The Foster School of Business at the University of Washington recently honored Snoqualmie Casino with the William D. Bradford Minority Business of the Year Award. The Bradford Award, named for former Foster School Dean William D. Bradford, is presented to a leading minority-owned business in Washington.
Snoqualmie Casino received this award for its leadership of the University’s Tribal Gaming and Hospitality Management program. The casino serves as both a field classroom and a program participant, sending tribal members for education and development.
“A strong part of our success comes from our focus on team member development among both our tribal and non-tribal employees,” said Brian Decorah, Snoqualmie Casino president and CEO. “Along with specific job skills training that help in current positions, we strive to help team members grow upwards in our company through tuition reimbursement programs, leadership training, and we recently launched a four-tier career development track series that guides team members through specialized branches of casino operations.”
As a result of these programs, Snoqualmie Casino has also seen several tribe members recently earn promotions to positions of leadership.
Mary Burley recently assumed the role of beverage manager, having worked her way up through several positions since Snoqualmie Casino’s opening in 2008. Originally starting as a beverage server in 2008, she grew in responsibility and title as a shift supervisor, outlet coordinator, and now beverage manager.
Amber Holloway began her career at Snoqualmie Casino in 2015 as a catering sales coordinator and received a promotion to supervisor as her expertise growing banquet sales became evident. In 2018, Holloway expanded her tribal operations education by participating in the University of Washington’s Tribal Gaming and Hospitality Management program. Through her dedication and expanded experience, she earned a promotion to catering sales manager in 2018.
Troy Wyatt began as a Sno Café lead cashier at the casino in 2014. His career expanded as he added breadth to his roles as a marketing intern, a host in Vista Steakhouse, and as an entertainment event coordinator. Having demonstrated his passion and technical expertise during Snoqualmie Casino’s Summer Concert Series, he has recently earned the role of entertainment operations manager.
Being recognized as one of Washington’s Best Workplaces by the Puget Sound Business Journal, Snoqualmie Casino provides the highest level of excellence as an employer, entertainment destination and community partner. Most importantly, Snoqualmie Casino’s core mission is fulfilling the promise of providing economic self-sufficiency to the Snoqualmie Tribe for generations to come.
