Staff
Randall S. Kasper, Esq. - Founder Agency Leader
Mr. Kasper has nearly two decades experience representing professional athletes and has negotiated hundreds of groundbreaking contracts for his clients. With great emphasis placed on personal service, he has always dedicated himself to tirelessly advocating on their behalf and makes himself available to them around the clock. Randy prides himself on leaving no stone unturned in seeking out endorsement opportunities and negotiating the best deal possible.
The poker world has recognized and appreciated his unique approach to both representing players while at the same time furthering the interests of the poker community at large. This is exemplified by his selection to the Bad Beat on Cancer Advisory Council, being asked to write for BLUFF and ESPN.com, and being tapped by the PPA to assist with legislative issues. Multiple online card rooms have also requested Randy's assistance in creating their own Pro Programs which, for someone who represents players, is yet another tribute.
PPI is the vision Mr. Kasper had, along with Co-Founder Eugene Castro, to combine his extensive background as a sports attorney/agent with their passion for poker by founding Poker Players International. "PPI will revolutionize how the corporate world views poker and how poker players view the world, " commented Randy to summarize his highest aspiration for the firm.
Randy lives in Saint Augustine, Florida with his wonderful wife Cherisse and their children Torren, Sienna, Mia and Sofia. In his free time, Randy enjoys spending time with his family and playing poker (he won the 2009 Borgata Winter Open PLO Championship and has been ranked in the top 10% at various times online in no fewer than 6 poker disciplines).
Eugene Castro - Founder Business Development Leader
Eugene has been an avid poker player for the better part of twenty five years, whether playing with friends and family or to help cover his college and law school tuition -- the game has been a constant in his life. After delving into tournament poker in 2007, Mr. Castro has earned the highest degree of respect from his fellow players following dozens of tournament cashes and several impressive 1st place finishes.
Always seeking the betterment of anything to which Gene dedicates his time, he began to ask himself what he could do to improve the poker community. Upon meeting Randy, the two found their common purpose. Upon careful consideration of the state of the poker world, and after examination of their collective strengths and experiences, they devised the goals, objectives and mission statement for PPI. Among his other responsibilities, Mr. Castro will focus on establishing relationships that are beneficial to a PPI member's quality of life and to creating an Online and Offline environment to enhance member's results.
Eugene has a diverse business background. Among his accomplishments are the establishment of the largest non hospital based sleep disorder clinic in the Midwest, the development of an Internet green product loyalty based program, establishing several health and tennis facilities and the development of numerous ground up residential and commercial real estate projects both local and abroad.
Eugene resides in Nevada with his wonderful wife Kristine and his two daughters Karma and Katie.
Eric Siegel - Founder Marketing and Player Development Leader
Eric brings a diverse business and poker background to PPI. An accomplished player himself, Eric has been deeply involved in the poker community for over 20 years and has garnered the respect of players of all caliber. He has also developed many strong business relationships with tournament directors and others in the poker industry. As leader of Player Development and Marketing for PPI, Eric will serve a vital role in helping players improve their career and lifestyle.
Off the felt, Eric has been a leader in business and his community for two decades. He has taken a start-up business and grown it to national prominence and he serves proudly on the board of The Nephcure Foundation (to raise awareness, improve treatment and find a cure for Nephrotic Kidney disorder and FSGS).
Eric resides in Melville, NY. His passions are poker, sports and film along with enriching the lives of his family and friends.
Duane Helkowski - Corporate Dev.
Duane Helkowski is currently a Managing Director and Head of Corporate and Investment Banking (CIB) at BNP Paribas, a French International Bank based in New York, where he has been employed since early 1995. Within CIB, Duane is in charge of the Gaming Sector and has global relationships with all the significant gaming operators including MGM Resorts, Wynn and Las Vegas Sands at the highest levels within each organization including personal relationships with each of the companies CEO's. His job requires him to travel across the world and he has meaningful gaming contacts in Las Vegas, Macau, Singapore and Australia. Prior to BNPP, Duane was an Assistant Vice President for roughly 7 years, at a Dutch firm called ABN-AMRO, which was later bought by Royal Bank of Scotland.
Duane's background is in Corporate Finance, graduating with a Business degree from Villanova University in 1987, and then receiving a Master's degree in Banking and International Finance from Hofstra University in Long Island in 1991. Duane's full time resistance remains in Syosset, Long Island where he was born and raised and has a 16 year son named Ryan.
While based in New York, since 2004, Duane has also been a part time resident of Las Vegas Nevada, where he owns a home in the Red Rock community of Summerlin. Time permitting Duane is an avid poker player and has enjoyed some modest success over the years in mainly no-limit hold-em tournament events. Most notably Duane place 3rd in a Venetian Deep Stack event in June 2009, and was a ranked player through early 2010.
David Clarke - Strategy Leader
David brings 25 years of Fortune 500 executive experience, in the US and Europe, to the PPI team. At Dun & Bradstreet, David led a $300 million division reporting to the Chairman and CEO. His Sales, Marketing and Technology background make him an ideal fit as we shape our future.
An avid, albeit amateur poker player, David is a British citizen who moved to the US 10 years ago. His passions are his children, poker and skiing.
Arthur Meyerovich - Online Marketing Leader
Arthur Meyerovich has been on the forefront of online advertising since its proliferation. Most recently, he founded G13 Digital, www.g13digital.com, one of the largest video publishers in 2007, with dozens of Fortune 500 clients, S6, the NYC agency he found specialized in online acquisition, lead generation, new product launch, and branding campaigns for clients such as P&G, Covergirl, Pringles, Mars, GSK, Oxy, Paxil, Centrum, M&Ms, Starburst, Rogaine, AMEX, Travelodge, Madison Square Garden, WB, T-Mobile,
and NY Times. Arthur grew the company to 35 employees, over 100 clients, and $1 Million in monthly revenues.
Prior to S6, Arthur participated in building and managing a 15 person sales division pre and post IPO at Mypoints (acquired by UAL) while personally generating $9 Million in sales during his last year. He entered the industry in 1998 at CareGuide, an online resource center for childcare and eldercare facilities.
Speaking Russian, French, and conversational Spanish, Arthur is an avid traveler, having explored 6 continents and over 70 countries.
Peter Hotaling - Player Representative
Peter graduated Bowling Green State University in 2010 with a Bachelors degree in Communications. Since 2007 Peter has been an avid poker player and has garnered wide respect for his on-the-felt accomplishments. After a very successful internship in the industry, Peter became hooked on the business side of poker as well.
Peter, who hails from Southfield, Michigan, joined PPI in late 2009. As a Player Representative, Peter attends major events throughout the country procuring endorsement deals for PPI clients. He also provides support in all areas of day-to-day agency operations.
Aside from poker, Peter enjoys playing ice hockey and attending sporting events.
Bruce Falcon - Account Executive
Bruce brings nearly two decades of sports marketing experience to PPI. A 1991 graduate of Saginaw State University, Bruce is also a Registered Representative with ING and has specialized in investment planning for professional athletes. Over the years, Bruce has worked with athletes in all sports and gained the trust and respect of not only the athletes themselves, but from management and industry alike.
Bruce is a passionate bowler and has been a member of the Professional Bowlers Association for more than a decade, participating in tournaments all over the world. With the breadth of his experience in the sports industry, Bruce will be a true asset to PPI as poker evolves and mainstream cross-marketing opportunities arise.
Bruce currently resides in Bay City, Michigan.
