Who We Are

Navegante. The sum is equal to its parts.

We know “the biz” inside and out and continue to not only generate revenue but to inspire confidence. Diverse backgrounds make the difference, providing us with access to a worldwide network of professionals, both in and outside of the gaming industry. So when we say “full service,” we mean it. From targeted consulting to complete design, development and management of a property.

Navegante believes in being the best “go-to” development, management, and consulting company in the gaming industry. We have a well-defined vision and a strong core of values.

Navegante differentiates itself by providing unconditional, full-service, over-the-top attention to all clients, partners, gaming regulators, and communities. Navegante develops and maintains strong relationships driven by integrity and, above all, fairness. Navegante prides itself on its ability to effectively coordinate efforts relating to lenders’, landlords’, and governments’ standards. We take a quality-minded approach to the gaming business.

Our strength lies within our team dynamics. Talented individuals possessing unique skill sets, who come together to form an indomitable force within the casino industry. Navegante is the best of the best.

Larry J. Woolf

Founder and Chairman

For over forty-five years, Larry has been actively involved in the gaming industry. He began his journey as a slot change person in Harrah’s, Reno, Nevada. He became a table games dealer and quickly advanced up the chain of command. In 1974, he was the youngest Casino Manager in Harrah’s Hotel/Casino history. He went on to join forces with Caesars Atlantic City as the Senior Vice President of Operations where he established a worldwide marketing organization, placing twenty agents nationwide. As President of Caesars Tahoe, he led the struggling property to a profit after just twelve months by re-engineering every area that was underperforming. As Chairman, President and CEO of MGM, he managed the company as the largest hotel in Las Vegas, the MGM Grand. Recognizing the need to stay competitive he contracted such entertainment and sports luminaries as Barbara Streisand, Mike Tyson and The Rolling Stones.

Navegante was formed in 1995. Since that time, the company has provided development, management and consulting services for over 70 gaming properties spanning the globe.

Larry D. Woolf

President and CEO

Larry D. Woolf began his career with Navegante as Director of Marketing in 1995. He began his casino/hotel experience in 1985 at Caesars Tahoe where he held a variety of hotel operations positions. He also worked in operations at The Ridge in Lake Tahoe. Prior to joining Navegante, he was an integral part of the marketing team at MGM Grand Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas, where his focus was on customer development and management.

Throughout his twenty-year career with Navegante, he as applied his experience and expertise to nearly every project. He understands the importance of a solid marketing plan, from the initial stages of planning to the final steps of execution. He is skilled at turning ineffective marketing efforts and streamlining them into comprehensive, cohesive plans designed to achieve results. He is also the Manager of Navegante’s sister property, CasinoRecruiter.com, a prominent Executive Search firm for the Gaming and Hospitality Industry.

Rick Stevens

President and COO

Over twenty-five years ago, Rick began his gaming career as an Assistant Controller for Caesars Tahoe. Since that time, he has been involved in numerous business ventures, from investments and acquisitions to board reporting and general consulting. Because of his vast skill set, he is a valuable asset to the operations area of any business.

As President and Chief Operating Officer of Navegante, his primary responsibilities include acquisitions, licensing, deal structure, capital formation, administrative and financial management plus board reporting. He possesses a depth of experience in all aspects of the casino environment. Rick has led the acquisition of eleven gaming properties since joining Navegante. He provides strategic and financial input of gaming properties owned/managed by Navegante. He played a key role in securing the award of the first gaming license in the State of Kansas and actively participated in the development of Boot Hill Hotel & Casino. Since November, 2012, Rick has served as President of the iconic LVH – Las Vegas Hotel & Casino [fka – Las Vegas Hilton].

Gary Armentrout

Senior Vice President

Gary has over thirty-five years’ experience in the design, development, opening and management of hotel and casino properties in widely diverse markets.

He began his gaming career as a dealer while working his way through law school. After practicing law for four years for the State of Nevada, he returned to Gaming as Corporate Attorney for Harrah’s. He has served as President of Foxwoods Development Company, President of Vanguard Gaming and Senior Vice President of Development for Harvey’s Resorts, IGT and Harrah’s. While in the aforementioned positions he has been responsible for the development and opening of six new casino properties and the major expansion of several others. As Director of Development for the Rumsey Band of Wintun Indians, Gary had full responsibility for the design, construction and opening of the Cache Creek Resort, outside Sacramento. He also brings significant experience in the legal and regulatory complexities of casino development, having practiced gaming law in Nevada for ten years.

Robert J. Watson

Corporate Director of Marketing

Robert is Navegante’s Corporate Director of Marketing and possesses over fifteen years experience in hospitality and casino management.

He began his career in hospitality management before moving into Casino Marketing. He served as Promotions Supervisor and Marketing Database Analyst for Pinnacle Entertainment’s Boomtown Casino. He assisted the Wildhorse Resort & Casino in Oregon through two major expansions. Robert has held numerous titles including Promotions Supervisor, Database Analyst, Marketing Manager, and Director of Marketing while employed with Station Casinos and Hooters Casino Hotel in Las Vegas. Mr. Watson has extensive knowledge of all aspects of casino marketing, including Player Development, Events, Promotions, Entertainment, Database Analysis, Direct Mail and Online Marketing.

Joe Murphy

Chief Financial Officer

With over thirty years of experience in the casino/hotel industry to his credit, Joe also has a background in aviation. His gaming career began in 1987 at the MGM Grand where he served as Chief Financial Officer. He has been part of Navegante since the company was formed in 2005.

Joe has been involved in all aspects of operations, and is considered an expert in business strategies, business plans and projections, financing assistance, property development, internal controls, policies and procedures, construction budgets, FF&E and development budgets, operational review and marketing, and business assessments. His experience, attention to detail and vast knowledge of the overall gaming business make him a strong asset to the Navegante team.

Shannon Miller

Corporate Director of Operations

Shannon Miller began her career at Navegante in 2006 providing database maintenance services for Navegante’s Recruiting division, CasinoRecruiter.com. Her knowledge in management expanded her responsibilities to oversee Navegante’s Retail division managing purchasing, logistics, office management, and warehouse operations. She became a key player in operations and was soon after promoted as the Corporate Director of Operations for Navegante. Shannon now manages gaming licensing processes and documents, AR & AP finances, donations, IT support services, communications, creative design, and provides strategic review and finalization of many client reports.

She was a class valedictorian plus progressed to receive her Bachelor’s of Business Administration degree in Management and Human Resources from University of Wisconsin Madison. Shannon is also a fitness instructor, plays recreational soccer, and is the loving mother to 3 beautiful children.