Aaron LaBerge has been appointed Chief Technology Officer of PENN Entertainment. The former Disney Entertainment and ESPN President and CTO will officially transition to PENN on July 1, 2024, subject to customary regulatory approvals.
In his new role, Mr. Laberge will be responsible for driving PENN's technology strategy and execution, lead a multinational team of engineers, and serve as a key business leader for the company's Interactive division.
“We are excited to have someone of Aaron's caliber join our PENN management team,” he said. PENN CEO and President Jay Snowden. “He has overseen a global organization of thousands of engineers, product developers, designers, technologists and data scientists who have created some of the world's largest and most successful media properties. We couldn't have asked for a better candidate for the future. Aaron will work with our Director of Operations, Todd George, and our entire executive team to position our company as a leader in online gaming, sports betting, and digital sports media. I know we’re looking forward to continuing to expand.”
Mr. LaBerge spent more than 20 years at the Walt Disney Company, including 5.5 years as a technology entrepreneur. He most recently served as president and chief technology officer of Disney Entertainment and ESPN, where he was responsible for driving all technology and product development supporting his two media divisions at Walt Disney Company. In that role, he provides vision and strategic leadership for how Disney leverages technology to enable storytelling and innovation, drive business, and create unparalleled consumer experiences in entertainment and sports content. contributed to the establishment of
“I’m excited to join another talented team at PENN Interactive and lead our technology strategy,” said LaBerge. “PENN Entertainment is at the forefront of the rapidly changing gaming and sports media industry. I will use my experience at Disney and ESPN to make ESPN BET an integral part of the sports fan experience. Together, we will push boundaries and redefine how fans interact with sports and games.”
Prior to his most recent role at The Walt Disney Company, Mr. LaBarge served as Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer at ESPN from 2015 to 2018. At ESPN, he played a key role in the growth of ESPN's consumer digital media products and services. – He led many of ESPN's most ambitious and challenging projects and helped establish ESPN as a leader in digital sports and innovative sports technology development. He was the principal architect in the design, development, and engineering of ESPN's state-of-the-art facility in Bristol, Connecticut. Los Angeles, California. Charlotte, North Carolina. He designed and developed the data centers and infrastructure that connects those facilities in Austin, Texas, and around the world, and the technology that supports the launch of the multi-platform SEC Network.
From 2007 to 2012, LaBerge was co-founder and CEO of Fanzter, Inc., a venture-backed consumer software and digital product development company. At Fanzter, he led all day-to-day operations and led the development and launch of a variety of consumer-focused Internet and mobile products, groundbreaking social and commerce technologies, and more.