Mashantucket — Foxwoods Resort Casino announced Wednesday that it has hired a former Newark, N.J., economic development official as vice president of development.

As senior vice president of real estate development for the Newark Community Economic Development Corp., Jesse Luis helped businesses and developers with their real estate needs and oversaw efforts to repurpose vacant city-owned parcels. In his new role, he will lead planning for new ventures and assess current and potential new business opportunities, including Foxwoods’ retail concourse, according to a press release.

“Jesse’s impressive experience, which includes strategically expanding everything from popular quick-service restaurants to luxury resort hotels, will prove invaluable as Foxwoods looks to bolster its exciting development opportunities in 2018 and beyond,” Felix Rappaport, Foxwoods’ president and chief executive officer, said.

Luis was vice president of North America development for Dolce Hotels and Resorts from 2012 to 2014, vice president of Real Estate Development Services for Choice Hotels International from 2008 to 2011 and vice president of North America Real Estate for Marriot International from 2007 to 2008.