The Oneida Indian Nation recently announced that The Turning Stone Evolution is now set to debut in summer 2026, bringing The Grand Expo, The Crescent and Salt Seafood & Raw Bar to guests a year earlier than originally projected.
The Grand Expo will expand Turning Stone’s conference and event spaces to 200,000 sq. ft. of beautiful, modern meeting rooms. This includes the addition of two ballrooms, including the Grand Ballroom, an elevated space that may be configured in numerous ways, with a dedicated outdoor terrace that can accommodate nearly 2,000 guests. A new 25,000 sq. ft. courtyard will also be situated at the center of The Grand Expo’s meeting rooms.
Few are looking forward to unveiling The Grand Expo more than Vicktoria Raygoza, Executive Meeting Planner for Turning Stone Enterprises.
Vicktoria joined our team in early 2022, moving from San Antonio, Texas, where she was also an executive meeting planner, albeit, in a very different environment…
“I worked for the San Antonio Zoo!” she says. “Which was a unique experience and location, but the factors that make for a great event or meeting experience are the same wherever you’re stationed. That’s what’s special about Turning Stone—we already have both the level of service and facilities to provide an exceptional experience for our clients. And The Grand Expo will enhance that even further.”
Vicktoria’s role on the events and meetings team is dedicated to working with regional partners, like the International Boxing Hall of Fame, who holds a widely attended induction ceremony each year at Turning Stone Resort Casino. One of the biggest annual events in boxing, it brings thousands around the world to Central New York, including marquee names such as Manny Pacquiao, who was inducted during the 2025 ceremony.
“The team is divided into different specialties. Some on our team focus on corporate meetings and events. Others are managing weddings. There are so many different types of events we host. It helps to have experts in each category to provide the best service experience we possibly can.”
Regardless of the type of group they’re hosting, all of our events and meetings team members are thrilled to show off The Grand Expo to clients when it opens Labor Day 2026.
“We’ll be New York’s largest meetings and conventions resort once this opens, so this will put us in a different category,” she says. “We’re bringing the type of convention space to Central New York you might find in Las Vegas or Orlando. It’s a big deal.”
She adds, “It's going to be exciting to have more space, but more than that, it’s a flexible space that doesn’t box you into one thing. For instance, there's a ballroom with an attached, outdoor patio. When you're in a conference all day, having easy access to a space where you can take a break in the sunshine, maybe grab a coffee and pastry, is so nice and such an enhancement.”
“Flexibility” is one of the keywords that highlight how The Grand Expo will transform our guest experience. “There’s a courtyard space with the flexibility of being separated into threes, so you can easily transfer your event guests from a ceremony to cocktails to dinner without going far.”
“Something I’m excited about is additional foyer space around meeting rooms. A lot of event areas have narrow corridors, and conference planners really need that space for registration tables, information booths, sometimes welcome receptions. So, I’m thrilled for our meetings partners to have that extra real estate.”
She adds, “I think guests will also appreciate the built-in, custom screens for each room. The aesthetics and design are so sleek.”
And while the new spaces will certainly take events at Turning Stone to new heights, previous guests can still expect the same level of exceptional service to which they’ve grown accustomed. “That’s why we have repeat meetings here all the time—it’s our people. We have return groups that expect big things from us. And whether it’s the banquet, culinary, entertainment, production or my team, we’ll do everything possible to make sure you have an experience beyond your expectations.”
Bookings for events, meetings, weddings and more at The Grand Expo and The Crescent are now open! Click here to book.
Few teams make as much an impact on a hotel guest than housekeeping. After all, hotel rooms are where guests usually spend the most time, and anything short of perfection will be noticed. It will influence the impression of their entire stay…and whether they want to return.
That’s why developing a skilled housekeeping team is fundamental, and it’s exactly what Shenequa Wittman, assistant executive housekeeper for Turning Stone Resort Casino, has done for our organization. She is also an enthusiastic advocate for showcasing the value in housekeeping as a career opportunity.
“Housekeeping is a great way to get your foot in the door with this organization and build the skills, like time management, that can apply to any position,” she says. She speaks from experience, having started her own Turning Stone Enterprises career journey right out of school.
“I worked at a fast-food restaurant in Rome, New York, during high school,” she says, “but I knew I wanted something more. So, I applied at Turning Stone Resort Casino, because this is a place with lots of opportunity.”
While she was surprised by the amount of information and learning required in her new role as a housekeeper, her determination and dedication to get the job done well led her down a fruitful career path.
“I was a housekeeper for about three years, learning everything I could,” she says. “I then had the opportunity to move up to a housekeeping team lead position at The Lodge at Turning Stone. Shortly after that, I came back to Tower at Turning Stone Resort Casino to the housekeeping supervisor position. I was able to work on my leadership skills by managing the team. Five years later, I earned the position I’m in now.”
In a full circle moment, Shenequa is now hiring team members into the same housekeeper role in which she started. When asked how she motivates team members to join and stay with the housekeeping department, she says it’s an equal mix of learning by and leading by example.
“What helped me succeed was the encouragement I received from leadership. I know I’ve been very supported in this department and make sure others feel the same way.”
Shenequa also makes sure team members know they have options to grow and carve new career paths throughout the organization. “There's so much opportunity here, so if you want to stay in housekeeping, you can, and if you want to move to another department, you can,” she says. “I've had housekeepers who’ve wanted to pursue leadership roles in this department, and I help them get those roles. I've also had team members who went to work in other departments. Several wanted to go on the gaming floor, and so they went to the Dealer School and learned to be a dealer.”
“We're very supportive, and anything we can do to lift people up and help them we will,” she says. “If you're willing to put in the work and take the initiative to learn and grow, it's a great opportunity overall. There's so much growth to move up in the department. I would never have thought I would have been in this role. But here I am.”
Turning Stone Enterprises provides hotel accommodations at The Lodge at Turning Stone, The Tower, The Brook, Sandstone Hollow Inn, The Inn at Turning Stone, The Cove at Sylvan Beach and more on the way in the near future, so there are plenty of housekeeping roles and opportunity for growth in the department.
“Just because you start in one place, doesn't mean you’re there forever.”
That’s the career philosophy of Janice Reed, legal administrative assistant for Turning Stone Enterprises and proof that a career can (and should!) be a fun and surprising adventure.
Janice started her Turning Stone Enterprises career at the inception of the organization, with the opening of Turning Stone Resort Casino. Even so, her connection with the organization can be traced back even further.
“I grew up in Canastota, New York,” she says. “I watched them build Turning Stone Resort Casino. I remember when it was an open field. And when I started, the casino was just one room, one large room. I've watched it develop into what it is today, and it's just remarkable.”
“I worked at a bank before coming here, so when I started, I held a weekend position in the soft count room. From there, the opportunity arose for me to become full-time in that position. So, I joined the team full time, and I worked in the casino cage.”
Over the course of the next 25 years, Janice grew within her part of the casino world. She learned casino credit and VIP services. She took a lead position with the rewards desk team and began supervising. She was steadily building upon her original position and by all accounts was on a roll.
Over two decades into building a career, many would think there isn’t much room for transition to something completely different, but here’s where Janice and Turning Stone Enterprises reset the standard. With a multitude of brands and occupational paths under its umbrella, Turning Stone Enterprises offers many opportunities for its team members to pivot from their original career path, no matter how far into that career they may be.
“After 25 and a half years, I decided it was time to make a change,” says Janice. “I thought, maybe I could try my skills upstairs, in the administrative offices. It would be a fun challenge for me. Something new, something different, and I wanted to take all of the knowledge I had learned throughout my time in casino operations and put it into work in a different role. So, I moved to the tour and travel sales department, where I was a sales assistant for about three years.”
Janice excelled in that position and embraced the challenge of a new role. And then, a challenge no one was expecting caused a different, unexpected set of career pivots.
“During the pandemic, I was offered the opportunity to do contact tracing for the enterprise. I did that for about a year and a half. Eventually, I did return to help run the travel department, but then another opportunity arose in the legal department for an administrative assistant…and I decided to take it! I have been in this position for nearly four years now.”
When asked what appeals to her about changing roles and departments within the organization—especially after a long run on the casino side—her answer is simple. “I’m always looking for a new challenge. The beauty of this organization is that there are so many opportunities. You always have the opportunity to move. There are always stepping stones. I’m living proof that if you believe in yourself, you can do anything.”
There are plenty of people who believe in her, as well. In 2017, Janice was named a First in Excellence winner. This award is considered Turning Stone Enterprises’ highest honor, recognizing team members who embody and exceed every standard for excellence, and it’s something Janice does not take lightly. “When the award was presented to me, I was just overcome with gratitude and appreciation for Turning Stone Enterprises, for everything they've done for me and the investment they've made in me.”
When asked what advice she’d give current and future team members, she encourages them to always stay open to new possibilities. “I would tell them to believe in themselves, to take the opportunities to continue learning. Take advantage of the training and the tools that Turning Stone Enterprises provides. There really are endless possibilities for growth and development. And I'm proof of that. I take a lot of pride in being a team member here for many years, and hopefully many more to come. I have no idea what the future brings, but I can tell you, I would love to be part of it.”
Sometimes a team member is tailor-made for a role. And at Turning Stone Enterprises, sometimes the role is tailor-made for the team member.
“They look at what your skills and talents are and say, ‘you know what, let's make this role this way to best utilize what you do well.’” So says Jenna Enberg, front desk training coordinator for Turning Stone Enterprises and a perfect example of this philosophy in action.
Jenna’s Turning Stone Enterprises career began post-college, when she entered the role of front desk clerk.
“I thought the position was going to be temporary,” she says, “but I ended up staying in that role for a few years. What kept me there was my supervisor, who made a big impact on me. He showed me what it is to be a good leader. Anytime I asked him for something, he stopped what he was doing to assist. More importantly, he helped teach me the skills to take the next steps in my career.”
She sought out and earned a promotion to a concierge. Then, once again hungry for new challenges, she landed her next promotion, her current position of front desk training coordinator. This promotion, though, held an interesting twist. “This is a brand-new position for the organization,” says Jenna. “So, there wasn’t any guidebook on how to do it. I’ve been the one to shape what this position looks like.”
When asked how she was presented the opportunity to build her own role, she explains it was equal parts drive, skill and attitude. “I did the front desk training in my previous roles, so I was already doing that aspect of the job. I let them know I wanted to take on more responsibilities, I want to do more things to help out the department.”
In this role, Jenna’s responsibilities have let her take charge of projects she never would have anticipated leading.
“I’m in charge of all the front desk training for all properties, so I helped open The Cove and Sandstone Hollow, and I'll be at Point Place when their hotel opens and then I’ll be involved with The Crescent! One project I’m really proud of is our text messaging service. When guests check in, they receive a text via an AI platform, and it can respond to frequently asked questions automatically. I helped onboard this platform, meaning I helped program it, formulate the questions and answers, and conduct the testing for it…and then I was responsible for all training associated with it. I never thought I’d be involved with something as important as that, but that’s how my role’s evolved.”
When asked what advice she’d give to current or future team members, she’s quick with an answer: “Enjoy what you do, and don’t be afraid to ask questions. If you're asking questions, it shows you care, that you're interested and want to do a good job.”
She also adds that learning by example is an important component to development. “I learn by absorbing how people are responding and modeling how effective leaders around me act. A lot of leaders have let me shadow them. So, it's not just telling me, it's actually showing me and bringing me along on the adventure.”
Jenna’s efforts have paid off with more than promotions. She was a recent recipient of Turning Stone Enterprises’ First In Excellence award, an annual honor reserved for a select few team members across the organization who exemplify the best of the best of the workforce.
“That was a surprise!” says Jenna. “The day they were going to present me the award, I was just told there was a meeting. I rushed to get to the meeting, and when I get there, I realize they’re about to give this award. I'm thinking it's for another team member! So, I start clapping and I'm like, ‘oh, who is it who’s being honored?’ Then, suddenly, they tell me, ‘It’s for you!’ I was very honored. It was so nice to feel welcomed and appreciated. I’m so thankful for all the opportunities they've given me and the trust they’ve given me.”
If you’re looking for a tailor-made career like Jenna, Turning Stone Enterprises has a multitude of opportunities awaiting you. Check out open positions at careers.turningstoneenterprises.com.
Drive up to Turning Stone Resort Casino today and you’ll see the beaming curve of The Crescent Hotel, which is rapidly nearing completion of its exterior. Drive further in and you’ll see another actively progressing construction site; The Grand Expo, a state-of-the-art meetings and events complex that will double the resort’s convention space and be the largest of its kind in New York state.
Both The Crescent and The Grand Expo, part of the $370 million Turning Stone Evolution, will open early 2027. For an undertaking of this scale, every day between now and opening is accounted for in terms of prepping, procuring and perfecting the project. And Kelly Hsieh, Director of Strategic Initiatives for Turning Stone Enterprises has been working on it every step of the way.
Kelly’s role, in her words is, “to do whatever is necessary to ensure we open ready for our guests at the high standards to which the organization holds itself. That means providing support to all parties involved, external and internal."
Given the expanding array of products and services within the Turning Stone Enterprises portfolio—ranging from hospitality to technical support to cannabis production—Kelly would seem to have her work cut out for her. However, Kelly’s own background is equally industry-diverse. She has formerly served in roles at companies as varied as Pepsico, Education Pioneers, S&P Global and, most recently, J.D. Power.
“I had never worked in hospitality or cannabis before this, so you learn a lot as you go along,” she says. “What helps is that I stay focused on the central goal in everything I do here, which is to support the organization’s mission, vision and values through responsible economic development.”
When her Turning Stone Enterprises career journey started just under four years ago, her first major undertaking was the development of Verona Collective, the Oneida Indian Nation’s foray into the cannabis industry. Launching the new enterprise meant a combination of macro projects, such as opening the 50,000 square foot cultivation facility that feeds the Verona Collective product line and securing procurement chains through external vendors, and more micro-focused assistance, such as developing standard operating procedures. Since then, her responsibilities have expanded right along with the organization. The Turning Stone Evolution is her biggest project to date.
“When you think about there being 258 new hotel rooms, that means there are at least that same number of furniture sets, bathroom vanities, televisions, telephones, showerheads and so on that need to be procured and then coordinated for installation,” she explains. “You’ve got 165,000 square feet of new event space in The Grand Expo that needs 165,000 square feet of flooring, whether that’s carpet, tile or something else. You need to work with our tech teams to ensure every guest room and meeting space will have full connectivity with all the latest technology. It’s a massive undertaking.”
The size and the scope of Turning Stone Evolution is not the only hugely impactful part of this project. “I’m looking forward to seeing the long-term effects it will have,” says Kelly. “This organization’s central vision is to contribute to the prosperity of the Oneida people, our team and the entire Central New York region for generations to come. And this is one of those projects we will be able to look back on and see the tangible, positive difference it made for so many people, from construction and all of the local businesses and vendors that process supports to added career opportunities and the additional guests it will bring once it’s open. To be a part of something like that brings me and everyone else on this team an enormous amount of pride.”
Keep track of Turning Stone Enterprises’ latest economic developments, including Turning Stone Evolution, here. Interested in joining the team? Click here to view the latest career opportunities.
The Oneida Indian Nation will host a vendor and economic development conference on September 12, 2025, allowing current and prospective vendors to learn more about doing business with Turning Stone Enterprises and connect directly with purchasing representatives from the organization.
One of the purchasing representatives on hand will be Pam Rood, Strategic Sourcing Manager for Turning Stone Enterprises' Supply Chain team. If there's anyone who understands what it means to do business with the organization, it's Pam.
"I've been with Turning Stone Enterprises for 31 years," she says. "I started as a junior secretary with the purchasing team just a year after they opened Turning Stone Resort Casino. It was a very different environment when she first started her career. When I first started in the early 90s, we didn't have the internet," she says with a laugh. "I have vendors who I've worked with for 31 years," she says. "It's great, because those relationships allow you to learn how to work really well together."
Technology isn't the only thing that's changed immensely in that time. Turning Stone Enterprises has evolved into Central New York's multi-brand engine for economic development. With a vibrantly diverse and still expanding portfolio of goods and services under the Turning Stone Enterprises umbrella, its purchasing reach has been instrumental to the success of multiple businesses throughout the region - so much so that in 2024, the Nation invested more than $161 million with vendors in Oneida, Madison and Onondaga County alone.
Pam has seen the scope of her role evolve right along with the organization. From her initial position, she's been promoted multiple times within her department, and has seen purchasing and supply chain from just about every angle. That's why she's entrusted now to focus primarily on strategic approach with key spend areas. "Typically, I'm handling bids that include multiple outlets," she says, "not just food and beverage, not just hotel. It's typically items that many of our enterprise outlet locations use. So, there's a lot of coordination with the stakeholders, to get everybody on the same page and agreeing with the direction we go within every step of the bid process."
When asked about why these vendors continue to work with us, often for decades, she explains that the Oneida Indian Nation and Turning Stone Enterprises strive to provide exceptional service even to those who are providing a service to us. "We're very transparent throughout the bidding process. I give vendors a schedule of events, letting them know exactly when their information is due, when their bids are due. And I always make sure to tell them our timeline, like when we'll decide on awarding the bid or where we are with contract approvals. That type of communication is so important."
Pam always seeks opportunities to connect with new vendors—she's helped welcome over 30 new, local partners within the past six months alone—and looks forward to meeting more at the upcoming Doing Business with The Oneida Indian Nation conference. Interested in attending? Click here for more information and to register.
Maria Chadwick, Turning Stone Enterprises’ Director of Enterprise Surveillance, never intended to work in surveillance. She was rising quickly through the ranks from Security Officer to Supervisor in just a year at Fitzgerald’s Hotel & Casino in Downtown Las Vegas when her boss asked her to consider a move to Surveillance. That transition would be the first step in a career that grew in ways she could not have imagined.
Before joining the Turning Stone Enterprises team more than 12 years ago, Maria led Surveillance teams at a number of Las Vegas casinos, including seven properties simultaneously with Station Casinos and then Wynn Las Vegas. During her time at Wynn, Maria was responsible for overseeing construction and design of Security and Surveillance infrastructure at Encore Las Vegas. After four years with Wynn, Maria was ready for her next challenge. Not long after, a recruiter from Turning Stone Enterprises contacted her. She decided to take a leap of faith on a new opportunity on the other side the country and has been with the organization ever since.
With the opening of YBR Casino & Sportsbook in 2015, Maria reorganized Surveillance in order to allow it to operate as one department across multiple properties, ensuring the company benefitted from its experienced team members. This philosophy carried over to the opening of Point Place Casino in 2018 and other ventures in the years that followed.
Maria notes that Surveillance at Turning Stone Enterprises, and the field of surveillance itself, has changed dramatically throughout the years. When she joined the team, she explains, “Our function was primarily regulatory. We provided gaming oversight to ensure regulatory compliance and that business was conducted fairly and honestly.” While traditional “observe and report” tactics are still important, new technologies such as video and data analytics now play a larger role in the department’s work.
Today, in addition to their gaming responsibilities, Maria and her team also support non-gaming operations across all of Turning Stone Enterprises. Surveillance ensures policies and procedures are properly followed and addresses vulnerabilities and weaknesses to strengthen operations. This includes communicating with management across every department to optimize guest service.
Maria says that technology continues to play a growing role in her team’s work. Still, the core tenets of surveillance remain important: attention to detail, an inquisitive nature and hard work.
In four brief years with the Turning Stone Enterprises, Danny DeGeorge has worked at many Turning Stone Resort Casino food and beverage outlets.
His next big assignment: restaurant manager at 7 Kitchens, our brand new buffet restaurant, which opens later this spring.
For Danny, the move is a return to a concept he knows well—he served as restaurant manager at Seasons Harvest, our former buffet, in the early part of his tenure. This time, however, the stakes (and steaks!) are bigger, and Danny is excited to rise to the occasion.
“Watching the buffet transform into this new concept and identity has been amazing to be a part of,” he said. “Our new 7 Kitchens is a state-of-the-art facility and it will focus on table service with a hands-on feel. We’ll have specialty cocktails. We’ll serve brunch. It’s still a buffet, but completely elevated. I can’t wait to open and show guests how special the experience will be.”
Guests undoubtedly will recognize Danny—In addition to 7 Kitchens, he’s also the restaurant manager at Emerald and Sushi Sushi. He also heads up our room service for the Tower and low-rise hotel.
Before being named a restaurant manager, Danny was a captain on the Banquet team.
Prior to joining us at Turning Stone, Danny spent 13 years working at the Saranac Brewery in Utica. Employment there for Danny was a family affair—his grandfather, father, and brother all worked there during Danny’s tenure, and his brother still works on the bottling line.
Danny, who grew up in Utica, started at Saranac as a janitor and worked his way up to head brewer. He held nearly every position in the company along the way. He even worked the graveyard shift.
“I really got to see every aspect of the operation,” he said of his climb. “It really helped me get a sense of different jobs, and why it’s so important to work hard. Becoming head brewer was the best I could do, and all along I just wanted to do my best.”
Earlier in his career, Danny tended bar at some Utica restaurants and worked events at Yahnundasis Golf and Country Club. He also worked for an industrial safety supply company while he waited for a job to open at the brewery. He said these varied job experiences have helped him relate to others in subsequent roles.
When Danny isn’t working, he said he likes to ride horses and spend time with family. He’s a big fan of tradition, and always cooks pasta with meatballs and sauce for Sunday dinner.
“Tradition is important,” he said. We can certainly drink to that.
Jessica Reinertsen is a veteran at Turning Stone Enterprises’ Housekeeping Department. Having started at Turning Stone Enterprises in 2004, she has forged a successful career path – and she has loved every minute of it.
Coming from a food service company just down the road off of Route 365 in Verona, Jessica was looking for a job that had consistent, stable shifts so she could care for her young daughter. She originally applied to be a bartender, but eventually was directed to a housekeeping position that would ultimately prove to be a better fit for her and her lifestyle.
“When I first started, I never thought of housekeeping as a career for me, but I fell in love with it and you get close to a lot of people that work here, which makes it fun."
Jessica quickly moved up within the housekeeping department – moving from a turndown attendant when she first arrived to her current role as Lodge assistant executive housekeeper in 2018. In between, she held roles as housekeeping team lead, dispatcher and supervisor at the Tower hotel.
“Our team is very tight knit. You grow a bond with fellow employees here and you get to know each other personally, all while working in a fun environment for a great company.”
Jessica grew up in Lee Center (halfway between Rome and Camden) and now resides in Sylvan Beach. As a lifelong local resident, she has seen firsthand the progress the Oneida Indian Nation has made, especially as a valued employer for the region. And with the recent pandemic that saw many people lose their jobs, Turning Stone Enterprises continued to provide employees with the critical benefits, including health care, that kept many people safe and secure during uncertain times.
“I hear stories from my friends about how their employers weren’t paying for health insurance or anything like what the Nation did for us,” Jessica said. “It makes you feel appreciated at your job, but also appreciative of your job because you know they’re behind you and they’re going to help you.”
That sense of community at Turning Stone Enterprises continued throughout the pandemic.
“You hear from people saying ‘Oh wow, they did that for you guys? They’re really taking care of their people,’” Jessica said when describing what the past year has been like amid the pandemic. “And I always say, ‘That’s why you work here. Anything you need, they’re there to help you out.”
Being a ticket writer might be the best job ever for a self-proclaimed sports maniac.
At least that’s the perspective of Ray Garfield, who has been a ticket writer in The Lounge with Caesars Sports at Point Place Casino for the better part of the last year.
“When you like sports as much as I do, this job is a dream come true,” he said recently. “When I’m not talking to guests about sports and taking their bets, I get paid to talk to colleagues about sports or watch games.”
The Syracuse native took a circuitous route to his dream job. Following a professional life in which he held jobs as a preschool teacher, a bartender, and a restaurant worker, Ray found himself looking for a new gig that he could get excited about. Someone suggested that he inquire about working in the sports book, so he did. The rest, as they say, is history.
Ray didn’t know much about sports betting when he joined—he’d only actually placed one sports bet in his life (against his uncle). His lack of experience didn’t matter at all, as the Point Place team trained him and helped him get up to speed with what he needed to know.
He said he enjoys passing along that knowledge to guests who come in and ask questions about how they can place bets as well.
“I love helping people get the bets they want to get,” he said. “It’s nice to make a difference.”
Since Ray joined the PPC team late last year, he’s paid out some big tickets. None, however, has been more memorable than the 8-leg parlay he paid to a regular who almost always bets on underdogs. The guy won nearly $10,000.
When Ray isn’t manning the windows in the PPC sports book, he’s probably cheering on the Miami Dolphins or off playing bar sports such as cornhole and darts. He also spends his free time working on his car, a red 2011 Volkswagen Jetta Sport Wagon. His fantasy: To own a classic car, either a 1960s Camaro or a 1971 Monte Carlo.
“This job will help me get there,” he says of his dream car. “I hope to work for Turning Stone Enterprises for a long, long time.”
We think of Scott Chapin as Superman, because he works hard, along with our entire Security team, to make sure everyone at YBR Casino & Sports Book feels safe.
As Security Manager, Scott is tasked with protecting guests and employees at the casino —a tall order considering how many people pass through the property every day. All told, Scott runs a team of 20-25 individuals, a number that includes uniformed security personnel who patrol the casino.
“We are quietly one of the most important jobs in the casino,” Scott says. “We stay behind the scenes, but we’re definitely front-and-center when it comes to safety.”
Scott never planned on a career in security. The native of Fayetteville, North Carolina had been working elsewhere in the region, running a restaurant nearby. When that work environment took a turn, he decided to change jobs completely and took an entry-level gig in security at Turning Stone Resort Casino. He worked there for eight years, got promoted a few times and eventually earned his spot as a security team leader.
He transferred to YBR to run our security detail about a year and a half ago.
Today, one of Scott’s biggest passions is training—preparing himself and his team for every eventuality, no matter how unlikely something might seem.
“We believe that training never really ends,” he said. In the last few months alone he and his team have gone through evacuation training, fire safety training, and more.
Of course, he also appreciates the service aspect of his job.
“I fell in love with the idea that we’re making a difference in people’s enjoyment, and we provide a real service that may not be visible or tangible,” said Scott. “I know when I go home that I’ve done something every day to make YBR a better place.”
Operations Manager Donna Farruggio is a problem-solver.
Whenever there’s a problem at YBR, whatever departments might be affected, Donna is one of the people on staff who gets things fixed—efficiently, quietly, and reliably.
This skill set hasn’t come naturally—Donna has developed it through a lifetime of work in the casino industry. She was one of the first employees to come aboard before YBR Casino & Sports Book opened six years ago, and she loves the job so much today she boasts she likely will never leave.
She even moved her father to the area so she could keep tabs on him without having to go too far.
“I am proud to work for Turning Stone Enterprises,” she said. “I’ve worked at a bunch of different casinos over the course of my career and have never felt like such a part of a team.”
Donna’s career began in Atlantic City at age 19. She took a job in one of the casino gift shops, then got a special license that allowed her to become a slot attendant. She worked her way up in the slot department there and years later jumped to the Taj Mahal as a shift manager and supervisor. From there, she went to Revel to be part of the opening team in 2011. She stayed to close the casino in 2014.
At that point, Donna was contemplated leaving casinos for good. But she spotted an advertisement for a job opening at YBR and was intrigued, so she felt she had to apply at the very least.
A week after her interview, she was hired.
Fast-forward six years and one of Donna’s favorite things about working at YBR is the way Turning Stone Enterprises gives her flexibility to do what she’d like.
“In Atlantic City, I was a slot girl,” she said. “Here, I am so much more. I can be in the kitchen. I can be in the bar. I go to marketing meetings and we figure out what kind of events we want to do and what kind of promotions we want to have. There’s something new every day and it keeps me busy all the time.”
Donna is so committed to Upstate New York that she recently moved her 88-year-old father to the area so she can contribute to his care. He likes coming to the casino and having dinner at Burgers of Madison County while Donna is wrapping up her shift. Surely, he rests easy knowing his daughter is in charge.
Executive Chef Ron Ross, a graduate of the renowned Culinary Institute of America, oversees the food and beverage operations at the resort’s 20+ dining establishments. This includes Wildflowers, TS Steakhouse, Tin Rooster, Pino Bianco, and Upstate Tavern, as well as all of Turning Stone’s event catering. Ross is an innovator with more than 36 years of culinary experience at luxury resort restaurants.
Most recently, Ross was the Culinary Corporate Director and General Manager of Catering Operations for Di Bruno Brothers in Philadelphia. Before than, he was the Executive Chef at the Borgata Hotel Water Club & Spa for 10 years and was personally sought out by Steve Wynn’s renowned executive committee at Beau Rivage Resort & Casino in Biloxi, MS to direct the turnaround and growth of 14 unique restaurants, in-room dining and banquet and catering services.
Unbelievable. That’s how the TS Steakhouse team describes Amer and Samir Sabanic. The brothers are known as huge assets to the team and the hardest-working people they know.
As Food Runners, Samir and Amer carry trays of food upstairs from the restaurant’s kitchen to guests, delivering hundreds of orders every night. On average, each takes 16,000 to 18,000 steps per shift. Sometimes, they work as servers too.
It’s a challenging job, but to Amer and Samir, it’s all in a day’s work – and they love it. “It’s just what we do,” Samir says. “We like to stay busy.”
To their coworkers, they are much more than busy. They are invaluable and support the team in countless ways.
Samir was the first to join the Turning Stone Enterprises team, finding his first job here after coming to America from Bosnia. He has been with Turning Stone Resort Casino for 19 years and at TS Steakhouse for 11 of them. He was relentless in encouraging Amer to join the team as well, and they have worked together since.
It’s been a great experience because they understand each other so well. They also have a lot of fun together and some light-hearted sibling rivalry. When Amer explains he was a semi-professional soccer player in Bosnia, Samir is quick to remind him that he’s actually the superior athlete. “He's just luckier than me!” he jokes.
They say the entire TS Steakhouse team feels like family as well, and it’s clear that feeling is mutual. Everyone has a story about the brothers’ unbeatable work ethic and grace under pressure. When a challenge arises, Amer and Samir are the first to step up, always with a smile. The team also can’t say enough about how much fun it is to work with them. They keep everyone laughing, singing and dancing so the energy stays high throughout the night.
Guests rave about Samir and Amer as well, and Turning Stone Food & Beverage Manager Karim Elkhattab says many ask for them by name. “Guests talk about how they make them feel and the experience they create,” he explains. “It’s priceless.”
These relationships with guests are highlights of the job for both Amer and Samir. Amer also says he likes trying new things, which keeps work exciting. “Every day you meet different people and learn something new,” he says.
For Samir, it’s all about the way Turning Stone Enterprises takes care of its team and makes them feel valued. That’s why he says this isn’t just his first job in America. It’s also his last because he wants to spend his entire career here.
That’s welcome news to Karim and demonstrates the commitment that makes the brothers so special. “They do a phenomenal job, and everyone loves to be around them,” he says. “Nothing we can do is enough to say thank you.”
PGA Teaching Professional Ryan McGinnis is no stranger to prestigious awards. He’s made a career at Turning Stone Resort Casino, home to one of New York’s most award-winning golf programs. He’s also been recognized repeatedly by the PGA for his work with the resort’s PGA HOPE program and his expert instruction.
Yet being named one of the Golf Range Association of America’s Top 100 Growth of the Game Teaching Professionals for 2023 is especially meaningful because he is so passionate about sharing the sport with others.
“It is an honor,” Ryan says. “It reflects on all the hard work and dedication I give to the game of golf and my students.”
That dedication began when Ryan was just four years old. Each summer, he’d go to work with his mother at a local golf course and began learning the game. Eventually, he challenged himself to see how many holes he could play in a single day, setting a personal record at 54.
Ryan went on to complete several golf internships and found a role as a Player Development Coordinator with the CNY PGA. When he was ready for a new challenge, an Associate Teaching Professional role with Turning Stone Enterprises offered just what he was looking for. Since then, Ryan credits the golf industry education he’s received on the job and strong connections with team members for his rise to a Teaching Professional position. Each day, he works with players at all levels through private lessons, clinics and special events, building relationships and helping them find their own love for the sport.
While Ryan is passionate about introducing guests of all ages to golf, he takes special pride in his work with Turning Stone’s PGA HOPE program. The program introduces active-duty service members and military veterans to golf, providing a positive environment designed to build camaraderie among those who served and foster physical, mental, social and emotional well-being. PGA HOPE has grown exponentially at Turning Stone since its origins in 2017, expanding from just seven participants to serving more than 300 service members and veterans each year – something Ryan finds incredibly rewarding.
“Teaching golf and growing the game helps me change lives, build meaningful relationships and make a positive impact in the community,” he explains. “That is a lot of fun, and it is what I am proud to do.”
He is also proud to be part of the Turning Stone golf team, where he has found incredible support in a program that always puts guests first and allows him to make a real difference in his students’ lives. To any up-and-coming golf pros looking to tee off a career at Turning Stone, Ryan offers simple advice.
“Be ambitious,” he says. “Don’t be afraid to try something and fail. Continue to learn about yourself and those around you, and success will come your way in golf and in any position at Turning Stone Enterprises.”
Elyssa Lekki serves as spa supervisor at our Skana Spa, which was just voted No. 1 Best Spa in Casino Player Magazine’s annual “Best of Gaming” awards. But as recently as three years ago, she managed a vastly different clientele: She was a preschool teacher in Whitesboro.
The decision to switch careers didn’t come easily. Elyssa loved her students and the families she worked with during her years as a teacher. After seven years in the classroom, she simply wanted a change.
So she came to Turning Stone Enterprises and applied for an entry-level receptionist position. Management saw her talent immediately and offered her a role as lead receptionist—a role that wasn’t even advertised at the time. Two years later, she was promoted to supervisor, where she has excelled ever since.
Most of her job revolves around people—either interacting with guests or training team members on new processes.
Luckily for Elyssa, she also gets first dibs as a practice client when therapists are learning new treatments.
She said she was never much of a spa person before this job, but certainly now appreciates the benefits of self-care.
“Being a guinea pig for our therapists is one of the best perks of this job,” Elyssa joked. “I know our therapists are talented, and it’s nice to experience just how talented they are by laying on the table myself.”
The Oriskany native said she takes pride in the high standard of service and noted that connecting it to the culture of the Oneida Indian Nation only makes the Skana experience more special.
“Everything we do, from the decorations to the treatments to the products we use, is reflective of the Oneida Indian Nation culture,” she said. “It’s all incredibly educational, not just for our guests but also for those of us who work here and are always eager and willing to learn more.”
Her insider tip? Book spa treatments in the morning, since guests can check in up to an hour before services and get to take advantage of Skana amenities all day long. Elyssa added that ordering lunch at the Spa Café is always a nice treat because the food is prepared by the chefs at Wildflowers restaurant inside The Lodge, another Forbes Four-Star rated venue at the resort.