In my decades of working in the Hospitality and Gaming Industry, I have met hundreds (if not thousands) of professionals. I have watched many of those individuals rise through the ranks to achieve great success in earning their reputations for character and integrity in leadership.
When the idea of a “Best of The Best” rank was first discussed with colleagues at the last G2E gathering in Las Vegas, it sounded like a grand idea to recognize those individuals at the top of the profession. Peers and co-workers are encouraged to nominate professionals who deserve recognition.
We organized a small group of industry insiders to select candidates to be honored with the “Best of The Best” recognition.
We applaud the success of leaders who show us the way to do business and thrive, in any environment.
DENNIS P. RIZZO
President/CEO
Bentley Price Associates, Inc.
Bentley Price Associates is happy to announce that Wynn Resorts Encore Boston Harbor VP of F&B Brian Fountain has joined our “Best of The Best” list. Patrick Miller began his career with MGM Resorts International more than 25 years ago. His first job was as a Pit Clerk at The Mirage. He probably never imagined he would be elevated from the pit to the corner office nearly three decades later. Argelia Medina, our latest addition to the Bentley Price Associates Best of The Best list currently serves as the Chief Human Resources Officer for the Tohono O’odham Gaming Enterprise (TOGE)/Desert Diamond Casinos, and she is an enrolled member of the Tohono O’odham Nation. As VP F&B, Josef Wagner is responsible for the overall vision and strategic direction of the AAA Five Diamond and Forbes-rated Bellagio Resort & Casino, Park MGM, and NoMad Las Vegas over $500M in annual Food & Beverage revenues. Dan Nogal keeps good company as the latest inductee to the Bentley Price Associates’ “Best of The Best” list. In 2006, Birtha was recognized as one of the “Top 40 under 40” business executives in Las Vegas and, more recently, as one of the “Faces of Cleveland 2016” and the “Sacramento 100” most notable business leaders in 2021. As president of the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Sacramento, he keeps rising to the top of the game. When you work with HR executives around the globe, you begin to recognize special talents. Elise Campbell is a unique individual who balances the needs of all stakeholders. We welcome her to the Bentley Price Associates’ “Best of The Best” list of human resource professionals in the hospitality and casino gaming industry. Dawn Clayton has come a long way since she dealt craps in Atlantic City. After four decades she has become one of the most admired businesswomen in hospitality. She joins the “Best of The Best” in Executive Operations. Christina Clifton is motivated by a passion for all things restaurants. As Chief Operating Officer of the Columbus Hospitality Group, she has an impressive career in the food & beverage industry. This month she joins the Bentley Price Associates’ “Best of The Best” list. Peter Sherlock, Executive Director of Food & Beverage for Chumash Casino on California’s Central Coast has many talents. He is an award-winning executive chef and an accredited sommelier.
Encore Boston Harbor’s Brian Fountain Named F&B “Best of The Best”
MGM Resorts International SVP of Hospitality Patrick Miller Joins “Best of The Best”
Argelia Medina, Chief Human Resources Officer at Tohono O’odham Gaming Enterprise
Josef Wagner, VP Food & Beverage, Bellagio Resort & Casino
Dan Nogal, Chief Human Resources Officer at Chumash Enterprises
Hard Rock Sacramento’s Mark Birtha Joins “Best of The Best”
Navajo Nation Gaming’s Elise Campbell Named “Best of The Best” in HR
Thunder Valley Casino Resorts’ Dawn Clayton Joins “Best of The Best”
Columbus Hospitality Group’s Christina Clifton Joins “Best of The Best”
F&B Executive Peter Sherlock Named to “Best of The Best”