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EMERGING LEADERS Nevada Born & Bred Andrew Diss Senior Vice President, Chief Strategy Officer, Meruelo Gaming f you grow up in Nevada, the epicenter of casino gaming in the United States, it may seem like you are destined for a career in gaming. Sure, there are numerous examples of Nevada natives who have excelled in pursuits outside of gaming. It’s logical, however, that many of the industry’s modern leaders grew up in parallel with the industry’s growth in states where gaming has proliferated. And no state has more of an omnipresence of gaming than Nevada. While Andrew Diss, who grew up in Nevada, didn’t begin his career in gaming, he ultimately made his way to the industry. Diss, the chief strategy officer and senior vice president at Meruelo Gaming, comments on the influence that growing up in Nevada had on him, saying, “You’re always surrounded by the gaming industry, so it’s something present in the back of your head whether you know it or not.” Diss received his undergraduate degree in political science and history, and later a master of business administration, from the University of Nevada, Reno. Upon graduating from his undergraduate program, Diss put his political science degree to work before transitioning to gaming. “I’ve had an atypical path into gaming that started after working for several years in government,” says Diss. “I was initially hired for a government affairs position with the Grand Sierra Resort in Reno that eventually morphed into including the other businesses that our ownership operates, including Sahara Las Vegas, the Arizona Coyotes and several ventures in California.” Commenting on what attracted him to, and keeps him in, the industry, Diss explains, “I enjoy working at the intersection of business and government, where one day I’ll be working on gaming matters, the next day on banking issues, the day after that on land use and construction. It’s always something different, which keeps it interesting.” Diss is quick to give credit where credit’s due when it comes to those who helped him get to where he is today. “My dad has always been the person I look up to most,” notes Diss. “But in my professional career, it’s undoubtedly my boss, Alex Meruelo. He has an incredible American Dream success story, and I am extremely fortunate to benefit from his experience, insight, and mentorship. He’s also one of the most loyal and fair people I’ve worked with.” He offers up one more mentor who’s had an outsized impact on his career, commenting, “I also look up to Phil Satre as the man that has set the bar for integrity and servant leadership in our industry.” While he has excelled at his current company, Diss believes some of the most challenging, yet exciting times of his gaming career came in his early days at Meruelo. “We were in acquisition mode, so just keeping pace with turning around the operations and culture of the Sahara and the Arizona Coyotes was an exciting challenge,” says Diss. Even though Diss notes his early days of gaming were some of his most challenging, he continues to welcome and grow from new challenges in his current role. “The best way to learn how to do something is to actually do it yourself,” says Diss. “I find myself in new situations every day where I am constantly trying to navigate an issue or opportunity for our company that is new and unique.” This perspective on new challenges and openness to learning coincides with Diss’ advice to young professionals within gaming. “The surest way to becoming indispensable is, don’t be afraid to be uncomfortable! What I mean by that is don’t limit yourself to working in areas you already know,” explains Diss. “If you want to advance your career, you need to learn new skills which can be difficult, but it’s the surest way to expand your capabilities and make yourself useful to your colleagues and impress your boss.” —Michael Vanaskie is vice president, international development for The Innovation Group.
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Global Gaming Business DECEMBER 2021
Success in Selflessness Heather Thomas Senior Safety & Loss Control Manager, Yaamava’ Resort & Casino at San Manuel e’ve all heard the expression “There’s no ‘I’ in ‘team’,” but the casino gaming industry is hardpressed to find someone who personifies that expression more than Heather Thomas. In all of the milestones of her long and illustrious career, there is one common theme to be noticed: she prioritizes helping others. When asked about her successes, Thomas highlights the achievements of her employees. When prompted to reflect on her accomplishments, she details the personal and professional growth of those she has mentored. What’s with this woman? Is she just a master at avoiding the spotlight, or is there something more strategic and deliberate to her approach at discussing success? If you guessed the latter, you’re right. For there’s a phenomenon that has occurred throughout Thomas’ career, a well-known strategy that every great manager implements. Take care of your team, and you take care of yourself. The very name of her specialty, “safety and loss control,” speaks volumes to the importance of people and the part they play in making or breaking a company. For instance, Thomas has been in the longstanding habit of encouraging and assisting her direct reports in their own career advancement, to the degree that a staggering 100 percent of them have been promoted within the San Manuel organization. And really, it’s Psych 101. Employees who feel heard, appreciated, and utilized for their skill sets are employees who will work harder and display more loyalty to their employer. An organization that encourages its employees to advance, even if it’s not within their current department, is a special place indeed. Thomas touches on this in her overview of working for the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians (SMBMI) and Yaamava’ Resort & Casino. The culture here ensures that all team members are aware of the part they play in not only contributing to the success of the tribe,
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