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2015 CASINO DESIGN FACULTY
Rich Emery , President and Design Principal , TBE Architects ( Thalden Boyd Emery ) Richard Emery , AIA , is president of TBE Architects ( Thalden Boyd Emery ). After earning his architecture degree from the University of Kansas , he joined the company in 1982 and leads design and production for all projects in the office . His design talent has inspired the firm in its design of award-winning projects through the years . In the past 33 years , Emery has designed hotels and casinos in gaming markets throughout North America and overseas . Aside from his vast knowledge in casino and resort design , Emery has been at the cutting edge of CADD technology and building information modeling ( BIM ). With his extensive experience in fast-track and phasing , Emery has designed projects collectively worth over several billion dollars .
Paul Heretakis , Vice President , Westar Architects Paul Heretakis , RA , vice president of Westar Architects , has over 20 years of experience overseeing hospitality design and mixed-use master planning projects throughout the world . His focus and direction have established Westar Architects as a key player in hospitality design as he continues to work with many of the largest gaming companies in the industry . His portfolio includes over 1,000 casino , restaurant , retail and hotel projects throughout the U . S ., Europe and Southeast Asia , many of which have been published in industry books and magazines . Westar is headquartered in Las Vegas , with satellite offices in Phoenix , Philadelphia and an international branch in Macau . Global Gaming Business magazine named Heretakis one of the “ 25 People Watch ” in 2009 .
Tom Hoskens , Vice President , Founding Principal , Cuningham Group Architecture , Inc . A principal of Cuningham Group , Tom Hoskens , AIA , LEED AP , has over 30 years of experience in architecture with major emphasis in the past 20 years on advancing , analyzing and developing experiential resort designs . In his role as Resort Hospitality Market Group leader , Hoskens has built successful relationships with high-profile clients such as Harrah ’ s Entertainment , Caesars Entertainment , Station Casinos and Lakes Entertainment , as well as numerous Native American clients . Hoskens has been instrumental in many of Cuningham Group ’ s award-winning gaming resort projects . Hoskens is committed to a philosophy Cuningham Group calls “ Every Building Tells A Story ,” which emphasizes unique solutions for each client .
Bob Kelly , Senior Vice President , Pre-Construction , Roy Anderson Construction Bob Kelly ’ s years of experience in corporate development have given him an unparalleled expertise in all phases of project concept , design and development . Prior to joining Roy Anderson Construction , Kelly served as president of Innovation Project Development , where he oversaw a team of seasoned professionals in representing owners ’ interests in carrying through the vision of a project to its opening . In addition , Kelly provided consulting advice on individual issues dealing with various aspects of project development including professional construction consulting to financial institutions and total development oversight . Kelly also was corporate vice president of international and new development design and construction for Harrah ’ s Operating Companies , and corporate vice president of design and construction for Caesars Entertainment .
Andrew Kreft , Executive Senior Principal / Director of Design , Lifescapes International , Inc . Andrew Kreft is a graduate of Cal Poly San Luis Obispo with 25 years of experience in conceptual and detailed design on projects in the United States and overseas . His in-depth knowledge and design skills , and vast travels worldwide , make him a valuable leader for the firm ’ s current and future work . His special abilities include project art direction and detail design , graphic presentations , and creatively written “ story ” scripts . His more notable projects include Wynn Las Vegas and Encore , Fontainebleau Miami , The Mansion at MGM Grand in Las Vegas , Bellagio Resort , The Grove at Farmers Market in Los Angeles , and a variety of hotel , retail , casino and theme attractions . Kreft has also directed numerous projects across Asia , including the Venetian Casino Resort in Macau and Majestic Mansion luxury residential development in Beijing .
Patrick Murphy , President , Pechanga Development Corporation Patrick Murphy ’ s service to the Pechanga Band began in 1992 when he was elected to the tribal council . The general membership elected Murphy to serve on the first Pechanga Development Corporation Board of Directors ( PDC ) in 1995 . During Murphy ’ s tenure , the PDC Board managed development and construction of the award-winning Pechanga Resort & Casino , the championship golf course , Journey at Pechanga , and the multimillion-dollar renovation of the hotel lobby . In 2002 , Murphy was elected by fellow tribal leaders to serve as secretary of the Tribal Alliance of Sovereign Indian Nations ( TASIN ), a leading intergovernmental association of Southern California tribal governments . With nearly two
decades of experience in the building and construction field , Murphy brings unique insight and experience to the economic development branch of the Pechanga Tribal Government .
Stephen Ranck , Southwest Hospitality Practice Area leader , Gensler As Southwest Hospitality Practice Area Leader at Gensler , Stephen Ranck , AIA , LEED AP , has led project teams in Las Vegas for diverse gaming clients on complex local and global projects . With over 20 years of experience in the Las Vegas market , Ranck has managed numerous large , complex integrated resort design teams in Asia , Europe and the United States for some of the world ’ s most successful gaming companies . His management skills bring team members together in a collaborative environment to produce innovative design and effective project solutions . Ranck provides clients with flexible and insightful solutions for integrated resorts and gaming environments .
Richard J . Rizzo , Vice Chairman , Tutor Perini Building Corp . Richard Rizzo holds a bachelor of science in civil engineering and business administration from Lehigh University . In 1986 , he graduated from Stanford University ’ s Executive Management Program . Rizzo joined Tutor Perini Building Corp . in 1977 and has held various management positions throughout his tenure . He is largely responsible for market planning and research and oversees marketing strategies with particular emphasis on developing national clients . Rizzo is the recipient of many accolades , including the Sarno Lifetime Achievement Award for the American Gaming Association ( AGA ), 2009 Hospitality Industry Network ( HOSPY ) Achievement Award , 2002 Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce Humanitarian Award and Abe Venable Lifetime Achievement Award from the U . S . Department of Commerce ’ s Minority Business Development Agency .
Paul Curtis Steelman , CEO , Steelman Partners Paul Steelman , a native of Atlantic City , is recognized as a visionary designer of global entertainment , hospitality and gaming architecture . Steelman has designed buildings for the mavericks of the gaming industry including Kirk Kerkorian , Steve Wynn , Sheldon Adelson and Stanley Ho . Based in Las Vegas , Steelman Partners is an international architectural firm specializing in the multidisciplinary facets of entertainment architecture , interior design , graphic design , lighting and branding . Renowned completed projects include Four Seasons Macau , Sands Macau , Galaxy Macau , MGM Ho Tram , Solaire Manila , Venetian Macau master plan and Cotai Central master plan , as well as Lost City and Caesars in South Africa .
40 CASINO DESIGN 2015