Four Winds Casino Resort in New Buffalo announced Saturday that Matthew Harkness would serve as the casino General Manager. Harkness would bring Four Winds Casino 25 years of experience in executive positions at the New Jersey gaming industry.

Matthew Harkness will enter his new position by the beginning of September. Harkness will be responsible for all the aspects of Four Winds operations. According to John Miller, Chairman of the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians that owns the casino, Harkness was named as General Manager for his vast experience in the gaming industry.

Most recently, Harkness served as chief operating officer for Trump Plaza in New Jersey. Prior to that, he had served senior vice president/marketing at Trump Taj Mahal, executive director/marketing at Trump Marina, and executive director/casino administration at Trump Taj Mahal.

Four Winds Casino Resort is located on I-94 at Michigan Exit 1 in New Buffalo Township. The casino resort is owned by Pokagon Band and operated by Lakes Entertainment, Inc. The casino opening is scheduled to August 2007.