RIVER BEND CASINO & HOTEL
Gary Johnson
General Manager
My first job was cutting grass in the neighborhood for a dollar a yard. That was when I was 10 years old and I made $100 that year. Since that time I have been a bag boy in a grocery store, a janitor, a car hop and a security guard. I have worked in a department store and a bookstore. I sold water filters and educational games. I worked at a radio station a TV station and in the world’s largest advertising agency handling several Fortune 500 brands. I started my own business and ran it successfully for 7 years before becoming a political representative for Seafarers International, which manned all merchant marine ships and a few naval vessels. In the early 90’s I got into the casino industry and have been in it ever since.
I am a veteran, a college graduate. While in college I was on the varsity track team. I was nominated for an Emmy Award, which I did not win.
In my spare time, I love anything to do with art and I am an avid movie watcher. I also love to travel and have been to Europe, Asia, Canada and Mexico. I have also been on somewhat extensive travels of the U.S.
As a Wyandotte leader I’m ultimately responsible for developing the strategies and building the team that will make the two Wyandotte casinos successful and competitive. I have been in this role for over 10 years and am proud of the team we have built, the property expansion and renovation we completed and the good reputation we have with our guests.
Chris Cizek
Food & Beverage Manager
My work experience comes from variety of different restaurants and Food and Beverage venues. From locally owned small businesses, to country clubs, to historical sites, to fine and casual dining, to chains and corporations I have been a part of the Food and Beverage workforce for 12 years.
Starting in 2007 as a pantry cook for the Bass Pro Shops Restaurants, I also started Culinary School the same year and never looked back. I completed my Associates, Bachelors, and Master's Degree programs in Culinary Arts, Food Service Management, and Hospitality Business. It has become something I am very passionate about and enjoy very much.
My hobbies are few and far between but most of my time away from work is spent with my 3 beautiful daughters Lexi (9), Marlee (7) and Maddie (6). They are a wonderful a handful that make every day better. I also enjoy watching the Saint Louis Cardinals every chance I get.
My role as a Wyandotte leader has become very rewarding, because in my own small piece of the pie I have been able to see a number of people develop into much more than they ever thought possible. I’ve watched some of them begin as dishwashers and becoming highly successful and nearly irreplaceable parts of our kitchen management team. Also seeing our staff staying 3, 4, 5 or more years and growing is very rewarding to me and shows we have built a very positive culture that people want to be a part of.
Casey Ellett
Assistant General Manager
I have been with the casinos since 2009. The majority of that time was spent serving as the Marketing Director for Wyandotte Nation Casino, River Bend Casino and Lucky Turtle Casino. I did have roughly a two-year stint where I was working with 7th Street Casino as well.
Hobbies these days are pretty much all family. I have a beautiful wife, a wild 2-year-old son, and a 10-month-old daughter that is sure to break some hearts.
Joanna Hadley
Marketing Manager
My life journey has been interesting to say the least. I was born and raised in Wyandotte, Oklahoma. I have lived in Joplin, Missouri for quite some time with my husband Mitch. We have been known to flip a house or two, which I would consider a hobby, I am not sure my husband agrees!
I have been in the gaming business for 35 years. I was part of a team that opened Eastern Shawnee Tribal Bingo on December 7, 1984. I worked for the Eastern Shawnee Tribe for 29 years.First, as a Bingo Clerk, then the Bingo Manager and ultimately the Gaming Director. Prior to accepting the Executive Sales position here at River Bend, I was the general manager at Grand Lake Casino.
My passion and spiritual center comes from being a Faith Keeper for the Seneca Cayuga Nation.I am one of six women appointed for a lifetime and I am responsible for keeping tribal traditions intact for future generations. It is an honor and a privilege to hold this position. I work diligently to fulfill my duties. I am also attending Cayuga language and cultural classes. Learning a second language is not an easy task.We are, like many tribes, trying to hang on to our language even if it is one word at a time.
Until recently my role on the management team was different. I can say with absolute certainty that I lead by example. I understand the importance of customer service and use my years of experience to move our team in a positive “Guest Experience” direction. I appreciate the opportunity and I am looking forward to the future.
Vera Hernandez
Cage & Vault Manager
I have been working in the gaming industry for over 12 years. I take pride in working with all of my team members to help them to achieve their full potential and career goals. Through the years, many of those team members have advanced to other departments both within the casino and outside of the casino. I work side by side with my staff and I am always willing to do whatever it takes for the Tribe to achieve success.
I enjoy spending time with my family and friends. I have served as a volunteer on the Johnson O’Malley and Title VI Parent Committee for the Miami Public Schools.
Everett Lowery
Security Manager
My parents were the best a kid could ask for… Camping, fishing, hunting and sports were my life growing up. I stated playing football when I was 10 years old and played into my college years.
After college, I had a business partner and we owned a construction company (Quality Home Improvements) for around four years. I then went to work for Fidelity Savings and Investment and worked myself up from the Collections Department to Branch Manager.
At the age of 34, I decided I wanted a long-term career, so I applied and was accepted to go to work for the Department of Justice for the Federal Bureau of Prisons. I began as a Correctional Officer and again worked my way up to become the department head over the Receiving and Discharge area of the “Con-Air” program. My job was to schedule a 24 hour operations for 45 employees, two 727 airplanes and four Bureau of Prison buses which transported over 100,000 inmates throughout the United States each year. After 20 years with the Government, I retired and moved to Grove, Oklahoma.
My retirement was short-lived, after 60 days, I came out of retirement and started my job as Security Manager with River Bend Casino and Hotel and I have completed my 7th year in this role.
My role as a Wyandotte leader is to “get the job done” and help when and where I am needed. I love taking care of our guests and ensuring that they have a great time while they are here. I also make sure my staff are given the support, knowledge and tools they need to do their jobs well.
My one and only hobby is vehicles, I have a bad habit of buying a new truck or car each year or every two months.
Debbie May
HR Manager
I've been the Human Resource Manager at River Bend Casino since mid-May and enjoy working with all employees here and getting to know everyone. I have been in Human Resources in several industries previously -- retail grocery, manufacturing, warehouse, telecommunications -- and in many locations - NYC, New Jersey, Maryland, Virginia, and Florida. I moved back to this area 8 years ago to be near my family.
When not working, I like to travel, go camping, play musical instruments, ride my scooter, volunteer for greyhound adoption, play with my 3 rescued greyhounds, and work on DIY projects.
Reilly McLaughlin
Facilities Manager
I have worked for River Bend Casino for more than 12 years. I am a member of the Wyandotte Nation and serve on the tribal grievance committee.
I manage maintenance and EVS at River Bend Casino & Hotel, and Lucky Turtle Casino. My role is to maintain a safe, and clean environment for our guest as well as our employees, and to keep behind the scenes equipment operating to the best of its ability. I enjoy being a part of this organization and having the opportunity to make a difference and contribute to my tribe
I am a happily married father of four and wouldn't have it any other way. On my time off from work, I can be found at my kids’ sporting events. Any other free time I have, I like to hunt and fish but my greatest reward comes from time spent with my family.
Melissa Morris
Hotel Manager
My family and friends describe me as one of the most adaptable people they know. I have worn many hats and lived in many places in my years as an “adult”. I enjoy learning new things so I have made many transitions in my career. I have managed in retail, several different aspects of agriculture as well as restaurants and hotels. Each industry has presented its own challenges and I have taken pride in building great teams that can tackle these challenges. I enjoy mentoring young people and encouraging them to push themselves toward their passion.
When I am not working, I enjoy spending time on the lake fishing. I also garden and have an obsession with collecting chickens. I am lucky that I have good friends that let me keep them at their farm. I am still working on my ultimate plan of how to fish and farm full time.
Robert Strang
Surveillance Manager
I grew up on a ranch south of Wyandotte; my family raised beef cattle but mostly ran a cow, calf operation. My youth was spent hunting and fishing in the Wyandotte area. In junior high and high school, I worked for a veterinarian in the Grove area. I spent a couple years working for the Forest Service in the Pacific Northwest fighting wild land fires and assisting with forest management. I spent a year traveling in Europe, sightseeing and enjoying cultures very different from my own
I began my adventure with the Wyandotte Nation at the Lucky Turtle Casino the day it opened. I have enjoyed my time with the tribe very much over the years and consider myself to be very lucky to be a part of this organization.
Daniel Wilkie
IT Manger
Prior to my career in gaming, I served 8 years in the United States Marine Corps as 0311 Infantry Rifleman. I have worked in the gaming industry since 2005 and in IT since 2003. I am currently serving River Bend Casino and Hotel as their IT Manager.
When I’m not working, I enjoy traveling and have been to over 12 different countries. I am also a mechanic, a YouTuber and I design and implement radio communication as a hobby.
