issue 1 - My PNK

issue 1
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w
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p i n n a c l e
e n t e r t a i n m e n t
®
Opening Summer 2012
Pinnacle Entertainment’s
Hotels & casinos
L’Auberge Lake Charles
Casino Resort
Lake Charles, Louisiana
Lumière Place
Casino & Hotels
SM
River CitySM Casino
St. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis, Missouri
Boomtown® Casino
New Orleans, Louisiana
Bossier City, Louisiana
Reno, Nevada
Belterra® Casino Resort
Florence, Indiana
River DownsSM Racetrack
Cincinnati, Ohio
Must be 21 or older. ©2012 Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc. All rights reserved. Pending licensure
by the Louisiana Gaming Commission. Persons who are on the Louisiana Disassociated
Persons List are not eligible for jobs on the casino floor.
Dear Pinnacle Team Members,
Welcome
to mypnkmagazine.
This publication is all about you, PNK’s team members. When I envisioned this, the
one thing that kept coming to my mind is “about team members, by team members”.
I wanted this magazine to celebrate the diversity every one of our colleagues brings
to our great company. I hope that by getting to know our team members a little bit
better through stories and photos, we will make more personal connections with
the people we work with. I am really looking forward to learning more about the
remarkable people we have on the Pinnacle Entertainment team. If you are inspired
to write a story of your own, I encourage you to do so.
I hope you enjoy reading our inaugural issue of mypnkmagazine.
Anthony Sanfilippo
President and CEO
Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc.
asanfilippo@pnkmail.com
All the Best!
“Big Tony” aka the CEO
To submit your stories, suggestions, or provide feedback on featured articles, please email us at mypnkmag@pnkmail.com.
CONTENTS
02 a quarter century at pnk
04 adventures in paradise! | do you know jack?
05 Rolling With the Punches
06 an interview with noah besheer
08 it’s magic!
09 TABLE TENNIS | BATTLE OF THE BELTERRA BANDS
10 IF YOU COULD HAVE ANY SUPER POWER
12 MAN OF ACTION!
14 HORSING AROUND | IN THE CARDS
15 THE BODY SLAM YOU NEVER EXPECTED
16 BETHANY SUPPLEE
17 ROLLING THROUGH THE LINES | PRIMA BALLERINA
18“END OF LEGEND” | FOOTBALL FRENZY
19 7 FUN FACTS ABOUT LBR GENERAL MANAGER
20 THE FAST AND THE NOT-SO-FURIOUS | MOTIVATED TO MENTOR
Photo by: Zoltan Zoldi
21 SOCCER SENSEI (ALEJANDRO SIERRA) | HEART OF GOLD
22 THERE IS NO JOY IN MUDVILLE
05 POW! David Gonzalez, Guest Service
Supervisor, boxes to relieve stress.
1
///////////// belterra ///
A Quarter
Century
at pnk
By: Steve
Newsome
Advertising
Specialist
Belterra
Casino Resort
It was a year that began on a Wednesday, filled with
major world events and pop culture sensations like
Top Gun. Gas was only 89 cents and on October 13
a small town girl began working a new job.
Phyllis Chase, Lead Cook at
Belterra Casino Resort, is
Pinnacle Entertainment’s
longest employed Team
Member after starting in
1986. 26 years later she’s
still excited to come to
work each day. Phyllis began her career at
the Ogle Haus Inn, which was built by local hero Paul
Ogle, and is rumored to be haunted. She was first a
dishwasher, then worked her way into a cook position.
2
In 2000 when Belterra Casino Resort was under
construction Phyllis recalls preparing meals for
Team Members. “They were just box lunches
at first but then we got to feed everyone in
the dining room just before the property
opened.” She also remembers being
a bit of a prankster in her 26 years
in the food biz. “We were joking in
the kitchen one day with Chef John
about baseball. They were saying I
couldn’t throw but I knew I could
swing a bat so I picked up a loaf
of bread we used to make subs. Long
story short I ended up hitting Chef in the
head; I never laughed so hard in my life.”
It would
seem if this
outgoing
jokester
were a salad
she’d be
Ambrosia;
slightly
nutty but
still sweet.
In her spare time Phyllis loves to travel and says
Alaska is somewhere she would love to visit.
“From the pictures I have seen it’s a beautiful place.”
Asked why she loves to travel so much she smartly
retorted, “Well I don’t sew so I have to do something
with my spare time.” She also noted that she enjoys
reading about the Frontier and Amish culture.
“I just find their plain lifestyle to be interesting.
I’m not fancy myself you know,” she said with a smirk.
With 26 years in the business Phyllis was bound to
have secrets to success and maybe some ideas for the
future. “I think if you just show up to work every
day and be positive you’ll enjoy it. I love the people I
work with and am proud to be part of a great team.
It feels like home at Belterra,” she said. A few laughs
later the conversation came to thinking about what she
would do if she were CEO for a day. “Well,” she said
with a big breath, “On top of giving everyone a free
meal I think I would give everyone an extra week’s
pay. We can’t give them all a vacation at once though,
somebody has to run the place,” she teased.
It’s true that our people are what make our business
great and this plucky cook with an infectious smile is
shining proof of this. In
honor of
being Pinnacle’s longest
serving Team Member, it is
hereby declared that all
Ambrosia salads served
at Belterra will be known
as a “Phyllis Chase”.
I think if you just show up to
work every day and be positive
you’ll enjoy it. I love the people
I work with and am proud to be
a part of a great team.
Photo by: Steve Newsome
Photo by: Steve Newsome
Phyllis added, “We also spent a long while convincing
one of our cooks that he had phone calls when
the phone never even rang.”
3
///////////// BOOMTOWN RENO ///
Adventures in
Paradise!
By: Aaron Lafinier,
Human Resources & Risk Manager,
Boomtown Reno
Below are some of the highlights of her trip
that she enjoyed with her boyfriend Sean.
There
are no
lows
when
you’re
in Maui!
Photo by: Caitlyn Lombard
“Our trip to Hana was the best part of the
vacation because we got to do some hiking
in such a beautiful place. The black sand
beach, waterfalls, and pools were all worth
getting up at 4:00 a.m. to make the drive.
We went snorkeling off the beach and swam
into sea turtles, which was great, too!”
While there are really never any bad
experiences in paradise, Caitlyn did have a
hiccup or two in her plans that she shared:
“There are no lows when you’re in Maui!
But if I had to name one, it would be
having our activities cancelled due to wind/
rain. I was really looking forward to going
snorkeling at the Molokini Crater! And the
fuel pump problem on the plane that turned
us around, that was a bummer.”
4
Photo by: Zoltan Zoldi
Boomtown Reno’s “Team Member of
The Year” winner, Caitlyn Lombard,
Human Resources Coordinator, recently
enjoyed an all-expense paid vacation.
She chose the beautiful island of Maui.
///////////// las vegas ///
Do you know
jack?: Jack Godfrey
By: Jessica Leslie, Digital Marketing Manager, Las Vegas Center
Pinnacle’s Executive
Vice President, General
Counsel & Secretary,
Jack Godfrey, embodies
the company mission
to be “The Best Casino
Entertainment
Company in the
World.” He stated,
“It is important
to have a hobby
and most
importantly a
sense of humor;
it helps to keep things
in perspective.”
Jack certainly practices
what he preaches.
He spends time writing,
recording and performing
music both as a band
member and as a solo
performer. Jack is an
avid golfer and spends
even more time golfing
than he spends on music.
Although very talented
with music, Jack always
knew it was only a
hobby. He and some
friends started a band
called Winslow Ridge
while attending law
school in the 1970’s.
The band took their
name from a line in
the song, “Take It Easy”
by their favorite band,
The Eagles. Winslow
Ridge’s original five
band members reunited
in 2009 to practice
and begin performing
again. They will be
playing three shows
during the first quarter
of 2012.
e
h
t
h
t
i
W
g
n
i
Roll
///////////// las vegas ///
David
:
s
e
h
c
n
Pu
Gonzalez
By: Iris PeterS,
Senior Business Analyst, IT
Las Vegas Service Center
David Gonzalez, Guest Service Supervisor,
has worked for Pinnacle for about a year.
One of David’s hobbies outside of work is boxing.
Photo by: Zoltan Zoldi
He started boxing over a year
ago, using the sport for physical
conditioning and to relieve
stress. He goes to the gym 3 or
4 times a week, often with his
young daughter. One of David’s
goals is to teach his daughter
that anything is possible as long
as you have the determination
to work through any obstacles.
He remembers the first time
he was hit near his temple.
He never knew what it was
like to see stars from a blow
to the head! This was quite
an experience – getting hit
on the head taught David to
keep his gloves up. On another
occasion while sparring, he
noticed blood running from
his partner’s nose. David was
amazed that he was capable
of causing damage to
someone else.
His goal is to continue to lose
weight, increase physical fitness
and some day move on to
practice Jiu Jitsu. So far, David
has lost nearly 40 lbs and hopes
to lose even more.
o
David wants t
ghter
teach his dau
that anything
h
is possible wit
n.
determinatio
5
Photo by: Noah Besheer
///////////// saint louis ///
An
Interview
with
By: Lisa Mariani,
Internal Communications
Manager, Las Vegas
Service Center
Noah
Besheer
Sherpie Award
Winner and Social
Media Expert
Extraordinaire!
As many of our team members in St. Louis know,
Noah Besheer is a friendly, smart, and talented guy.
He sings all day, every day, apparently preferring to
sing teen pop songs over anything else. While some
may be annoyed by listening to Selena Gomez, Maroon
5 or Justin Bieber songs all day long, Noah’s colleagues
actually join in! But that’s just scratching the surface.
It’s been said Noah has a completely zany, yet intuitive
sense of humor. His comedic timing is “perfect”
according to Candice Coleman, his supervisor.
“During particularly stressful days, he never fails to
make people laugh and smile.”
He’s been known to blurt random things out of the
blue, never taking himself too seriously, which actually
adds to Noah’s charm. Those who have the pleasure of
working with him absolutely adore him.
6
Noah eats at least six meals a day, including brunch and
“linner” (the meal between lunch and dinner). With all
the time he spends eating, one has to wonder how he
is able to accomplish all the work that goes into being
a Social Media guru, but he seems to
manage it just fine. So well, in fact, that Noah recently
had the honor of representing Pinnacle Entertainment
to discuss the organization’s social media efforts
at G2E, the Global Gaming Expo.
While there, Noah and his team were recognized for
their innovative social media work. I spoke with Noah
about his Sherpie Award; an award won in
the category “Best Online-Meets-Offline Promotion”.
Presented during G2E:
Q. Where did the idea for the
coin hunt “Hide and Go Eat”
promotion come from?
A. It was a group effort. We wanted
to promote the rebranding of 1904
Steakhouse, but do it in a way that
was interactive; that would give our
guests a chance to win something
in a fun, new way.
QA
A. About two and a half years total
– a year and a half with Pinnacle
Entertainment.
Q. What is your favorite thing
about social media?
A. Favorite is
being able to
provide instant,
high-quality
customer service
on-line. I’m allowed
and encouraged
to be as creative
as I want.
Q. When did you find out you
won the Sherpie?
A. Masterminds had asked me
to speak on a panel presenting
case studies of successful social
media campaigns, so I knew a few
days before – we had to get the
presentations ready!
Q. What was the first thing
that crossed your mind when
you found out you won the
Sherpie Award?
A. “Cool.” It was great because we
also won last year for “Best Use of
Twitter in the Casino Industry”.
Q. How long have you been
doing strategic social media?
Photo by: Noah Besheer
Q. Any “acceptance speech”
thoughts/comments you
want to share?
A. I’d like to thank my team –
it really was a team effort.
I’m lucky to work with a team of
really smart people. I’m happy to
work for Pinnacle Entertainment,
and I hope we can bring home
more awards in the future.
Indeed, Pinnacle Entertainment is fortunate
to have Noah on our team.
7
IT’S
///////////// lumiÉre place ///
By: Mark Hughes,
MAGIC!
Security Shift Manager, Lumiére Place
The lights and sounds in a casino are magical, offering
amazing feats of guest service and memorable experiences.
The same excitement attracts all walks of life to join our
team. Small wonder we conjured up a real magician at
Lumiére Place Casino and Hotels in St Louis!
In case you hadn’t heard, “Demitri
the Mage”, A.K.A.
Matthew Olson,
is appearing daily
in our Security
department.
Photo by: Matthew Olson
Olson joined Lumiére Place
in August 2011 as a Security
Officer. I asked him what
attracted him to the profession,
and Olson replied, “I like the
psychology of magic because
of the visual and verbal influence
you have over people. When you
understand their behaviors, you can
anticipate their actions. That’s how security
officers interact with most of the guests.”
Born in Minnesota, Olson moved to St Louis
five years ago. He found his passion as a magician at the age
of eight. He has been performing professionally since age
10 and, of course, he is a member of the “International
Brotherhood of Magicians” as well as the “Society for
American Magicians”. In his spare time, he razzle-dazzles
crowds with his unique “hocus pocus” at private parties.
8
You can also catch Olson on the graveyard shift at Lumiére
Place Casino and Hotels in St Louis. And as a surprise
for your eyes, he just might pull a rabbit out of his hat
or perhaps make one disappear. And that’s no smoke
and mirrors!
///////////// boomtown reno ///
Table Tennis
Tournament
By: Rosalinda Rodriguez,
HR Generalist, Boomtown Reno
Photos by: Rosalinda Rodriguez
Congrats to everyone
who participated!
Boomtown Reno had its first Table Tennis
Tournament, which had 25 participants. Every match
was exciting and kept everyone on their toes. Team
Members came in on their days off to show support
and root for their coworkers. There was a great display
of sportsmanship after every match. Everyone had lots
of fun, from the spectators who were entertained at
every moment (even during the warm ups!), to the
judges who had balls flying at them (they were hit a
couple times), to the participants who were making
amazing dives and spins.
Our winners, with their amazing
cat-like and lightning-fast
reflexes, were 1st place Stasys
Pranskevicius, 2nd place John
Downs, 3rd place Sigitas Jakaitis,
and 4th place Tom Montesano.
///////////// belterra ///
Battle of the
By: Melissa Johnson,
Belterra Bands
Security Officer, Belterra
Photo by: Jamie Royce
It seems a combination of some dry humor, a combined
49 years of playing music and Indiana pride makes these
local lyrical lords a cover-band success story.
Southern Indiana is about to turn up the volume with two local
bands, both lead by Belterra Team Members. Jamie Royce and his band,
Nowhere Band, spend their off days rocking out at bars and venues in Madison, IN. Not to
be outdone, however, Terry Jacobs and his troupe, Dryfork Band, chime in all over Switzerland
County. When asked a series of questions, we are able to gain a bit of insight into what makes
a local band rock. Perhaps the first key to victory is sharing a love
of Classic Rock. Dryfork mentioned they would like most to open for Lynyrd Skynyrd
whereas Nowhere Band dreams of opening for guitar legend Eric Clapton. While the boys in
Switzerland County spend their time in the “House of the Rising Sun”, Madison’s finest work on
their “Night Moves” for inspiration. It’s seems a combination of some dry humor, a combined 49
years of playing music and Indiana pride makes these local lyrical lords a cover-band success story.
9
if you could have any super
Clairvoyance
or precognition
I’d want to be
a shape-shifter
Sherdell Hord,
Data Management
Specialist
Scott Brewer,
Manager - Construction
Project Accounting
Ability to fly!
Fred David, Director
of Casino Performance
Teleportation
Invisibility
Probably Flight
Ben Rothmel,
Labor Counselor
Rachel Bieck,
Slot Floor Person
Steve Kizer,
Facilities Supervisor
The Midas Touch
Amazing
Strength
Ben Chalmers,
EVS Attendant
Ralph Haar,
Warehouse Specialist
Shane Colletta,
Spa Attendant
Kelly Bistok,
Jack Daniels
Bartender
Rhiya Alexander,
Security Officer
The ability to
regenerate
quickly
Read minds!
I would love to
be able to fly
The ability
to stop traffic
Stephen Casanave,
Server, Ember grille
& wine bar
to manipulate
time
The ability
to stop time
I would want
to breathe
underwater
Sierra Molina,
Talent Specialist
Haley Weeks,
Talent Specialist
Caroline Ellard,
Talent Specialist
To fly
Lawanda Thompson,
Cage Shift Manager
The ability
to heal!
Sharon Grigsby,
Payroll
To be in
many places
at one time
To own a lasso
of truth like
Wonder Woman
Elsa Hernandez,
Pier 4 server
Vandolyn Reese,
Slot Floor Person
To fly
To be invisible
Cory Brayboy,
Security Officer
Ametria Washington,
Table Games Dealer
power, what would it be?
the ability
to teleport
I would have
to go with
teleportation
Jillian Ream, Senior
Analyst, Business Development
Jennifer Bauer,
Learning Operations
Specialist
Time travel
Bill Anthony,
Network Engineer
Super sensitive
hearing
The ability for
multiple things
to happen at once
The ability
to fly
Richard Skidmore,
Security Officer
Charneice Carter,
mychoice Representative
Charlotte Kawa,
Lead Retail Clerk
Mind reading
Super Speed
Ericka Parker,
Assistant Slot
Shift Manager
Veta Crosswhite,
Labor Counselor
The power to
populate myself
Jason Johnston,
Advertising Manager
I would want
to be invisible!
The power of
slow motion
I’d love to
have an inner
remote control
Amber Sonnier,
Concierge
Vikki Shearman,
Events Specialist
Kristin Broussard,
Social Media Specialist
The ability
to be at any
place, any time
I would like
to have mind
control
Emily McNeil,
Benefits Administrator
Yolanda Robertson,
HR Coordinator
To be able
to change
the world in
some way
Shawanda Hooper,
Bayou Market
Buffet Cashier
Regeneration
Roko Tvrdeic,
Banquet Supervisor/
Coordinator
To see exactly
two minutes
into the future
Breath
underwater
Chad Gomez,
Security Officer
Amber Richards,
HR Representative
To fly
Read minds
Gary Kimmell,
Valet Attendant
Rusty Dickson,
Engineer III
I would love to
be a mind reader
Brenda Dunn,
Sales Coordinator
Man of
///////////// lumiÉre place ///
By:
Gerad Hardy,
Director Hotel and
Development,
Lumiére Place
Photo by: hicham jaddoud
Action!
I am passionate
about helping
guests and
creating great
experiences.
12
Team Pinnacle St. Louis, please meet
our very own ‘International
Man of Action’, Hotel Lumiére
Front Desk Supervisor, Hicham
Jaddoud. Jaddoud was born in Lyons,
France and is of Moroccan and
French descent.
While he grew up and went to school
in France, Jaddoud also spent 18
months working in Koln, Germany
at Sheraton Hotels and Resorts before
moving to St. Louis, Missouri in 2008
via an opportunity with his employer
at the time.
Jaddoud’s background continues to be
a large influence in his professional
and personal life. He speaks
five different languages
(French, German, Arabic,
Spanish, and English)
and is actively involved
in two international
organizations. Jaddoud also
serves as the Social and Fund Raising
Director for the St. Louis Chapter of the
United Nations and is also the newly
elected Secretary General for the Junior
Chamber International! He obviously
loves to give back.
“I am passionate about helping guests
and creating great experiences. I love
this industry and want to continue to
grow and advance. One day I will
be a General Manager,” said Jaddoud
with glee.
In the meantime, when he’s not
working or engaged with civic
activities, Jaddoud enjoys judo…
that’s right, judo!! Jaddoud has
been taking judo since he
was nine-years-old and he
proudly holds a black belt.
He has competed in tournaments
locally, and in Chicago… this is why
we say ‘Watch out for this
man of action’!
13
Photos by: hicham jaddoud
///////////// St. Louis ///
Photo by: renee dahlmann
HORSING AROUND!
She’s very serious about her job,
but she adores horsing around.
Go figure. Renee Dahlmann loves
her palominos… and stallions…
and thoroughbreds… the list goes
on. The adorable Guest Experience
Manager at both Lumiére and River
City was just a little girl when she
discovered her passion, but it took
some time to discover her true
life’s calling.
By: Candice
Coleman
PR Manager, St. Louis
America Horse Rescue in Southern Illinois. This unbelievable
organization rescues retired thoroughbred racehorses.
She singlehandedly saves them from slaughter. She also cleans
their stalls, feeds them, checks them for injuries, walks and
rides them, loves on them, and retrains them so they will be
adoptable. And with a little help from above, she hopes to find
a few that will make great therapy horses.
In 2009, Dahlmann finally found her PATH – that’s
Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship.
Every Saturday, she dedicates her life to teaching
special needs children how to ride horses. The motion
of horses helps children develop their motor skills.
“I have loved horses since I was 8 years old and still have
the passion for horsemanship. Mid America Horse Rescue
and Equine-Assisted Therapy are genuinely fulfilling in their
own ways. Rehabilitating and retraining Thoroughbreds for a
second chance in life closely mirrors equine therapy, whereby
putting special needs kids on therapy horses, their quality of
life improves as well. I am truly blessed to be a key part of
these two non-profit organizations, moving them forward in
the years to come,” said Dahlmann.
But that didn’t satiate Dahlmann’s joy of being around these
gentle giants. Which is why she became involved with Mid
Helping children and horses. HAY – she certainly
found the best of both worlds.
In the Cards
After a standout high school baseball
career at McLeur High School in St.
Louis, Tony went on to star at Meramec
Community College, where he holds
the record for most strikeouts in a game
at 19. After transferring to UNLV, Tony
finished off his college career at Mizzou
where we was an All Big 8 pitcher.
14
Tony signed with the Single ‘A’ Cardinals
in Eerie, Pennsylvania in 1987. After
being released in 1990, Tony went
back to Meramec Community College
to coach. While throwing batting
practice before a game, he caught the
attention of some scouts. “Who is this
guy throwing the heat?” he recalls. That
same night, the Royals called him for
a tryout. He reluctantly went to try out
and they liked what they saw. On his
first night with the Baseball City Royals,
he recorded a save.
The Royals brought in new management
the following year and they offered
Tony a bench coach position with the
Big League team. He held that postion
Interactive Media Specialist, St. Louis
for two months before officially retiring
from baseball.
His hurling days taught Tony that it’s
all about the team – a mindset he uses
everyday on the floor. It’s also brought
out a competitive spirit that has served
him very well at River City.
Next time
you see Tony
on the floor,
ask to see
his baseball
card. He
might just
surprise you.
Photo by: tony russo
Tony Russo, Table Games Shift
Supervisor at River City Casino, is right
at home in the casino floor pits. He loves
being in the center of the action; this we
know. But did you know before his
days of managing dice, chips, and
cards Tony was a member of the
Cards? That’s right – the
St. Louis Cardinals!
By: Noah Besheer
///////////// lumiÉre place ///
The Body Slam
you Never Expected
By: Noah Besheer
Interactive Media Specialist, St. Louis
His Lumiére Place colleagues might describe Cecil Lowe as nice,
calm, fun to be around. But ask his Mid Missouri Wrestling
Alliance opponents and you’ll get a completely different story.
Every weekend, Lowe travels all over the country as ‘Ronnie
Paxton, THE ULTIMATE BAD GUY’.
Lowe grew up watching his grandfather wrestle on Sundays at
the Chase Hotel in St. Louis. After each knock down, drag out
wrestling brawl, the whole family would go to church. Lowe
knew this was his calling.
The self-proclaimed ‘Teddy Bear’ wouldn’t hurt a fly during
his day job as Lead Steward at Lumiére Place. But when he’s in
character it’s all an act that fans evidently eat up. “I try to keep
my work and my wrestling completely separate,” says Lowe.
“One time I threw someone through a glass door – he survived,”
Lowe laughs, recalling that moment. He continues, “I called
immigration on an opponent and got him deported. Another
time, a fan came up to me at the movies, and I threw popcorn
in his face; he loved it,”
During Lowe’s 30-year wrestling career, he’s been MMWA World
Heavyweight Champion four times, and he routinely performs in
front of crowds of 20,000 plus. Wrestling has taken him all over
the globe to the places such as Japan, Guam, Korea and Vietnam.
Maybe he’ll get to visit the new Pinnacle Vietnam property in a
few years.
Lowe was on tour with WWE for three days, training with
superstars like Edge, Christian and Rhino. His agent is currently
talking with TNA, one of the largest wrestling organizations on
the planet. When he’s not slamming opponents in the ring, Lowe
loves spending time with his wife, who ironically, he met at a
wrestling show. He also adores playing X-Box with his children.
Yep, he’s a Teddy Bear.
Photo by: cecil lowe
“I never take a day off,” Lowe explains. “When I get back after
midnight on Sundays, I drive straight to Lumiére, sleep in my
car for a few hours, and start my shift at 6:00 a.m.”
Ronnie
‘Paxton,
THE ULTIMATE
BAD GUY’
15
///////////// belterra ///
Bethany
Supplee
Bethany, a part-time
beverage server
at Belterra, is a
team member with a
passion for dance.
She’s been dancing since the
first grade. Her passion likely
stems from her mom who
was a cheerleading coach.
Photo by: Bethany Supplee
Bethany was born and raised
(and still lives in) Carrollton,
Kentucky. While in college,
she was a member of the
Western Kentucky University
16
dance team. She attended
the 360 Dance Studio
in Louisville where she
broadened her dance skills.
Currently, she attends the All
That Dance Studio in LaGrange.
Bethany has been active on
the dance competition circuit
(and she has pictures to
prove it!). She’s participated
in all of the following
competitions over the last
couple of years: Ohio Star
Ball, Atlanta Open, Indiana
Challenge, Savannah Dance
Classic, Volunteer State Dance
Challenge, Atlanta Open, and
the St. Louis Star Ball.
Her ultimate goal
is to become a
professional
dancer. She’s set a short
term goal of trying out
for the Cincinnati BenGals dance team in 2012.
Furthermore, she’d like
to become the first female
ballroom dancer to win on
So You Think You Can Dance
(which happens to be one of
By:
Brian
Zekl,
Career
Development
Manager,
Belterra
her favorite TV shows along
with Dancing with the Stars,
Modern Family, Ringer, and
Revenge).
Bethany spends up to three
hours per week perfecting
her dancing technique. She’s
adept at both Ballroom and
Latin dance styles. She’s got
talent and isn’t afraid to
show it. Best of luck to her
next month at the Indiana
Challenge!
Her ultimate goal is to become
a professional dancer.
///////////// l’auberge lake charles ///
Photo by: Jerry Forester
Ballerina
“having
skates
on my feet
is just an
exhilarating
feeling.”
By: Kerry Andersen,
Director, Regional Communications and PR, Louisiana
the Lines
After a shift serving coffee and
sweets at L’Auberge, Natalie
Fararro changes out of
her uniform and into roller
skates, fishnet stockings and
booty shorts; and transforms
into Frisky Fiasco #337. Natalie
joined the Lafitte’s Ladies roller
derby team in 2010 as a jammer.
On a 5-woman team, she tries
to break through the pack while
the other team’s members try just
about everything but tripping and
hitting to keep her from passing.
Although there are rules in flat
track roller derby, most crowds
still go to watch the bumping and
mychoice Center, L’Auberge Lake Charles
grinding of the girl pack and the
(often orchestrated) fights. From
the day she met her ‘sisters’, Natalie
fell in love with the action and says
“having skates on my feet is just
an exhilarating feeling.” Practice
is demanding but a great workout
where the ladies learn proper falling
techniques, how to run on skates
and legal ways to stop on wheels.
Sprained and twisted ankles and
knees are not uncommon; one team
mate even broke a shoulder at a
game! Despite the risk, Frisky Fiasco
enjoys stepping away from her daily
routine and creating a new persona
out on the court.
Vice President of Marketing Julie Ragusa and her
team are known for working behind the scenes
to create memorable moments for our guests.
But she’s just as comfortable taking center stage
with her dancing shoes on… toe shoes that is.
Julie studied ballet for 15 years, was a
principal dancer and soloist for the Lake
Charles Civic Ballet and later taught and
choreographed ballet, jazz and lyrical
dance… winning awards and inspiring a new
generation of ballerinas. Some of her former
students now even work at L’Auberge. This
stunning photo was taken when Julie was just
16 and rehearsing Hoedown at a regional ballet
festival. Few dancers can soar to such heights and
she makes it look easy. Julie has her toe shoes
planted firmly on the ground these days but
enjoys watching her daughter Gabriella dance.
She also lends her time and talent as a board
member for the Lake Charles Civic Ballet, currently
working on a performance of Sleeping Beauty.
Photo by: Julie Ragusa
Rolling Through
By: Derryon D’juan Esprit
Prima
17
Photos by: Jerry Forester
///////////// l’auberge lake charles ///
“End of
By: Kelly
Castille,
Hospitality Host,
L’ Auberge Lake Charles
Legend”
A Bartender with a Story to Tell
When L’Auberge bartender Damon Willis dreams… he dreams
in color. When he’s not behind the bar handcrafting cocktails for our guests, he is
creating stories filled with fantasy and
illustrated with genius. Damon is an inspired
artist and author who started drawing when he was just nine
years old and was always encouraged by his father and twin
brother. He studied art, animation and media arts and often
uses computers to bring his vision to life. Damon recently
published his first book, “End of Legend”: In Search of the
Warrior Queen, a tale inspired by his interactions at work
and complete with comedy, love and fantasy.
You can check out his work
at www.damonwillis.com or
purchase his novel at www.
authorhouse.com.
Damon is fascinated by the visual
uniqueness and development of characters.
He dreams one day of working with creative powerhouses
Pixar, Dreamworks and Dreambot Studios. Until then, he
entertains guests and readers alike with his vivid imagination,
storytelling and creative illustrations.
///////////// l’auberge baton rouge ///
Football
Frenzy
By: Kerry Andersen,
Director, Regional Communications
and PR, Louisiana
As a payroll specialist for L’Auberge
Baton Rouge and other Pinnacle
properties through the years, Shawn
Piper is always popular because he’s
cutting paychecks! But this quiet,
unassuming team member takes
on a whole new persona when
he gears up and hits the field as
18
a superstar with the Louisiana
Indoor Football League. The
former wide receiver for Louisiana Tech
transitioned to the IFL as a receiver
and defensive back playing for the
Louisiana Swashbucklers, River City
Rage, Dallas Desperados and Omaha
Beef. A fan favorite, Piper shines on the
field and gives the ‘love’ back to his
vocal fan base as quickly as he snaps a
football. He loves nothing more than the
Photos by: Shawn Piper
camaraderie that comes from being part
of a team… except winning, of course!
He also demonstrates his love for the
game by coaching inner city youth. You
can check out Shawn’s moves in person
when the Louisiana Swashbucklers
open their season against the Alabama
Hammers on March 17th in Lake
Charles. You can be sure his fellow
Pinnacle team members will be there
rooting him on!
Fun
Facts
about LBR General
Manager Mickey
Parenton
By: Kim Ginn
L’Auberge Baton Rouge VP of Marketing
1
2
3
First Job: Working at
his family’s Po’boy Shop
in New Orleans
6
7
Fave Music: Michael
Jackson, U2 and Better
Than Ezra
Entrepreneur: Mickey
Most Indulgent
owns several Jamba Juice
Purchase Ever:
franchises; he’s passionate
A shiny, new 2005
about living a healthy lifestyle.
Chevrolet Corvette. It was
washed away by Hurricane
Greatest Obstacle
Katrina two weeks after he
Overcome: Hurricane
bought it. Ouch!
Katrina wiped out
Mickey’s New Orleans home
and workplace. He and his wife
had to relocate to Memphis to
rebuild their lives. They feel
blessed to be safe, together
and back in Louisiana.
4
5
Favorite Way to
Unwind: lunch, ice-cream
and laughter with his
daughter.
Photos by: Baton Rouge Business Report
///////////// l’auberge baton rouge ///
Dream Job (other than
his own): Managing or
owning an NFL team –
Mickey avidly supports LSU
and the New Orleans Saints
and loves to tailgate.
19
///////////// boomtown bossier city ///
The Fast and the
Not-So-Furious
By: Matthew Brontoli,
Photo by: Matthew Brontoli
Employment Coordinator, Boomtown
Bossier City
Leroy doesn’t just race
cars he builds them too.
Boomtown Bossier City’s Leroy
Scroggins has a need for speed.
At Boomtown he is Chief Engineer,
but when he’s not at work you can find
him on the race track racing cars and
motorcycles. His main race car is a 1987
Ford Mustang with a 355 small-block
engine. The Mustang has a nitrous oxide
set-up that reaches up to 1,200 horse
power. Leroy races his Mustang on a
quarter mile track in Gilliam, LA at
Thunder Road Raceway. He races every
weekend either in Texas, Louisiana,
or Mississippi. Leroy says he has
always had a passion for racing, since
growing up around it as a child. His
first race was when he was 17 years old.
However, Leroy doesn’t just race cars
he builds them, too. He owns a garage
in Shreveport that he runs on the side.
Leroy brings the thrill of the track to
Boomtown!
///////////// boomtown new orleans ///
Motivated to Mentor
Human Resources Coordinator, Boomtown New Orleans
George Powell, a
deckhand here at
Boomtown New Orleans,
was recently awarded
the Community Service
Award at our 3rd
quarter Employee
Recognition Awards
Ceremony. He was
nominated by one of his
peers who noticed his
outstanding commitment
to mentoring young men.
I recently sat down with
Mr. Powell in a one-on-one
interview to learn a little
more about what he does
and why. We spoke about
what interested him about
20
mentoring and what was his
motivation to be so persistent
in doing so. He mentioned
that he was the eldest of eight
children and grew up around
a large family, specifically
lots of uncles, who always
mentored him and made sure
he was setting great examples
for his younger siblings and
instilled in him that being
average was not acceptable.
In 1998 he started his
contributions to the
community by periodically
serving food at homeless
shelters with one of his
uncles. He also worked with
different schools offering to
spend time mentoring at-risk
kids after school at charter
schools in the Algiers,
Louisiana community.
His focus and goal when
mentoring is to pass on some
of the knowledge he acquired
throughout his years.
“A lot of times, these kids
today just need someone
they can talk to that will
listen and understand their
struggle.” Mr. Powell says
he finds that when he shares
some of his own stories that
helps to break the ice. I asked
George what was the most
challenging thing about
mentoring on his own.
Photo by: Boomtown New Orleans
By: Lenier O’Neal,
His answer was “negative
people”, followed by the
statement, “Those individuals
only motivate me to try
harder.” George Powell’s
story is just an example of
how simple mentoring and
community service can be.
///////////// boomtown new orleans ///
///////////// boomtown bossier city ///
Photo by: Alejandro Sierra
Heart of
G ld
By: Matthew Brontoli,
Employment Coordinator, Boomtown Bossier City
(Alejandro Sierra)
By: Lenier O’Neal, Human Resources Coordinator, Boomtown New Orleans
When Alejandro Sierra, a security
officer at Boomtown Casino New
Orleans, was first asked by an old
friend to help coach a local high
school soccer team, his first thought
was no. But then he had a change
of heart and decided to attend a
practice. When he arrived, the
rain was pouring down and the
team was standing on the sidelines
waiting for it to slack. Once the
rain slowed the team proceeded
to practice in the drizzle. After
observing the practice, Alejandro
saw that the team was dedicated
and decided to help coach.
It has been four years
since that rainy day and
Alejandro has
committed his free
time to coaching
both the boys and
girls soccer team
at Helen Cox High
School in Harvey,
LA. In addition
to teaching the kids the history
and fundamentals of soccer, he has
also charged himself with the task
of being a mentor and a counselor
by stressing the importance of
education first. Alejandro’s
commitment to the soccer
program has paid off in a
big way. Under his leadership
the team grew from 8 players to
almost 2 dozen, and last season –
for the first time – the boys’ soccer
team was able to attend the state
playoffs. Alejandro has also had
the opportunity to see all of the
seniors he has coached graduate
each year. Of that group, several
of the students have gone on to
college and have received
athletic scholarships.
Being a positive
mentor and role
model is not an
easy job but
Alejandro seems
to have mastered
the art of doing so.
Her objective is making
sure no one feels lonely
during the holidays.
Photo by: Boomtown Bossier City
Soccer Sensei
It doesn’t take long after
meeting Patricia Rushing to
understand that she has nothing
but love in her heart. Patti works as a
PBX Operator at Boomtown Bossier and volunteers
at the Airport Park Senior Citizens Center.
She first started volunteering there in 2007
upon her mother’s arrival. Out of the goodness
of heart Patti, does something special for the
60 plus residents on all major holidays. On
holidays like Labor Day and Halloween, she
bakes cakes and delivers them to the center.
For Christmas, she dedicates a substantial
amount of time acquiring donations to assist
her in purchasing gifts for all of the residents and
their visiting family and friends. Patti focuses most
of her efforts on the residents who do not have
visitors. Her objective is making sure no one feels
lonely during the holidays. Patti has a very humble
demeanor in all her community contributions,
and is a shining example of Pinnacle team
members giving back to the community.
21
Photo by: Boomtown New Orleans
///////////// las vegas ///
By: scott breweR,
Project Accounting Manager, Las Vegas Service Center
In keeping with the obligation I have to deliver unbiased, objective news,
I sat with two of the team’s top players, the dynamic duo of pitcher Greg
Jensen and catcher Jessica Leslie, to remind them that while there is more to
the game than winning, winning is all that really counts for this reporter.
“Now Greg, as pitcher
you’ve recorded four
strikeouts this season,
correct?”
“…yes,” Greg said
hesitatingly.
“Each was against
a girl? “...yes...”
There
is no
Joy in Mudville
When asked if she thought it was a coincidence that the Rounders’
single victory came during the only game she missed, Jessica offered
no response but did return a scathing scowl.
For the Rounders, there’s always next season.
Currently boasting a record of one win and
nine losses and standing poised to not win
the season’s championship, the outlook isn’t
brilliant for the Pinnacle Rounders as they
quietly wind down a less than stellar season.
The five-star service Pinnacle Entertainment is known for can be found within each
and every one of our team members.
But the five stars that represent that service
can also be found throughout this magazine.
Think you can find all five before anyone else?
Prove it, and win a great prize!
Submit your answers via twitter to @Pinn_Pipeline #PNKStarSearch or via email to
mypnkmag@pnkmail.com – the first three people to find all five stars will win. Good luck!
Visit us online at www.mypnkmagazine.com.
Published may 2012