COLLINSVILLE, IL, October 16, 2024 - Melissa G. Helton is a distinguished biographee of Marquis Who's Who. She was recently spotlighted in New York City's Times Square on a 22-story screen that is passed by an estimated 1.5 million people daily. As in all Marquis Who's Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are chosen from among a pool of the most prominent professionals and are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.
Ms. Helton, with nearly 25 years of experience in strategic planning and the gaming and hospitality industry, currently serves as the president and general manager of FanDuel Sportsbook and Horse Racing. Formerly known as Fairmount Park, this racecourse hosts in-season horse racing events, off-track betting and various eateries for customers to enjoy. Ms. Helton oversees general operations, leads executive meetings, liaises with jockeys, and cares for horses after races.
Before her current role, Ms. Helton achieved success in various positions within the gaming industry, including at Caesars Indiana, Tropicana – Belle of Baton Rouge, the Apache Gold Casino Resort, Centaur Gaming and the Del Lago Resort & Casino, where she was appointed as senior vice president of finance. Following this period, she assumed her current role at FanDuel, where she has been directly responsible for shaping the company culture, with an eye toward transparency and communication. As a woman in a male-dominated industry, she has earned a well-deserved reputation for honesty and an open-door policy among her employees. With this sentiment, she takes pride in living by her motto, "If you stop and listen to everyone, you'll learn more than you see."
Ms. Helton initially studied accounting at Indiana University Southeast, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in 2003.
Well-regarded as a pioneer in her field, Ms. Helton has notably been featured as a guest on several podcasts, including on the Audacy network and Close Up Radio. As a testament to her achievements, she has been featured through Marquis Who's Who in the Wall Street Journal, Vanity Fair and Vogue, and was recognized as a Marquis Who's Who Top Professional. In addition, she was selected as the Top General Manager of the Year by the International Association of Top Professionals in 2024 and was honored as the Woman of the Year by IAOTP in the same year.
Beyond her professional endeavors, Ms. Helton actively contributes to her community as a board director for the regional chamber of commerce and in a similar administrative capacity at the local department of agriculture.
In accounting for her success, Ms. Helton largely credits her own self-driven efforts which, combined with guidance from key mentors – including her first boss – have propelled her to her current position. Looking toward a bright future, Ms. Helton aims to complete the construction of a new casino on the Fairmount Park grounds and continue breaking new ground in her industry for years to come. She also hopes to continue to serve as a mentor for other women in the industry.
About Marquis Who's Who®:
Since 1899, when A. N. Marquis printed the First Edition of Who's Who in America®, Marquis Who's Who® has chronicled the lives of the most accomplished individuals and innovators from every significant field of endeavor, including politics, business, medicine, law, education, art, religion and entertainment. Who's Who in America® remains an essential biographical source for thousands of researchers, journalists, librarians and executive search firms around the world. The suite of Marquis® publications can be viewed at the official Marquis Who's Who® website, www.marquiswhoswho.com.
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