In 2006, Gaughan traded his stock holdings in Boyd Gaming for the South Coast, which was renamed South Point. He came home seven months later and was named operations director at Sam’s Town. When the casino was sold, he moved to the company’s Dania Jai Alai facility near Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Growney moved into various positions at the Suncoast and The Orleans and eventually became general manager of the Barbary Coast in 2006. for $1.3 billion, which gave Growney additional opportunity for advancement.Ĭoast never had many middle managers at its properties and Boyd Gaming began looking for employees to fit those positions. In 2004, Gaughan sold Coast Casinos to Boyd Gaming Corp. Growney landed a job as a dealer at The Orleans, which Gaughan then owned, and worked his way up, learning different games, becoming a floor supervisor and eventually reaching the hotel side of the business. “I might make more money and have more fun.”įarewell, law school. “I was encouraged to give it a shot,” Growney said. The carpentry shop happened to be in the same building as a casino dealing school. He was working in the Coast Casinos carpentry shop for the summer, having taken his law school admission exams and his filed his applications. He attended school under scholarship for four years as the student manager for the Hoyas’ men’s basketball team. Growney graduated from Georgetown University in 2002.

“He has a tremendous amount of respect from the town, his family and his employees.” “I’ve known him my whole life,” Growney said. His father, Mike Growney, was general manager of the Gold Coast when the casino was operated by South Point owner Michael Gaughan. It might seem as if he was predestined for the role. Growney, 33, has been general manager of the South Point for almost three years. Ryan Growney was preparing to attend law school.īut after a week at dealing school his plans changed. He started in the casino business as a dealer at The Orleans, which was owned then by current South Point owner Michael Gaughan. Ryan Growney, South Point general manager, is seen at the property March 13.

Casino property general manager