Seminole Hard Rock Life February 2015 | Page 5

Get to Know Seminole Hard Rock Tampa Security Manager: Danny Wright It is with pleasure that we virtually introduce you to Mr. Danny Wright, new Security Manager at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa. Danny comes to us with over 35 years of experience from Caesars Entertainment. He spent 24 years at Caesars Atlantic City, 10 years at Bally’s Atlantic City and two years at Harrah’s Resort Atlantic City, receiving his highest rank as Security Director. A New Jersey native, Danny first got in to the casino business when his mom told him he needed to go out and get a job. Caesars in Atlantic City was one of the first casinos to open in the area and it seemed like the convenient choice, as it was only 10 miles away. He started as a Security Officer at Caesars making $4.30 an hour and was quickly promoted to the Director of Security. Later, throughout his career, he elevated to the vice president status and co-chaired the customer service department. This position is very unique in the security industry, so much so it carried a responsibility and recognition that was honorable. Danny Wright Security Manager We had the pleasure of sitting down with Danny and we bonded immediately when he shared his love for golf. We decided to dive deeper and get his thoughts on the future and direction he thought the Seminole Hard Rock Tampa security was headed in 2015. What do you think of the Seminole Hard Rock Tampa so far? There is great energy at the Seminole Hard RockTampa!The atmosphere rocks, not to mention the casino is very clean and well-kept. This is a great place for both team members and guests. How many team members do you oversee? I oversee about 130 people at the Seminole Hard Rock Tampa. In New Jersey, I managed almost double, but it is all about efficiency. I have been successful because I work hard and understand the importance of quality for guests and their security. What is your favorite part about your job? Pleasing our guests. Our team has an affect on not only the safety of the guest, but also the perception of service. We are the first people that guests see primarily because we’re out on bikes patrolling the property to ensure safety and security. What is one goal you have for Hard Rock Tampa security? Our security team strives to welcome guests to the Seminole Hard Rock with open hands. It is important for us to stay positive by thanking our guests for coming, wishing them well and that we hope to see them again soon. A few welcoming words go a long way. I plan to change the way security is perceived because at the end of the day our team is here to protect you. We want guests to see us with a friendly, approachable face. Can you share any interesting stories of crazy celebrities and how do you usually deal with celebrity visits to the casino? I could talk all day about the crazy encounters that I’ve had while being in the security industry. As far as celebrities though, we always want a positive presence with them and our guests. We ensure that our team is fresh, prepared and focused for sensitivities. It is imperative that we keep all of our guests comfortable. Who is your favorite celebrity that you have worked with? George Foreman is the friendliest guy. His personality is exactly how he appears on commercials. What is your favorite casino game? I love to play Blackjack. What do you enjoy doing on your spare time? I am an avid golfer! I haven’t had the chance to play any of the courses here in Tampa, but I have practiced a lot. Other than golf, I just came off of a five month camping trip with my wife and dog. We purchased an F-350 truck and attached a camper on top of it and traveled all over. Our adventure took us to the Canadian Rockies, across all the northern states and down the West Coast to Utah. We traveled through Colorado and all their national parks and one of our favorites was Bryce Canyon National Park. We spent time exploring, hiking and camping using maps on our iPad to navigate. When we hit Canada and the Canadian Rockies, we had only planned to stay a few weeks and ended up loving it so much we stayed there for an entire month. It was no doubt, a trip of a lifetime. What is one thing you want guests to know specifically about you? I feel incredibly grateful to be where I am today. I am certainly a people person who is passionate about providing the best security and safety as possible. It is important to have people who like people on board.