Meet bob finch of station casinos
Tell us about yourself and your organization.
My name is Bob Finch and I am the Vice President and General Manager for Green Valley Ranch, a Station Casinos Resort and Spa in Las Vegas, Nevada. I began my career in the Gaming Industry almost 25 years ago at the Bingo Palace Casino. Bingo Palace was the first property in the Station Casinos family. I was fortunate to witness the tremendous vision of our founder, Frank Fertitta Jr. I have had a part in the growth of the company as it has expanded to 16 properties and become a leader in the local gaming market of Las Vegas. Our company’s success has been built on providing our Guest with the best value and Gaming experience available. We have been able to accomplish this by ensuring that our 14,000 plus Team Members are trained to understand our Guest’s needs. We know that by supporting and building their abilities we directly impact our Guest’s experience and ultimately build the business.
I have been married to Gwen for almost 25 years and we have two daughters. Ashley is in Pharmacy School and Alex is a freshman at UNLV. Ashley’s husband Louie Latina is a graduate of Leadership Breakthrough One and Leadership Breakthrough Two and will be going to Eagle Quest in late September.
How did you and your organization get introduced to Rapport Leadership International?
Hilary McClain was my Training Manager back in 2000. She and a few of my Directors went to Leadership Breakthrough One. When I saw how they were impacted and the difference it had made in their life and the lives of their families, I knew I had to experience Rapport for myself. Since then I have gone on to become a Master Graduate Level Two. Even more importantly, my entire Team of Directors from Boulder Station has completed their Master Graduate Level and will be going to Eagle Quest September 29th. I look forward to being on team for them with Jody Lake, a close friend and their current Vice President General Manager, as we watch them complete the Eagle Quest process.
How many graduates of any Rapport class does your organization have?
Station Casinos has hundreds of Team Members that have either attended Leadership Breakthrough One, Leadership Breakthrough Two, Power Communication, Eagle Quest or Custom Performance training. At my last property, Boulder Station Hotel and Casino, we had over 25 Executives that are, or will become, Master Graduates. Additionally, last year Rapport provided us with several two day custom training classes. These classes impacted over 120 of our directors, managers and supervisors. More importantly, through this customized training we ultimately made a difference in the lives of the remaining 1,400 Boulder Station Team Members, as well as the lives of their families and friends.
Tell us about your Rapport experience?
Like many of you, I can say my first experience with Rapport was a wake up call. It started a process of personal and professional growth that has helped me to become the person I am today. My personal growth has in turn impacted my professional growth and has given me the tools I need to make a daily difference in the lives of the now 2,000 Team Members that work with me. Each new class has provided me with further awareness and vision. I have had the privilege of being On Team for many of my friends. Through this, our relationships have grown in ways that we never could have imagined. It has been through the accountability and support of each other that we continue to grow as a team and as friends.
How has Rapport impacted you personally?
I have become much more aware of what is truly important in my life. It has given me the tools to be a better husband, father, friend and leader. This year I was fortunate to receive the Achievement in Excellence Award from Rapport Leadership International for making a difference in the lives of many in Las Vegas and around the country. This recognition was further enhanced by many of my friends and fellow Rapport Graduates thanking me for the difference I have made in their lives. I will never forget that day or that feeling. It was all made possible thanks to the training I have received at Rapport.
My personal leadership goals included making a commitment to the youth of my community. I am an active volunteer for the Las Vegas Boys and Girls Club, and recently received the “Hometown Hero Award” for making a commitment to the excellence of my community’s youth. My work with this program is some of the most rewarding work I have ever done. Givers really do Gain!
How has Rapport impacted your business?
To use the old cliché, “If you build the person, you build the business,” says it the best. Over the years I have seen the impact and growth in my Team through attending Rapport classes. They have all come back as better spouses, parents, friends and leaders. Their focus and strength has spread through our organization. As a direct result our business has exceeded the market growth. In the last two years the Leadership Team at Boulder Station was able to grow their bottom line 58% - with no new development. The only thing that we developed was the Team itself.
What is the most surprising benefit you or your organization received from Rapport Training?
The thing that has me in awe is a sense of belonging to something bigger and more powerful. It is amazing to be able to use the tools from Rapport to accomplish my vision. My vision every day is to make a difference in the lives of those around me. Sometimes we do it like the Starfish story from Power Communication reminds us … one at a time. At other times, we get to make a difference for a team of people working and living together. Rapport has helped me to listen, and understand what I need to focus on to make that difference.
How do you keep Rapport alive in your organization?
We continually expand our number of graduates. This keeps all of us focused. We have found that the more people we surround ourselves with that have chosen to take the Rapport challenge the better our focus, communication, accountability, etc. become. One of the first things I did, with my recent move to Green Valley Ranch, was to call Michael Saletta, CEO of Rapport, and Bryan Lindsey, COO of Rapport, to ask them to do an analysis of my top 150 Directors, Managers and Supervisors and provide us with some customized training. My next call was to my Leadership Training Advisor, Rowena Liongson to purchase Leadership Breakthrough One and Leadership Breakthrough Two classes for several of my Directors. When I need direction, these are the people I call.
What class had the greatest impact on you and why?
While I find that I use the tools from Power Communication the most in my daily interactions, I have to say that Leadership Breakthrough Two had the greatest personal impact. After completing the Saturday night process, I knew then and there that everything is possible when I keep my focus and keep moving forward. I often draw on this experience to move me forward in other situations.
When you face a challenge in your organization, what tools from the training do you call on first?
I would have to say that when faced with a challenge the ability to stay focused on what is important, and to move forward has been the greatest tool I received from Rapport training.
