GGRAsia – White House insider Ado Machida to head Hard Rock Japan

White House insider Ado Machida to head Hard Rock Japan

Oct 25, 2018 Newsdesk Japan, Latest News, Top of the deck

Ado Machida as been appointed as the new president of Hard Rock Japan LLC, the parent firm Hard Rock International Inc announced in a press release.

Prior to joining the firm, Mr Machida worked in Navigators Global LLC, a management consulting organisation specialising in strategic government relations, crisis management, and business development, stated the release, published on Tuesday.

Mr Machida was also director of policy implementation for Donald Trump’s transition team following Mr Trump’s victory in the U.S. 2016 presidential election. Mr Machida “was responsible for managing more than 200 people to develop the strategic action plans for the Trump administration”, said the release.

Additionally he acted as chief domestic policy officer for U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney as well as serving in various roles for U.S. senator Bob Dole and his then presidential campaign. Mr Machida has also held positions with Goldman Sachs and Co, including in Japan’s capital Tokyo, and also worked at the Boston Consulting Group, working out of Tokyo.

“Ado is well versed in foreign affairs and has specialised in international law, finance, business development, and team building,” the release quoted Hard Rock International chairman and chief executive Jim Allen as saying. “He will play a key role in leading Hard Rock Japan’s expansion efforts in developing a new luxurious Japanese integrated resort.”

Hard Rock has declared itself a contender for a casino licence in Japan, with its executives suggesting that the company was best positioned – among the likely bidders – to link with local partners for a licence, given the group’s current presence in the entertainment sector in that country.

Tuesday’s release also included comments by Edward Tracy, Hard Rock’s chief executive for Asia. “With Machida’s Japanese fluency, his understanding of the Japanese culture and legal knowledge, along with his passion and experience in building bilateral business partnerships that focus on sustainable success, Ado has the leadership skill set that brings a key component to our team,” Mr Tracy was quoted as saying.