IGT Operations Manager, Promoted 9 Times, Says Company Encourages Advancement

IGT Operations Manager, Promoted 9 Times, Says Company Encourages Advancement

Ed Gilbert, a 32-year veteran of IGT who currently serves as an Operations Manager, joined GoLocal LIVE to speak to how he started at the company when it was GTECH — and rose through the ranks to be in his position today. 

Gilbert, the youngest of 8 who was raised in Washington Park in Providence, attended Broad Street Elementary, then Bishop McVinney, then Our Lady of Providence, started at GTECH “about a week out of high school” for what he thought was just going to be a summer job — and 32 years later, he’s had 9 promotions — and is still with IGT.

“It’s been a great ride,” said Gilbert. 

Currently, IGT is requesting a 20-year contract extension with the state of Rhode Island, and recently concluded hearings at the Rhode Island General Assembly to answer legislators’ questions. 

Gilbert reiterated that only 60 employees out of the 1,000 plus at IGT in Rhode Island are required to service the state's contract — and that the state risks losing the hundreds of jobs that are guaranteed in the current proposal. 

“When I started in operations, you find out in the lottery industry — there are actually people behind those lottery terminals, there’s a system that’s processing those transactions with state agencies, and it just opens your eyes to networking communications, technology, training, learning — it really did make go, ‘I want to do more,’” said Gilbert. 

Gilbert spoke to the various roles he’s had at IGT throughout his career — and how the company’s flexibility has allowed him to pursue coaching girls’ basketball in the community. 

“They give you the tools and the vehicles to advance your career, they make sure that you have what you need — and that’s really important,” said Gilbert.

The segment is sponsored content by IGT.