The man who has led four Winds Casinos through an amazing period of growth and success is moving on.
Four Winds Chief Operating Officer Frank Freedman says it’s time for a new professional chapter, so he’ll return to “the East Coast” for an undisclosed opportunity in the gaming/hospitality industry. Freedman has led Four Winds since March 2015. Prior to that he was the Number Two executive, heading day to day operations as Assistant General Manager since ‘Day One’ at the huge New Buffalo gaming complex in 2007. He moved up, succeeding then-COO Matt Harkness, who departed for another opportunity.
Freedman’s planning and leadership ‘fingerprints’ are all over the massive multi-location Four Winds operation, owned by the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians. He reports to the Tribal Government and its gaming board. Freedman initially ran the New Buffalo casino from its 2007 launch and supervised the subsequent opening and operation of Four Winds satellite casinos in Hartford (2011)and Dowagiac (2013).
Along the way, there was major expansion in New Buffalo, bringing the hotel to over 400 rooms and adding the Silver Creek Event Center, which stages concerts by national-name artists. Then in 2018, Freedman unveiled the results of several years’ planning when he opened Four Winds South Bend—a second major gaming destination with full hotel and hospitality facilities. This year, expansion in South Bend added a hotel tower, totalling more than 300 rooms and a multi-purpose facility for conferences, meetings and smaller concerts, The Ribbon Town Event Center. Sports betting facilities were also added as new state regulations permitted. As Freedman moves on, he leaves Four Winds as one of the largest gaming-based operations outside Las Vegas and Atlantic City.
Freedman announced his decision in a Linked-In post:
“After 16 amazing years leading Four Winds Casinos, the last 8 as Chief Operating Officer, I have decided to return to the East Coast and embrace the next chapter in my life and professional career. Over the past decades we, together, have established Four Winds Casinos as a premier gaming and hospitality operation. Our most recent expansion, the spectacular Four Winds South Bend Casino/ Hotel and Conference Center is a crowning achievement and a true testament to our remarkable team of dedicated and talented executive management, and the 3000 employees who made it happen. My sincere thanks for the many years of loyalty, commitment and sheer hard work. You are simply THE BEST! Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Frank.”
Under Freedman’s leadership, Four Winds has become one of Southwest Michigan’s largest employers. Prior to joing Four Winds in 2007, Freedman spent more than 20 years in the Atlantic City casino industry, including several positions with Trump International Hotels and Casinos.
The date of Freedman’s departure and immediate succession plans are expected this week in a statement from The Pokagon Band tribal leadership.
