TOURISM & ENTERTAINMENT
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JOSEPH MAGLIARDITI CEO Gila River Casinos wingilariver.com
Magliarditi was named CEO in September 2015. Magliarditi has more than 20 years of experience leading complex gaming organizations and growing the profitability and value of companies in the gaming and hospitality industry. An accomplished senior gaming executive, Magliarditi most recently served as president and CEO at the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas. Prior to joining Palms, Magliarditi served as president and CEO at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, as well as executive vice president at Morgan’s Hotel Group. Goals for position: “I look forward to leading (Gila River Casinos) to new levels of success. We will continue to increase value for our guests and the Gila River Indian Community.”
DENNIS LEONG
President and CEO Casino Arizona and Talking Stick Resort talkingstickresort.com With more than 30 years of experience in the gaming hospitality industry, Leong has held executive management posts with the Trump organization, Caesars, Harrahs, Playboy, Laguna Development Corporation, the Soaring Eagle Casino Resort in Michigan, and the Mystic Lake Casino Hotel in Minnesota. Business advice: “The gaming hospitality industry is first and foremost, a people business. Someone considering this industry as a career must fully understand and accept the fact that we are here to serve the customer and in the process, create a positive and memorable guest experience. Be willing to work harder than anyone else, always treat everyone with respect, and above all else, never allow your integrity to be compromised.”
LOUIS MANUEL
Chairman Arizona Indian Gaming Association azindiangaming.org Manuel is currently a councilman of the Ak-Chin Indian Community. An advocate for education and social and health services, Manuel has served as first vice president of the Inter Tribal Association of Arizona and vice chairman of the AIGA. Manuel has also served as vice chairman of an AIGA subsidiary entity titled ATG2 (Arizonans for Tribal Government Gaming). Leadership strengths: “When I came in (as leader of the Ak-Chin Indian Community), I was able to bring what I learned working on the business side of the casino industry and watching how committees worked with community housing and planning and zoning and understanding what we needed to do to start off and grow those. Those concepts turned into a plan and we were able to move forward.”
JERRY SIMMS
Owner Turf Paradise Race Course turfparadise.net Simms purchased Turf Paradise in 2000. Prior to that he owned automobile dealerships, founded a bank and invested in residential and commercial real estate in Southern California and Arizona. After buying Turf Paradise, Simms invested in a multimillion-dollar renovation plan for the clubhouse and Turf Club, as well as renovating the main and turf tracks. Turf Paradise is now the third-largest sports attraction in the state and holds court to one of the longest seasons of thoroughbred racing in the country. Business advice: “Surround yourself with the best people.” Professional accomplishment: “That which gives me the most pride are the good relationships built over time.” Superpower: “To eliminate disease.” Dream dinner: “Warren Buffet at True Food.” Surprising fact: “I follow a vegan diet.”
KIMBERLY VAN AMBURG CEO Casino Del Sol Resort casinodelsolresort.com
Van Amburg oversees the strategic direction and operation of Casino Del Sol Resort, Sewailo Golf Club, AVA Amphitheater and Casino Del Sol’s sister property, Casino of the Sun. She works closely with the Pascua Yaqui Tribal Council to realize its vision of a prosperous future for its members. Van Amburg graduated from the UA College of Law and serves on the board of the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona. Business advice: “Use critical thinking and data analysis when making hiring decisions. Just because someone has a lot of experience in their industry doesn’t always mean they are the best person for the job.” Childhood dreams: “At a certain point, I knew I wanted to go to law school. I am so glad I followed through with this dream, it turned out to be a fantastic experience.” 178 ABL | Nominate at azBIGmedia.com