(SHELTON, Washington) – Squaxin Island Tribe has named Michael Starr the new CEO of Little Creek Casino Resort, the tribe’s award-winning entertainment property in the Pacific Northwest near Seattle and Olympia.
With 30-plus years of experience in the gaming industry, Starr comes to Little Creek Casino Resort from Primm Valley Casino Resorts in Nevada, where he managed three hotel-casinos as executive vice president and general manager.
“Michael’s experience, knowledge and successful performance guiding casino resorts to elite stature and quantifiable results appealed to tribal leadership and aligns well with our resort vision and objectives,” said Squaxin Island Tribal Chairman Dave Lopeman.
Starr joins Little Creek Casino Resort during a dynamic time of significant growth. The tribally owned and operated resort – located 20 minutes from Olympia and 75 from Seattle – recently began construction on a full-service spa and unveiled the Skookum Spirit Cigar Lounge last month. It also opened the new Salish Cliffs Golf Club in September, 2011, to best-new-course acclaim from national golf magazines.
“The Squaxin Island Tribe is committed to honoring Mother Earth and the respect and protection of all people,” said Starr. “Tribal members do this exceptionally well, which is evident in their commitment to excellence. Little Creek Casino guests find this dedication throughout the resort with our superb amenities, attention to detail, customer service and commitment to supreme hospitality. It’s an extreme honor to lead Little Creek during its journey as a premier resort destination.”
Starr was previously Senior Vice President and COO of Fontainebleau Resorts-Las Vegas and Miami Beach, Florida. Before joining Fontainebleau, Michael was with the Mandalay Resort Group for 15 years, where he opened Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. In addition, the 1980 graduate of University of Las Vegas Nevada played an instrumental role in the expansion and renovation of Circus Circus Las Vegas and Luxor Las Vegas.
For more information on Little Creek Casino Resort please visit www.little-creek.com or call 1-800-667-7711.
About Little Creek Casino Resort
Owned and operated by the Squaxin Island Tribe, Little Creek Casino Resort features nearly 190 finely appointed rooms, seven dining choices, and authentic Indian art decorating the atrium-style main lobby area, which is built with wood, stone and glass. More than 1,000 slot machines and table games await casino guests, including poker, blackjack, craps, roulette and Texas Hold-Em. Top-quality, live entertainment — comedy, music and other shows — perform in Skookum Creek Event Center, which hosts business and other events for up to 2,000 guests.
