Consumer >> CEO Interviews >> April 9, 2001
LYLE A. BERMAN is Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of
Lakes Gaming, Inc. A graduate of the University of Minnesota with a
degree in Business Administration, Mr. Berman began his career with
Berman Buckskin, his family's leather business. When Berman was sold to
W.R. Grace in 1979, he continued as President and Chief Executive
Officer. Mr. Berman led a management buyout of Berman's in 1987, and in
1988, the company was sold to Melville Corporation and combined to form
Wilsons The Leather Experts. In the spring of 1996, Mr. Berman
participated, along with current Wilsons management, in the purchase of
Wilsons from Melville Corporation. In 1990, Mr. Berman participated in
the founding of Grand Casinos, Inc. In 1998, Grand Casinos completed
transactions when Grand Casinos' Mississippi assets were merged with the
gaming division of Hilton Hotels Corporation to form Park Place
Entertainment Corporation, and Grand Casinos' Indian casino management
business was spun off into a new public company called Lakes Gaming,
Inc. In 1994, Mr. Berman financed the initial development of Rainforest
Caf, an integrated restaurant and retail concept. In October 1995, Mr.
Berman was honored with the B'nai B'rith 'Great American Traditions
Award' and in April 1996, he received the Gaming Executive of the Year
Award. Mr. Berman and his wife have four children and live in Wayzata,
Minnesota. Profile
then how that's going to play into your strategies and goals for the
year 2001?
Mr. Berman: In the beginning of the year
