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.
Brian Gullbrants, President of Wynn Las Vegas and Encore, has been a champion for change in his own career and for the properties he manages. Christopher Fava earned his recognition as “Best of The Best in Food & Beverage” over a 20-plus-year career. As Vice President of F&B at Yaamava Resort & Casino at San Manuel in Southern California, he oversees 1,600 employees. David Carroll is responsible for all global human capital endeavors, including operations in 74 countries, including 185 cafes, 25 hotels, 12 casinos, and more than 45,000 team members. In his current leadership role at MGM Resorts International, as President & COO of CityCenter, Anton Nikodemus has oversight of operations for the AAA Five Diamond ARIA Resort & Casino, Vdara Hotel & Spa, and most recently, The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, which was acquired by MGM Resorts in May 2022. Mike Bean, Chief Executive Officer of Desert Diamond Casinos & Entertainment has been in the hospitality and casino gaming industry for over a decade earning a place on the Bentley Price Associates “Best of The Best” list. As the first female president of Atlantis Bahamas, Audrey Oswell is well-versed at being first in line and head of her class. When Jason Guyot became President and CEO for Foxwoods Resort Casino in 2020, he was the first member of the Mashantucket Pequot Tribe to lead the organization. Allie Evangelista, a native of Brazil, moved to the United States in 1998. Her first hotel job was in housekeeping. Now, she is a top executive with Hard Rock International running their new hotel and casino in Bristol, VA. Cynthia Kiser-Murphey, an industry superstar, is the GM of the first Native American-owned Las Vegas casino resort. Our “Best of The Best” shortlist takes many things into consideration. A strong executive background in the hospitality and casino gaming industries is at the top of that checklist. John Elliott hits that mark.
Wynn Las Vegas’ Brian Gullbrants Named “Best of The Best”
Yaamava’s VP F&B Christopher Fava
Seminole Hard Rock’s SVP Human Resources David Carroll
MGM International’s Anton Nikodemus Names Executive Operations “Best of The Best”
Mike Bean Named Executive Operations “Best of The Best”
Atlantis Paradise Island’s Audrey Oswell Joins the Bentley Price “Best of The Best” List
Foxwoods’ New President/CEO Jason Guyot Joins “Best of The Best”
Hard Rock International’s Allie Evangelista Named to “Best of The Best” List
Cynthia Kiser-Murphey Joins “Best of The Best” Among Industry Executives
John Elliott Named to “Best of The Best” List
