Chris Feeney is a distinguished C-Level financial executive renowned for his consistent record of creating and accelerating shareholder value within multibillion-dollar public and private corporations. With a career spanning over three decades, he has demonstrated exceptional proficiency in tackling complex financial challenges and devising innovative solutions that drive organizational growth and success. His functional expertise encompasses extensive M&A and real estate development, public and private debt issuance, and capital structure management. Possessing a hands-on leadership style, Chris combines his ability to delve into intricate details with a strategic vision that empowers finance teams to enhance business performance, align strategies, and execute effectively.
Since 2010, Chris has served as the Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Delaware North Companies, Inc., a multibillion-dollar privately held hospitality and gaming company. Under his financial stewardship, the company achieved nine consecutive years of record revenues and EBITDA from 2011 to 2019. Chris played a pivotal role in driving improved financial planning and analysis (FP&A), restructuring the finance organization, and recruiting high-performing leaders. He also provided strategic guidance to the executive team, ensuring a fact-based approach to portfolio evaluation, growth strategies, and credit metrics.
Chris has led a successful transformation program that evaluated the company’s then-current operating model and, in essence, restructured the company’s marketing, information technology, and human resources departments, resulting in increased agility and clearer roles and responsibilities. The transformation program has provided $44 million of run-rate cost savings to date.
Chris also serves as a key internal advisor to the Jacobs family of Buffalo, NY, and has advised them on a broad range of issues related to their holdings, such as the Boston Bruins, TD Garden, New England Sports Network (NESN), Delaware North Sportservice, Delaware North Parks & Resorts, Delaware North Gaming & Entertainment, Patina Restaurant Group, Delaware North Travel & Hospitality, Delaware North Australia, and Delaware North U.K. Partnering with the Jacobs family and the Delaware North Board, Chris formulated a plan for generational transition.
His expertise in M&A has been instrumental in several transformative acquisitions for Delaware North, including the $180 million purchase of Jumer’s Casino & Hotel, the $187 million acquisition of Patina Restaurant Group, and the $130 million SkyCity Resort & Casino acquisition—the company’s largest international investment. In addition, Chris spearheaded significant capital structure initiatives, including the renewal and upsizing of revolving credit facilities to $750 million and the private placement of $1.4 billion in notes with institutional investors. His efforts to modernize financial processes and implement advanced technological platforms such as PeopleSoft 9.2 and Hyperion have delivered over $9.6 million in recurring annual savings.
Prior to his tenure at Delaware North, Chris held senior leadership positions at Wyndham Worldwide Corporation, where he served as Senior Vice President and Treasurer. During his time there, he maintained the company’s S&P investment-grade rating through the 2008 housing crisis, closed $2.75 billion in multibank asset-backed loans, and issued $1.9 billion in asset-backed securities. At Sunrise Senior Living, he executed complex joint ventures and acquisition deals, driving the development of senior living communities. His contributions at Marriott International included facilitating growth-oriented financial transactions, negotiating high-value leases, and devising innovative financing mechanisms.
Chris’s career also includes key roles at EY, Ocwen Financial Corporation, and the FDIC, where he gained deep expertise in consulting, acquisitions, and regulatory matters. His academic foundation is equally impressive, with a Juris Doctor from the University of Virginia School of Law and an MBA from the University of Pittsburgh. A Phi Beta Kappa graduate, he earned his Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Washington & Jefferson College, graduating cum laude.
Beyond his professional accomplishments, Chris actively contributes to the community and industry. He is a member of the New York Bar and Financial Executives International and volunteers at the Food Bank of Western New York. He has served as a Board Member of the Albright Knox Museum since 2014 and was honored as the commencement speaker for the University of Pittsburgh College of Business Administration in 2018.
Chris Feeney’s exceptional track record of leadership, innovation, and financial acumen underscores his status as a transformative executive dedicated to driving sustainable growth and value creation.
Character: Chris Feeney exemplifies integrity, dedication, and a results-driven leadership style that fosters accountability and excellence within his teams.
Knowledge: With deep expertise in M&A, capital structure management, and financial operations, he delivers innovative solutions to complex financial challenges.
Strategic: He drives growth by aligning organizational goals with actionable strategies, leveraging data-driven insights to enhance performance and achieve sustainable results.
Communication: Chris is a skilled communicator who effectively collaborates with stakeholders, including boards, investors, and finance teams, to build consensus and drive impactful decisions.
