NIAGARA FALLS, NY – Seneca Gaming Corporation announced that Joseph S. Fanara, Jr. has been hired as the corporation’s Vice President of Design & Construction. He will help plan, manage, and oversee capital improvement projects at Seneca Gaming Corporation’s three casino properties – Seneca Niagara Resort & Casino, Seneca Allegany Resort & Casino, and Seneca Buffalo Creek Casino.
Fanara joins Seneca Gaming Corporation from the Savarino Companies, where he most recently held the position of Vice President of Construction. He helped grow the company’s project portfolio to more than $155 million in active construction and nearly $200 million in pre-construction phase projects. Fanara oversaw a diversified portfolio of projects across multiple industries and uses, including mixed use, office, retail, hospitality, education and cultural.
“Joe is an excellent professional who has overseen and helped deliver several high-quality, complex construction projects across our region,” said Kevin Nephew, Seneca Gaming Corporation President & CEO. “We are confident that he can help us create and deliver upon our vision for providing our guests unmatched gaming, dining, entertainment, and hospitality environments at our three world-class properties.”
Notable projects Fanara has been involved with throughout his career include the $5.5 million Canalside Longshed Building in Buffalo; the $15 million historic preservation and adaptive reuse of the First National Bank Building in Olean; the $15.5 million renovation of the historically significant Houghton Hall at SUNY Fredonia; as well as projects at Resorts World Catskills casino; Explore & More Children’s Museum; the University at Buffalo; Coca Cola Field; and several projects for the City of Buffalo.
Since 2002, Seneca Gaming Corporation has completed more than $2 billion in design and construction projects to develop, expand, renovate, and maintain its three casino properties. Together, the casinos comprise gaming spaces with more than 5,100 slot machines and 125 tables games, more than 1,000 luxury hotel rooms, dozens of restaurants, and high-end amenities, including spas and salons, retail establishments, office space and team member areas.
“What Seneca Gaming Corporation has done in the past 20 years is remarkable and has helped dramatically change the landscape of Western New York,” said Fanara. “I am excited by the opportunity to help the company continue to build forward-thinking, dynamic spaces that engage guests’ imaginations and deliver an unparalleled atmosphere and experience.”