Management

Brad Pederson is senior account director for Golden Route Operations and is responsible for account recruitment and retention, as well as customer relations for Nevada's third largest slot route operator which manages more than 2,500 machines in more than 200 locations throughout the state.

Pederson co-founded a vending, payphone and coffee service company named Southwest Services Inc. in 1986, and oversaw the conversion of Southwest Services to a slot route operation in 1990. The solid route partnerships built and maintained though then Southwest Gaming's success became what is now known as Golden Route Operations.

Prior to that, Pederson served as a shipping supervisor with Frito-Lay, Inc. and a sales and marketing manager for the world's largest food and vending route company based in Los Angeles, Canteen Corp., as well as vice president for Las Vegas-based Vega Vending, Inc.

In his spare time, Pederson enjoys fly fishing, hunting, golf and traveling, and is an instrument rated pilot.

Pederson received a Bachelor of Science degree from Arizona State University in Tempe, Ariz.

Rick Gilbert is gaming operations director for Golden Route Operations and is responsible for the installation and service of all gaming equipment for Nevada's third largest slot route operator, which manages more than 2,500 machines in more than 200 locations throughout the state.

Prior to joining Golden Route Operations in 1992, Gilbert oversaw production and sales of frozen food products in a USDA production facility. He started in the gaming industry as a route technician in 1985.

In his spare time, Gilbert enjoys golfing, riding street bikes and sand dunning.

Christopher Trout is casino manager for Siegel Slots & Gold Spike Casinos, operated by Golden Route Operations, Nevada's third largest slot route operator managing more than 2,500 machines in more than 200 locations throughout the state. Trout is responsible for overseeing all gaming and casino day-to-day operations for both casinos.

Prior to his current position, Trout served as a regional manager for the company’s tavern operations in Las Vegas, Golden Tavern Group. There he was responsible for overseeing operations of 8 PT’s tavern locations throughout the city.

Prior to joining Golden Gaming in 2008, Trout was a multiunit manager for Milligan’s and Goldfinger’s taverns, where he was responsible for opening and operating the taverns. He has also served in many bar operation capacities at Boulder Station and Aladdin (now Planet Hollywood) casinos in Las Vegas.

In his spare time, Trout enjoys golfing and spending time with his two daughters.

Trout received an Associate of Arts degree in education from Reading Area Community College in Reading, Penn., and has also studied secondary education in social studies at The University of Maryland, College Park.

Jimmy Wadhams is northern Nevada operations manager for Golden Gaming, Inc. He joined the company in 2007 and is responsible for overseeing the company's wholly-owned tavern operations as well as all third-party route partnerships in northern Nevada.

Based in Reno, Nev., Wadhams' responsibilities include overseeing the day-to-day business of Golden Tavern Group's northern Nevada taverns, including Sierra Gold, Sparky's & Sierra Junction taverns in Reno, as well as Goldie's and Sparky's taverns in Fernley and Sparks, Nev., respectively. Wadhams will also direct the company's northern Nevada Golden Route Operations, managing gaming for 34 current third-party route partners, as well as assisting in developing potential business opportunities, growing Golden Gaming's route footprint throughout northern Nevada.

Prior to this position, Wadhams was a regional operations manager for Golden Tavern Group. There he was responsible for overseeing day-to-day operations for seven PT's tavern locations throughout the Las Vegas valley. Before serving as a regional operations manager, Wadhams was one of the first managers to enter the company's two-year management development program. He has served as an operations analyst, collections manager for Golden Route Operations and executive operations manager for Golden Casino Group, the company's casino operations in Black Hawk, Colo.

In his spare time, Wadhams enjoys hunting, fishing, skiing and watching television.

Wadhams received a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from the University of Nevada, Reno.

Nicholas Kabetso is a sales representative for Golden Route Operations, Nevada's third largest slot route operator managing more than 2,500 machines in more than 200 locations throughout the state. He is responsible for all new account game and system sales in the state.

Prior to his current position, Kabetso served as general manager for one of the company's PT's taverns, where he was responsible for all day-to-day operations of the property.

Prior to joining Golden Gaming in 2004, Kabetso served as beverage manager for Treasure Island Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, where he was responsible for inventory control and bar operations throughout the casino. He has also served as director of beverage for Luxor Hotel and Casino, where he oversaw the beverage management team, as well as cocktail and wine menus, growth of revenue, and implementation of departmental controls and procedures.

In his spare time, Kabetso enjoys spending time with friends, golfing, watching sports, dining out and enjoying all that Las Vegas has to offer.

Kabetso received a Bachelor of Science degree in hotel administration and finance from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.