# Ray Tanzer Returns to Stern

**Source:** Pinball News Website  
**Type:** article  
**Published:** 2014-04-29  
**Beat:** Pinball

**URL:** https://www.pinballnews.com/news/tanzer.html

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## Analysis

Ray Tanzer, a legendary pinball mechanical engineer and game designer, has rejoined Stern Pinball in April 2014 after a five-year tenure at Namco America. He previously spent 11 years at Stern (including its predecessor Sega Pinball), designing iconic games like Street Fighter 2 and Stargate. Tanzer returns to lead operations projects including a planned facility relocation and supply chain improvements.

### Key Claims

- [HIGH] Ray Tanzer spent five years at Namco America as Director of Mechanical Engineering and Operations — _Article opening and Stern official statement_
- [HIGH] Ray Tanzer previously spent eleven years at Stern/Sega Pinball in Engineering and Product Development — _Stern official press release statement_
- [HIGH] Ray Tanzer designed games including Arena, Bone Busters Inc., Class of 1812, Street Fighter 2, and Stargate — _Article career summary_
- [HIGH] Stern Pinball was planning a move to larger facilities in 2014 — _Official Stern statement and article multiple references_

### Notable Quotes

> "Ray now returns to Stern's Operations team with responsibilities across several large projects, including a planned move of the company to new, larger premises."
> — **Article author**, n/a
> _Confirms Tanzer's return and primary operational responsibilities at Stern_

> "In his new Operations role, he will serve the company by leading several large projects including a planned move into larger facilities, process improvement initiatives through the extended supply chain and upgrades to the company's Total Quality Management system."
> — **Stern Pinball official statement**, April 29, 2014
> _Official description of Tanzer's scope and strategic focus areas_

### Entities

| Name | Type | Context |
|------|------|---------|
| Ray Tanzer | person | Legendary pinball mechanical engineer and game designer; former Stern VP, returned to company in 2014 |
| Stern Pinball | company | Major pinball manufacturer; Ray Tanzer returned to company in 2014 as VP of Operations |
| Namco America | company | Coin-op company where Ray Tanzer worked for five years before returning to Stern |
| Sega Pinball | company | Company that became Stern Pinball in 1999; Ray Tanzer worked there from February 1996 |
| Premier Technologies | company | Early employer where Ray Tanzer began his pinball career |
| Street Fighter 2 | game | Pinball game designed by Ray Tanzer |
| Stargate | game | Pinball game designed by Ray Tanzer |
| Arena | game | Pinball game designed by Ray Tanzer at Premier Technologies |
| Bone Busters Inc. | game | Pinball game designed by Ray Tanzer at Premier Technologies |
| Class of 1812 | game | Pinball game designed by Ray Tanzer at Premier Technologies |

### Topics

- **Primary:** Personnel movement and industry talent, Stern Pinball operations and business expansion
- **Secondary:** Historical pinball game design and mechanical engineering, Manufacturing and supply chain management

### Sentiment

**Positive** (0.85) — Article presents Ray Tanzer's return as a positive development for Stern, highlighting his extensive experience and strategic value. Tone is professional and celebratory.

### Signals

- **[business_signal]** Stern Pinball undertaking process improvement and quality management system upgrades (confidence: high) — Official statement mentions 'process improvement initiatives through the extended supply chain and upgrades to the company's Total Quality Management system'
- **[business_signal]** Stern Pinball planning facility relocation to larger premises, indicating company growth and expansion (confidence: high) — Multiple references in article and official statement to 'planned move into larger facilities'
- **[personnel_signal]** Ray Tanzer returns to Stern Pinball from Namco America, representing a significant talent acquisition for company operations and strategic initiatives (confidence: high) — Official Stern press release confirming Ray Tanzer's appointment and previous employment history

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## Transcript

Date: 30th April, 2014

Stern Pinball's former Director of Mechanical Engineering and Game Design, Ray Tanzer has rejoined the company after spending five years as Director of Mechanical Engineering and Operations at fellow coin-op company Namco America.

Ray Tanzer

Ray began his pinball career at Premier Technologies designing games such as Arena, Bone Busters Inc., Class of 1812, Street Fighter 2 and Stargate.

He joined Sega Pinball in February 1996 to head up their mechanical engineering division, staying with the company as they became Stern Pinball in 1999, up until the end of 2008 when he left to join Namco.

Ray now returns to Stern's Operations team with responsibilities across several large projects, including a planned move of the company to new, larger premises.

Here's what Stern had to say about Ray's appointment:

Stern Pinball Strengthens Operations

Ray Tanzer Returns to Stern Pinball’s Expanding Team

Melrose Park, IL – April 29, 2014 – Stern Pinball, Inc. announced today that Ray

Tanzer has joined its growing Operations team. Ray comes to Stern from Namco where
he served as Vice President of Engineering and Manufacturing. Prior to joining Namco,
Ray spent eleven years with Stern in the Engineering and Product Development areas.

In his new Operations role, he will serve the company by leading several large projects
including a planned move into larger facilities, process improvement initiatives through
the extended supply chain and upgrades to the company's Total Quality Management
system.

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_(Acquisition: raw_text, Enrichment: v1)_

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*Exported from Journalist Tool on 2026-04-13 | Item ID: 8d5ea7ad-baa4-40f2-83e5-3448fc7122a6*