CEO File: ‘Lead by example.’

PERSONAL INFORMATION

Name: Saverio R. Scheri III.

Age: 45.

Title: President and CEO.

Company: Valley Forge Casino Resort.

Type of company: New resort casino in King of Prussia opening March 31.

Number of employees: 1,200.

Recent position: President and CEO, Whitesand Gaming.

Education: Richard Stockton College of New Jersey, BS in information science (1989).

First job: I worked a paper route for The Bergen Record.

Little-known fact about you: Racing motocross as a teenager.

Home: New Jersey.

BUSINESS PHILOSOPHY

Essential business philosophy: Lead by example.

Best way to keep a competitive edge: Never be satisfied. Focus on constant innovation.

Yardstick of success: Waking up every morning excited to go to work.

Goal yet to be achieved: Batting cleanup for the New York Yankees.

JUDGMENT CALLS

Best decision: Taking on the task of opening Valley Forge Casino Resort. It’s been an amazing adventure.

Worst decision: I never look back. Learn from your mistakes and move forward.

Toughest decision: Building a management team for Valley Forge. There are so many talented professionals in the industry, but I couldn’t be more pleased with the team we have in place. Their work ethic and dedication inspire me.

Mentor: My father Saverio.

TRUE CONFESSIONS

Word that best describes you: Dedicated.

Like best about your job: I enjoy creating something exciting from literally nothing.

Like least about your job: I wish I could spend more time regularly with the employees who work late shifts. I really appreciate what they do.

The most important lesson you’ve learned: Success can only happen through hard work. There is no luck involved. You make your own luck.

Life motto: Enjoy every single moment because your time is short.

Greatest fear: Waking up and having nothing to do.

Person most interested in meeting: John F. Kennedy — he was a remarkable leader who led during extremely difficult times.

Company you respect most: IBM — it literally has had to reinvent itself several times to remain successful.

First choice for a new career: Physicist.

Greatest extravagance: Taking a day off and reading a book with no interruptions.

ET CETERA

Award/honor most proud of: While it’s not an award, I was honored to have my book published, “The Casino’s Most Valuable Chip: How Technology Transformed the Gaming Industry.”

Favorite movie: “Casino.” (Of course!)

Favorite restaurant: Tre Vigne, Napa Valley, Calif.

Favorite vacation spot: Anywhere in Italy.

Favorite room in the house and why: Library. I love to read when I have the opportunity.

Favorite way to spend free time: My library. Favorite book. Favorite scotch. Favorite cigar.

 

From Philadelphia Business Journal: http://www.bizjournals.com/philadelphia/print-edition/2012/03/30/lead-by-example.html?page=all