RSI appoints ex-Governor of Delaware to board of directors
Chicago-based operator announces Jack Markell and Andrew Bluhm as its newest directors, the latter of whom is the son of RSI chairman Neil Bluhm
Rush Street Interactive (RSI) has confirmed the appointment of former Delaware Governor Jack Markell and capital markets investor Andrew Bluhm as Class III and Class I directors, respectively.
News of the two new additions comes after RSI filed a Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Form 8-K, signed by CFO Kyle Sauers, to declare the commencement of Markell and Bluhm’s tenures, both effective immediately.
Markell’s status as a Class III director runs until the company’s 2026 annual meeting of stockholders, while Bluhm’s lasts for a further 12 months, until the 2027 meeting.
The arrival of the duo increases the size of the board at the company behind brands BetRivers, PlaySugarHouse, and RushBet from nine to 11.
Last month, Markell was elected to the board of the New York-listed Graham Holdings Company, having previously served as a director for the conglomerate from 2017 until late 2021.
Markell is also an experienced political figure, including three years working for the US Department of State.
Initially, he joined as the US ambassador to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, but his final year in government came as the US ambassador to Italy and the Republic of San Marino.
Prior to that, Markell was a White House co-ordinator for four years. He has industry experience, having previously served as a board member for Scientific Games, now known as Light & Wonder.
Alongside various board member positions across the education and real estate sectors, Markell spent eight years as the Governor of Delaware between 2009 and 2017, which followed a 10-year spell as Delaware state treasurer.
RSI’s filing notes that Markell’s appointment to the board was made because of his “extensive expertise in the government relations, corporate development, and strategic management.”
Meanwhile, Bluhm is the founder and managing principal of Delaware Street Capital, an “opportunistic” hedge fund that at its peak managed more than $750m in assets, according to Bluhm’s bio.
He also co-founded Otus in 2011, an educational platform that helps users monitor progress and standards-based grading.
Previously, Bluhm served as a partner of real estate investment firm Walton Street Capital in the late 1990s.
Bluhm, who has previously served as an observer to the RSI board, has been appointed in due to his “extensive expertise in finance, investing, and corporate development,” the operator said.
Though Markell qualifies as an independent director, Bluhm has not been deemed to meet the applicable independence requirements of RSI, the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), and the SEC.
Bluhm’s father, Neil, is RSI’s executive chairman and a director, while his sister Leslie is also a member of the board.
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