MAJOR ACHIEVEMENTS

While he was working with Station Casinos, St. Jean oversaw and opened the $750m expansion of the Thunder Valley Casino and the $200m greenfield Gun Lake Casino in Wayland MI. In addition, he oversaw many other renovations ranging from $50m to $200m. 

During his time with Penn National Gaming, he helped finalise Hollywood Casino Toledo, Mahoning Valley, and Jamul San - Diego properties. He also had oversite for Penn's Hobbs NM Zia Park Hotel, Casino and Racetrack.  

In his first six months within his current role, St. Jean finalised the completion of the entire Morongo Casino Resort & Spa, while also overseeing a 65,000 sq ft expansion of the resort as well. Lastly, he worked with owners to manage the team throughout the Covid-19 pandemic. 

St. Jean graduated with a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Hotel, Motel, and Restaurant Management at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. 

EMPLOYMENT

St. Jean began his career with roles at esteemed establishments like the Waldorf Astoria where he worked from between 1985-1994, before transitioning to Las Vegas, where he entered the hotel industry. 

During his time with Station Casinos from 1994-2011, Richard served as General Manager for six properties in Las Vegas. As President of Native American Gaming, he managed Thunder Valley Casino, overseeing a $750m expansion and the $200m Gun Lake Casino in Wayland, St. Jean also worked on multiple renovation projects during his tenure at Station Casinos. 

From 2011-2017, St. Jean was VP– GM at Penn National Gaming, directing the construction, staffing, opening, and operation of three properties: Hollywood Casino Toledo, Mahoning Valley, and Jamul San Diego properties. He also had oversight of Penn's Hobbs NM Zia Park Hotel, Casino and Racetrack. 

Richard founded Coastal Gaming, LLC in 2017, leveraging his extensive connections within the gaming industry to provide a range of services, including design and construction programming, marketing, operations/program improvements and technological innovations. He partnered with various industry players, contributing to their expansion and success in the gaming and hospitality sectors. 

Richard St. Jean assumed the role of COO at Morongo Casino Resort & Spa in 2019, overseeing the completion of a comprehensive facility renovation. This renovation encompassed front-of-house areas, restaurants, bars, hotel rooms and suites, as well as the entire exterior, including a 750-space garage. Simultaneously, a 65,000 square-foot expansion was completed by May 2020. He played a pivotal role in negotiating slot deals that could yield up to $20m in savings, optimizing 50% of the original slot floor. Amid the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic, Richard successfully guided Morongo, ensuring its position as one of the safest casinos in the industry. 

PRODUCTS LAUNCHED

Since taking up his role at Morongo Casino Resort & Spa, Jean has been a key figure, with the venue seeing a lot of changes and innovations. 

St. Jean was key within his first six months, helping to complete the renovation and expansion of the resort. Since then, he has made strides to improve technology at the venue, bringing in NexGen Fast Cash devices. This software helps its customers to stay seated at their tables, where they can securely use their debit card to purchase chips through the Fast Cash wireless mobile device. 

The casino has also seen new additions to further the entertainment for its guests, unveiling new poker and bingo rooms in April 2022 and in October 2023, debuting a new high-limit slot room, offering 170 slot machines and a separate smoking room.