Shannon Keel
Golden Gaming, Inc., operator of Golden Casino Group, which includes three casinos here, Golden Mardi Gras, Golden Gates and Golden Gulch, has named a new general manager for the properties. Shannon Keel returns to the Black Hawk casinos as the newest vice president and general manager, and is responsible for all operations after the recent departure of her predecessor, Jef Bauer.
“We’re unbelievably excited to have Shannon back in Colorado,” said Golden Gaming Chief Operating Officer Steve Arcana. “While we will certainly miss Jef and the amazing contributions he has made over the past 5 years with Golden Casino Group, establishing our properties as leaders in the Black Hawk market, we’re also proud to have Shannon back to take over the helm. We know what an immense asset she was for our Black Hawk properties as the assistant general manager and we’re confident she’s going to do great things as their leader.”
Keel left Colorado in June to become the vice president and general manager of Golden Gaming’s Pahrump Nugget Hotel & Casino in Pahrump, Nev., after serving as the assistant general manager in Black Hawk for one year. Before that, she served as Golden Casino Group’s director of operations and director of guest services in Colorado, since joining Golden Gaming in March 2006. She now returns to oversee all three Black Hawk gaming properties, including managing a team of more than 450, and is responsible for more than 1,080 slot machines, 42 table games including a poker room, 6 bars and 4 restaurants throughout the three casinos.
Prior to joining Golden Gaming, Inc., Keel worked with the Hyatt Regency Hotel Group in Lake Tahoe, Nev., and Chicago. While in Chicago, Keel served in various capacities including assistant front office manager, hotel assistant manager and housekeeping manager for the 2,000-room hotel. Upon moving to the Lake Tahoe location, Keel ran daily operation of casino services, created and implemented a player host program, and remodeled the casino services office to create a higher level of VIP ambiance.
Keel received a bachelor’s degree in business and marketing from California State University.
“I’ll miss my new family in Pahrump, but I’m excited to return to Black Hawk,” said Keel. “It’s a great gaming community, and I can’t wait to have the opportunity to continue delivering our top-tier Colorado gaming, entertainment and dining offers to guests.”
