PENN Entertainment eliminates executive positions under new corporate structure

Wyomissing-based casino gaming company PENN Entertainment, Inc. announced Monday a strategic overhaul of its corporate structure, aimed at enhancing operational efficiency and prioritizing digital expansion in key markets. The changes, which take effect immediately, involve the elimination of two executive positions and a realignment of leadership roles to better align with the company’s focus on digital assets in Canada and its Hollywood iCasino platform in the U.S.

Jay Snowden, PENN’s CEO and president, stated in a press release that the restructuring is designed to “deepen customer engagement across channels, maximize free cash flow, and drive shareholder value.”

Executives Out

Among the most notable changes, Todd George, Executive Vice President of Operations, and Rich Primus, Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer (CIO), will be departing the company.

George, who has spent over 13 years at PENN in roles spanning regional operations and general management, recently oversaw the openings of Hollywood Casino Joliet and the M Resort Spa Casino’s second hotel tower.

Primus, who served as CIO for more than a decade, will also leave the organization.

New Marching Order

Under the new structure, PENN’s Senior Vice Presidents of Regional Operations—Rafael Verde, Aaron Rosenthal, and Justin Carter—will retain oversight of retail operations, with revised reporting lines.

Verde and Rosenthal will now report directly to Snowden, while Carter will report to Verde.

Jennifer Weissman, Chief Marketing Officer, will also report to Snowden and collaborate closely with Aaron LaBerge, Chief Technology Officer and Head of Interactive, to strengthen PENN’s omnichannel strategy.

LaBerge’s responsibilities have expanded to include enterprise IT functions, consolidating retail, digital, data, cloud, and security operations under a unified leadership framework. This restructuring aims to reduce redundancies and improve capital efficiency.

PENN has also initiated a search for a digital Chief Operating Officer to manage day-to-day Interactive segment operations, allowing LaBerge to focus on technology integration.

The company’s Board of Directors has endorsed the changes, which are part of a broader evaluation of operational efficiencies. PENN will provide further updates on its progress when it releases fourth-quarter 2025 financial results in February.

Maritime Launch Services names Melissa Quinn Vice President, Spaceport Operations

Maritime Launch Services Inc., the Canadian-owned firm developing the nation’s first commercial orbital launch complex, announced the appointment of Melissa Quinn as Vice President, Spaceport Operations. Quinn will assume responsibility for building out the operational team at Spaceport Nova Scotia and steering the site from its development phase to full launch readiness.

Quinn joins Maritime Launch from strategic partner MDA Space, where she accumulated more than a decade of experience in international spaceport management and commercial launch programs. Previously, she served as the Head of Spaceport Cornwall in the United Kingdom. Under her leadership, Cornwall secured the United Kingdom’s first spaceport license and delivered the facilities needed for the country’s inaugural licensed orbital launch attempt. Her work there involved extensive coordination with regulators, comprehensive sustainability planning, and sustained community outreach.

Based in Nova Scotia, Quinn will work closely with provincial and federal regulators, indigenous groups, and the surrounding communities to ensure that the spaceport’s development aligns with environmental standards and local interests. The facility is being designed as a dual-use launch site, capable of supporting both commercial satellite operators and government payloads, including defense and scientific missions.

Suspicious U.S.-linked aircraft sparks security concerns in Ghana

A mysterious aircraft, possibly linked to the U.S. military, has triggered alarm in northern Ghana after landing repeatedly at a small airstrip in Paga between Dec. 28 and Dec. 31. The Paga Youth Movement (PYM), a local non-partisan group advocating for community development and security, has raised concerns over unexplained activity and alleged government inaction.

The aircraft, bearing tail number "60171" and possibly of U.S. origin, landed three times at the Paga airstrip. On each occasion, it departed abruptly when community members gathered to observe it, PYM said in a press release.

Tensions escalated on Dec. 31, when district security agencies—Ghana Police Service, National Intelligence Bureau (NIB), and National Security—attempted to detain the aircraft. However, local officials claim they were overruled by a directive from regional police leadership, which reportedly labeled the plane a “national security asset,” allowing it to depart without explanation.

PYM stated that independent checks indicate the tail number is registered to the U.S. Army. The aircraft’s original markings were allegedly painted over, fueling speculation about its mission. Community sources suggest the plane may have been transporting weapons destined for neighboring Burkina Faso, though this has not been confirmed.

The incident has raised questions about transparency and sovereignty, particularly as local agencies were allegedly sidelined. “The people of Paga are alert and will resist and report any suspicious activities openly and transparently,” PYM said in a statement. It urged citizens near Ghana’s northern border to remain vigilant, advising them to if you see something, say something.

Paga, located in the Upper East Region near Burkina Faso. PYM, which advocates for upgrading the Paga airstrip to a regional airport, has long sought improved infrastructure and security in the area.

US Special Operations Command seeks Starlink service integration for AC‑130J Ghostrider

The United States Special Operations Command and the Air Force Special Operations Command have issued a Sources‑Sought announcement as part of a market survey aimed at identifying secure, ruggedized satellite‑communication solutions for the AC‑130J “Ghostrider” gunship.

The Request for Information (RFI) document released this week calls for vendors capable of integrating SpaceX’s Starlink/Starshield constellation into the aircraft to provide reliable beyond‑line‑of‑sight connectivity for a range of networked mission systems.

The RFI does not constitute a solicitation for bids, quotes, or proposals. It primarily serves as a research tool to gauge industry capability and inform future acquisition strategies. While no contract is promised, respondents will be evaluated against a set of six criteria that reflect the unique operational demands of special‑operations aerospace platforms.

Key evaluation criteria

1. Ruggedized, removable installation – Solutions must be suitable for semi‑permanent mounting on the Ghostrider, employing off‑the‑shelf secure aviation SATCOM terminals that can endure the full flight envelope of global special‑operations missions. A roll‑on/roll‑off (RORO) capability is also sought.
2. Compatibility with other C‑130 variants – Designs should be readily adaptable to the broader C‑130 fleet, supporting both operational deployments and test‑and‑evaluation activities.
3. Size, Weight, and Power (SWaP) efficiency – Proposals must minimize SWaP while delivering the required network performance in harsh environments.
4. Network reliability and performance – The system must enable secure, global connectivity with high download/upload speeds and low latency, essential for time‑critical mission data.
5. Open‑source interfaces and architecture – Vendors are expected to employ open‑source frameworks to ensure seamless integration with current and future Special Operations Force platforms.
6. Support and third‑party collaboration – Respondents must offer 24/7/365 secure‑operations support and demonstrate willingness to work with third-party integrators to expand capability.

The RFI also requests product literature, recent project summaries—preferably those involving the Department of War—and any relevant experience supporting the Department of Homeland Security. The information gathered will inform how the Starlink/Starshield network can be hardened for military use, addressing concerns such as encryption, anti‑jamming, and resilience against cyber threats.

EHang reaches new heights with historic cross-strait eVTOL flight

EHang Holdings Limited, a global leader in Advanced Air Mobility, has achieved a milestone in urban air transportation by completing the first cross-strait pilotless eVTOL flight over China’s Qiongzhou Strait. The EH216-series electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft traveled 22 kilometers from Nanhai Mingzhu Island in Haikou City, Hainan Province, to Xuwen Port in Zhanjiang City, Guangdong Province, in just 18 minutes— slashing travel time by approximately 70–80% compared to traditional ferry services.

The flight, announced on Wednesday, marks a critical step in validating the capabilities of autonomous eVTOL technology for overwater operations. The EH216-series, designed for two passengers, is powered by a high-energy solid-state battery co-developed with partner Inx Energy. The battery’s performance during the mission, which involved navigating complex maritime conditions, underscores its reliability in challenging environments. EHang highlighted the achievement as a foundation for advancing low-altitude mobility networks between Hainan and Guangdong, two provinces pivotal to China’s broader AAM development strategy.

“This flight demonstrates the stability and adaptability of our technology in real-world scenarios, including cross-strait transportation, island tourism, and maritime logistics,” stated EHang in a press release. The company emphasized that the success could accelerate inter-provincial connectivity and support longer-range flights within the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, a hub for technological and economic integration.

The Qiongzhou Strait flight follows extensive testing by EHang and its partners in diverse conditions, including high-altitude environments, extreme temperatures, typhoons, and overwater bodies.