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Casino Exec Returns to Atlantic City

ATLANTIC CITY, New Jersey -- It was an odd homecoming Monday for Mark Juliano, a man who once knew Atlantic City's gambling scene as well as anyone but now finds himself something of an outsider.

"Returning from a two-year stint in Las Vegas, the former Caesars executive was getting reacquainted with the resort's casino industry during his first day on the job as the new chief operating officer of Donald Trump's gaming company.

"…Some things were familiar to him. He saw some old friends while making his rounds at the Trump Taj Mahal Casino Resort and talked enthusiastically about taking an afternoon stroll on the Boardwalk, an old haunt.

"But other sights were foreign. When he left Atlantic City in early 2003 to become president of Caesars Palace, the billion-dollar Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa and Tropicana Casino and Resort's $280 million retail and entertainment complex, The Quarter, had not yet opened. Now they are formidable competitors for his new employer, Trump.

"…Juliano acknowledged that Borgata and The Quarter could serve as inspirations for the rejuvenation of the aging Trump casinos - three cash-strapped properties that have gone years without major improvements.

"…Juliano has been teamed with new Trump CEO James B. Perry in a post-bankruptcy management shakeup that is supposed to revive the Trump brand. Since emerging from Chapter 11 bankruptcy in late May, the company has slashed its debt, lowered its interest payments and secured new financing for a rebuilding program…"

copyrighted material written for and appeared exclusively in The Press of Atlantic City

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