VOL 26 ISSUE 21, May 27, 2025
Main caption: Participants in the latest Pinnacle II – Leading for High Performance cohort gathered May 13-15 at corporate headquarters in Buffalo. The group, pictured above in The HUB, includes leaders chosen from every subsidiary.
Delaware North leaders gathered May 13-15 at corporate headquarters for the latest Pinnacle II – Leading for High Performance Summit.
In Pinnacle II, participants are guided through a four-month learning journey, followed by six months of preparing a group capstone presentation for executive leadership. During the learning journey, participants focus on situational leadership, team leadership and assessment review.
The latest cohort was welcomed to Buffalo with delicious food and warm hospitality thanks to the team at Patina 250, located at corporate headquarters. The group also enjoyed an offsite dinner and met several human resources (HR) leaders from corporate headquarters, including Chuck Abramo, HR group vice president (VP); Michelle Goad, VP of talent development and performance; and Eric DiLaura, learning and development (L&D) program analyst.
Pinnacle II, developed in partnership with Blanchard, a leadership and management training consultant, is a nomination-based L&D program designed for mid-level managers interested in enhancing their skills in communication, trust, adaptive leadership styles and inclusive leadership. Participants are chosen from every subsidiary.
If you are interested in Pinnacle II, please talk to your manager or human resources business partner. Contact Brian Wurmé, L&D program manager, for more information.
Pinnacle II participants:
- Don Giese, regional IT manager, Sportservice
- David Helms, director, creative development
- Amanda Hinchee, lodging operations support manager, Parks and Resorts
- Jose Guzman, director of operations, UBS Arena
- Emilee Koenig, director of food and beverage (F&B), Nationwide Arena
- Andrew Germann, assistant general manager, Paseo, Céntrico and Tiendita
- Hannah Dobrinich, regional IT manager, Sportservice
- Rudy Lopez, executive chef, Paseo, Céntrico and Tiendita
- Charles Krause, executive chef, Southland Casino Hotel
- Salvatore Romeo, shift manager, Daytona Beach Racing & Card Club
- Carla Creasey, F&B manager, Arvest Ballpark
- Chris DeMarchis, director, procure-to-pay system administration
- Jeffrey Smith, director of gaming, Gate City Casino
- Michael Bieke, technical director, TD Garden