Blake L. Sartini is the founder, chairman and chief executive officer of Golden Gaming, Inc. Mr. Sartini formed the company in October of 2001, following his purchase of Southwest Gaming Services, Inc. Today, Golden Gaming has established itself as one of the fastest growing, most innovative and respected gaming and entertainment companies in the U.S. Prior to establishing Golden Gaming, Inc., Mr. Sartini served as executive vice president, chief operating officer and director of Station Casinos, Inc. During his 15 year tenure with Station Casinos, Mr. Sartini held various management positions and served in numerous senior executive roles. Mr. Sartini was instrumental in overseeing Station’s explosive growth from one local casino with approximately 2,000 team members, to eight regional casinos with approximately 12,000 team members. Mr. Sartini co-founded Southwest Gaming Services, Inc. in 1985. The company was evolved into a slot route operation in the early 1990’s where Mr. Sartini served as President. Today, in addition to his gaming interests, Mr. Sartini is a founder, board member and largest shareholder of Nevada’s largest start up bank – Service First Bank of Nevada. Service First Bank was initially capitalized with $50 Million in assets and represents the largest start up bank in Nevada’s history. Service First Bank was opened for business in January of 2007. Mr. Sartini earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in business administration from the University of Nevada Las Vegas.

Prior to joining Golden Gaming as Director of Operations, Todd Parmelee served as Tavern Manager for Golden Tavern Group in 2004 and 2005. From 2005 until rejoining Golden Gaming he held the position of Director of Beverage for the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino. He brings with him extensive knowledge having previously held positions as General Manager of nightclubs and restaurants in Washington, D.C., Seattle and Las Vegas. Todd earned a Bachelor of Arts in Travel and Tourism Management/Marketing from Finger Lakes College in Canandaigua, NY.

As Director of Operations, Todd oversees all operations for our Las Vegas and Reno locations.

Prior to joining Golden Gaming, Ross Gdovin served as an Actuarial Analyst for Aon Consulting, Inc., and Educators Mutual Life Ins. Co., located in Pennsylvania. In addition, he received a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics, from Bloomsburg University in Pennsylvania in 1999. As Director of Database Marketing, Ross oversees the marketing and research operations for Golden Tavern Group which operates 40 taverns throughout Northern and Southern Nevada. Ross joined Golden Gaming as a slot analyst in 2003.

As Director of Database Marketing, Ross oversees 40 taverns in both the Northern and Southern Nevada operations for Golden Tavern Group.

Prior to joining Golden Gaming, Kim Ast was part of the marketing team at Palace Station Hotel & Casino for two years and special events marketing manager for the Silverton Casino Hotel Lodge for nine years. Kim is a native of Las Vegas, Nevada.

As Director of Advertising and Creative Marketing, Kim drives the concept development and design for all Golden Gaming affiliates as well as taverns managed under Golden Tavern Group, NevadaÂ’s largest tavern operator. Kim ensures that advertising and creative needs of the company are being met by overseeing the execution of all creative materials, communicating effectively with creative and advertising team members and being involved in all design stages from initial concepts to the completion of a finished product.

Prior to being named Director of Advertising and Creative Marketing, Kim served as marketing manager for Golden Gaming since 2005.

Ruby Manuel is the Director of IT, Manuel will oversee installation, maintenance, and continuous operation of all computer hardware and software utilized by Golden Gaming, Inc. She will also work closely with vendors and suppliers of IT solutions to facilitate successful product implementation while managing the overall direction, coordination and evaluation of the IT department employees.

Manuel has been a Golden Gaming, Inc. employee since October 2007 and most recently served as IT manager. As IT manager, she was responsible for ensuring the stability, integrity and efficient operation of all in-house information systems while supporting core business functions for Golden Gaming’s Las Vegas and Reno corporate offices and the Pahrump Nugget Hotel and Casino.

Before joining Golden Gaming, Manuel worked with Alaka’i Mechanical Corp. in Honolulu, Hawaii. While with Alaka’i, she was responsible for developing and maintaining minimally invasive solutions procedures, she was in charge of maintaining email server, fax server and web server, and she created test environments for new software and hardware technology.

Manuel received her bachelor’s in business administration from the University of Hawaii at Manoa in 2004.

Tom (Tee-Are) Coleman
Assistant Director of Operations

Thomas Coleman brings with him an extensive background of experience and expertise to Golden Gaming, Inc. Prior to joining the Golden Tavern Group, a subsidiary of Golden Gaming, Inc., Thomas was born and raised in Portland Oregon. In 1987, Thomas who is also known as Tee-Are, moved to Las Vegas. He joined the PT's corporation in 1994, as the youngest Assistant Manager in the company and after assisting in opening several PT's locations moved up to Regional Operations Manager.

Thomas now serves as Assistant Director of Operations overseeing all taverns within the Las Vegas area.

Gian Sapienza has over 10 years of restaurant and bar management experience. Originally from Madison Wisconsin, Gian moved to Las Vegas in 1993, where he began working as a food server at the Planet Hollywood. He soon became the General Manager of ChicagoÂ’s Cactus Club.

With his extensive knowledge and experience, Gian moved to Harrah’s and Rio Hotel and Casino, to become the Room Manager where he managed the VooDoo Lounge and Café. After working for Harrah’s and Rio, Gian became the Restaurant Operations General Manager for the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino. Prior to joining Golden Tavern Group, Gian served as Assistant Director of Food and Beverage for The Palms Hotel and Casino.

As Regional Manager, Gian will be overseeing the operations of 3 Sierra Gold’s, as well as 4 PT’s Gold taverns.

Christopher Trout brings his experience and expertise of the food and beverage industry to Golden Gaming. Originally from Reading, PA Chris moved to Las Vegas in 1996. He started out as a bar back for Boulder Station from 1996 to 2000, later moving on to a bartender position with the Aladdin until 2001. Prior to joining Golden Gaming, Chris was a multi-unit General Manager for GoldfingerÂ’s and MulliganÂ’s.

As a Regional Manager, Chris oversees the operations of 7 PTÂ’s locations throughout Las Vegas.

Jerry Abbott brings with him an extensive background of experience and expertise to Golden Gaming. Prior to joining Golden Tavern Group, Jerry served as part of the Management team at the Marina Hotel as well as The Elephant Bar and The Inn Zone among others. Jerry was born and raised in Las Vegas.

As a Regional Manager for Golden Tavern Group, Jerry oversees the operations of 5 PTÂ’s taverns throughout Las Vegas.

Shawn Donovan brings an extensive background of experience and expertise to Golden Gaming, Inc. Prior to joining Golden Tavern Group, Shawn served as a sergeant in the United States Air Force, and on the management team of Big Dog's Bar & Grill.

In 1996 he joined PT's Entertainment Group in Southern Nevada, and served as a Regional Manager for 7 taverns throughout the Las Vegas area. Shawn transferred to Reno as Regional Division Manager in 2005 to oversee 8 tavern locations including Sierra Gold, Sierra Junction, Sparky's Sports Bar & Grill, and the Gold Bar.

He rejoined the Las Vegas operation in 2007, Shawn now serves as Regional Operations Manager overseeing operations for 8 PTÂ’s locations throughout the valley.

Lance Marcos brings with him an extensive background of experience and expertise to Golden Gaming, Inc. Prior to joining the Golden Tavern Group, a subsidiary of Golden Gaming, Inc., Lance had been in the F&B industry for over 16 years. Lance started his culinary career while attending U.C. Davis in 1991. He then moved to Portland, Oregon and continued to refine his skills working in fine dining restaurants within the Kimpton and Heathman Groups. Lance graduated from Western Culinary Institute in Portland in 1997 and was hired as Executive Chef of Lucy's Table, a top ten rated Zagat restaurant. He decided to move to Reno, NV in 2000 where he opened the Reno PF Chang's China Bistro.

Lance started with Golden Gaming, Inc. in Reno in June 2004 when we launched our Sierra Gold concept, he began as Chef and later took over as GM of the property. In September 2005, he was transferred to Las Vegas as F&B Regional Manager and currently oversees our Las Vegas kitchen operations.

Dina Babb has over 25 years experience in the service industry. Prior to joining Golden Tavern Group, Dina was a Senior Manager at The Cheesecake Factory in Las Vegas. While there, she was responsible for overseeing management, guest services, team member training and food quality control.

As Regional Service Manager for the Golden Tavern Group, Dina supervises all team member training and management at each of Golden Tavern Group’s 40 locations.