Desert Diamond Casinos & Entertainment last week announced the hiring of Mike Bean as its new CEO. Following an extensive nationwide search by the Tohono O’odham Gaming Enterprise (TOGE), Bean was selected to take over the operation of three casinos in Southern Arizona and one in the West Valley. He begins this week and will report directly to the TOGE management board.
Bean has served in senior management positions at some of the largest and most reputable gaming operations in the country, including Mohegan Sun, Foxwoods Resort Casino, Harrah’s Entertainment and Boyd Gaming. At Foxwoods, Bean was part of the team that grew the first casino on the east coast outside of Atlantic City from 1,200 team members to more than 12,000.
Over the course of more than a decade, Bean played an integral leadership role in the successful development, opening and operation of Mohegan Sun Pocono, Pennsylvania’s first casino and Mohegan Sun’s first commercial casino. Most recently, Bean served as CEO of the Saginaw Chippewa Gaming Enterprises, overseeing three locations. According to a news release, his record of leadership makes him ideally suited to oversee the roll out of new gaming opportunities at Desert Diamond Casinos under the compact amendment that was approved earlier this year. His insights will also be invaluable as TOGE continues to build out its West Valley facility.
“Mike Bean has the experience and expertise that we’re looking for in our next CEO,” said Justin Manuel, chairman of the board. “This is an exciting time for tribal gaming in Arizona. We need a leader who is forward-thinking and ready to embrace a new era of gaming in our state. Mike understands where we’re going and what we want to accomplish—for our Enterprise, for the Tohono O’odham Nation, and for our community partners across Arizona.”
“I am proud to become part of this great organization and to have this tremendous opportunity,” said Bean. “Desert Diamond Casinos has an incredible team in place and a record of providing quality gaming entertainment. The future of Desert Diamond Casinos is bright and I am honored to take the helm as we move forward with new gaming.”
