What initially drew you to the casino and hospitality sector and what have been the most transformative experiences that helped shape your understanding of a well-run operation? 

I first started in hotels from the ground up and became a young GM at 24. After a period of time, a friend of mine was starting his own company and said, ‘why don’t you come work with us? Make a commitment because otherwise you’re just wasting your time.’ I said alright and made a commitment for a year to see how it works. After one year, I decided to go out on my own.

I said, ‘Tony, I have a different way of approaching it. We’re friends and someday you’ll come work for me.’ He did... I started in a room with a rotary phone. Try dialing 50 numbers per day with a rotary phone. There wasn’t any hotel travel index, no computers and I started off with the Yellow Pages. But I also started to develop the techniques I use today that got me close to the client and the right candidate.