With more than three decades of leadership in the gaming and hospitality industry, Kenji Hall stands as a transformative force behind one of the most celebrated casino resorts in the country. As General Manager of Yaamava’ Resort & Casino at San Manuel, Hall leads the strategic execution of daily operations across gaming, hospitality, and entertainment, while championing a workplace culture rooted in excellence, collaboration, and purpose.
Since joining San Manuel in 2017, Hall has played a pivotal role in the property’s evolution. As Chief Operating Officer-Hospitality, he spearheaded the renovation of Bear Springs Hotel and launched a series of high-performing food and beverage outlets, driving record-breaking revenue. Later, as Chief Operating Officer-Casino, Hall oversaw the expansion and rebranding of Yaamava’, guiding it to become the largest casino in the West with over 7,400 slot machines, 165 table games, and five high-limit rooms.
Under his leadership, Yaamava’ has earned a constellation of prestigious accolades, including:
- Great Place to Work® certification multiple years in a row
- AAA Five Diamond designation
- Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star rating for the Serrano Spa
- USA TODAY 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards for Best Casino Outside of Las Vegas, Best Casino Hotel, and Best Casino Restaurant (The Pines Modern Steakhouse)
- Newsweek Readers’ Choice Awards for Best Overall Casino Outside of Las Vegas and Best Native American Casino
Hall’s leadership philosophy is deeply aligned with the Yuhaaviatam values of the San Manuel Nation, emphasizing community impact, team empowerment, and guest-centric innovation. His commitment to service excellence is evident in initiatives like “Kicks for Kids,” which provided hundreds of new shoes to children in need, reflecting the resort’s broader mission of giving back.
Before joining Yaamava’, Hall held executive roles at Hilton Hotels, Boyd Gaming, MGM Resorts International, and Primm Valley Resorts, where he managed operations across multiple properties in Nevada. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Hotel Administration from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. He has served as an adjunct professor at his alma mater, mentoring the next generation of hospitality leaders.
Congratulations to Kenji on his selection to our Best of The Best list!
DENNIS P. RIZZO
President & CEO
Bentley Price Associates, Inc.
