Prior to joining Boyd Gaming in 2004, Paul Chakmak was a senior member of CIBC World Markets’ West Coast Leveraged Finance Group. He led the firm’s debt origination and structuring group for various sectors, including the gaming, lodging, and leisure industries. Chakmak has more than 18 years experience in investment banking, specializing in structuring, underwriting and distributing senior debt and high yield financing, and in providing financial advisory services. He was promoted to Chief Financial Officer in June 2006 and then to Chief Operating Officer in January 2008.