11 more years. Moore began her career in gaming in 1999 as a senior consultant for the accounting firm Arthur Andersen. She worked on a project that involved implementing a Bally system, and eventually joined the Bally Technologies team in 2002. Originally, Moore's career goal was to be a university president, so she left college to take what she thought was a two-year break to gain real-world experience. She never looked back. Moore says: "I'm here, I love interacting with customers, doing system conversions, being involved in opening a new casino. All of that, is something I really enjoy."

Moore's career at Bally began as a training manager. She was promoted to director of training and is now senior director of client services west for the company's system division. "It's a pretty big role, and I'm very proud and honored to be given the opportunity to be successful in that role," Moore says.

Moore manages a department of more than 35 employees and shares responsibility for meeting client services revenue targets. Her department provides around-the-clock customer service and support and executes new casino-systems implementations, replacements, upgrades and add-ons. Additionally, Moore recently managed a number of high-profile systems installations that resulted in several quarters of record revenues for the company's systems division.

Moore says the biggest challenge she's faced on the job was during the time she held the role of training director. The challenge was getting people to buy into the idea that new Bally employees need to go through an internal training process. However, once this process was established, it greatly increased the ability of Bally's training resources to add value to the investment made by Bally's customers.

Ramesh Srinivasan, executive vice president of systems at Bally, says one of Moore's most significant accomplishments during her time at Bally has been the establishment of a revenue-generating customer training center for the wide variety of systems products. "Her team of professional trainers provides our valued customers with the most comprehensive training experience in the gaming industry," Srinivasan said.

The reason for Moore's success, she believes, is hard work and dedication. "I've worked very hard, and have put in a lot of hours; I have passion for the products at Bally." She feels thankful for the opportunities she has had at Bally and hopes to continue improving, succeeding and progressing upward professionally.

In her current role, Moore provides advice and feedback for her colleagues and employees. Sridhar Laveti, vice president of client management at Bally Technologies, shares similar responsibilities and challenges with Moore. Laveti says, "I find her wise counsel to be invaluable; especially as it regards to mentoring new employees and providing guidance and advice on a variety of issues."

Moore has always been a goal-oriented person, starting with her days as student body president in both high school and college. Moore was determined to get a full scholarship to college, and she did. "I tell myself, this is what I want, and most of the time, I'll accomplish it," Moore explains.

Moore's parents instilled this work ethic in her early on. She grew up in Portland, Ore., watching them work hard for what they wanted. Her parents were a mixed-race couple who married in 1964. "To hear about all of the struggles that they went through to be where they are at, to make sure that we had the best possible opportunities growing up, especially as mixed kids, is just amazing." Moore says she would not be where she is at in life today if it wasn't for her parents—her role models.

When Moore first entered the business world, she found a mentor she still looks to for professional guidance, Lisa Versace. The two women met at Arthur Andersen. Moore says it was great watching Versace work and seeing how she handled certain things. "She taught me so much about what the business world really is, and she actually was the one who brought me onto the Boyd project, which got my career started in gaming."

Moore currently lives in Reno, Nev., with her husband. She has two step-children and enjoys camping, boating, boxing, running and traveling. Moore also has an English Bulldog named Qweenie. "I'm an animal person, and I love my dog; she is the love of my life. This is the big joke at Bally—they always say she comes before my husband." This summer, Moore's love of animals turned into a new volunteer activity. She is volunteering one weekend a month at a local animal shelter that facilitates adoptions. She and her husband also volunteer at the Reno Gospel Mission homeless shelter. They cook meals for about 300 people.

Moore says accomplishing new goals she sets for herself is what keeps her motivated. She is continuously inspired by seeing other women in the industry reach leadership positions and succeed.

To other women hoping to accomplish their goals in gaming, Moore says, "Don't be afraid to get out there, give suggestions and be involved in making change within your company … because that's important." Next, she says, be flexible on the job: "Willingness to do what it takes for the company is really what gets people ahead, and that's key."SKC


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