Interim chief executive named for Tropicana Entertainment

An executive with Icahn Enterprises L.P. has been appointed interim chief executive officer of the Las Vegas gaming company Tropicana Entertainment Inc.

Daniel Ninivaggi, 46, was named to the post last week and will serve as interim president and CEO until a replacement is hired, the company announced in a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

He succeeds Scott Butera, who resigned from the company Dec. 31. Ninivaggi was also appointed to Tropicana Entertainment’s board of directors and will serve as a director until his successor is elected and qualified.

Ninivaggi has served as president of Icahn Enterprises and its general partner, Icahn Enterprises G.P. Inc., since April and as Icahn Enterprises’ CEO since Aug. 4.

From 2003 through July 2009, Ninivaggi served in executive positions with Lear Corp., a global supplier of automotive seating and electrical power management systems