Rajat Shah is vice president of corporate development and external affairs for Delaware North Companies, a global leader in hospitality and food service. With more than $2 billion in annual revenue and 55,000 employees, it is one of the largest privately held companies in the world.

Shah is responsible for providing overall leadership in the identification, planning, evaluating, negotiating and executing of growth in new markets or new lines of business through acquisition. He plans both pre- and post-acquisition analysis. His role includes anticipating opportunities and issues in business, public and government relations and providing counsel and direction for program design to support the organization’s adjustment to changing public policies.

Before joining Delaware North, he was the CEO and president at SMS Advisory Services, LLC and has nearly 15 years of experience in businesses such as gaming. He served in various executive roles, including senior vice president of corporate development and general counsel for Seneca Gaming Corporation.

He was graduated magna cum laude from Gettysburg College with a bachelor’s degree in political science and later earned a juris doctoral degree from Vanderbilt University School of Law.