The Plaza Hotel & Casino has brought on several new executives to further elevate the guest experience at the iconic downtown Las Vegas property, which has witnessed a significant turnaround and has outpaced downtown’s overall growth since Jonathan Jossel took over as CEO in 2015.
In recent months, Jossel has recruited new leadership for key departments, including casino marketing/operations, food and beverage, and brand management. “As part of my effort to grow the Plaza’s offerings and attract new customers, I wanted to recruit leaders with a wealth of experience and knowledge to help us build on the success we’ve achieved so far,” said Jossel.
John Janicky, a 25-year gaming industry veteran, joined the Plaza as vice president of casino marketing and operations. Janicky most recently worked at SLS Las Vegas and Aliante Casino, a AAA Four Diamond Resort. At the Plaza, he will focus on leveraging technology and developing new and exciting marketing programs to enhance the players’ experience.
Ryan Rowland will lead the Plaza’s food and beverage program seeking to elevate the property’s offerings and create unmatched dining experiences in the heart of downtown Las Vegas. He comes to the Plaza with a distinguished resume in management at famed restaurants such as Spago Las Vegas, Michael Mina Bellagio, StripSteak at Mandalay Bay, and Jean-Georges Prime Steakhouse. Most recently, Rowland was director of restaurants for the transition of the Monte Carlo Resort and Casino to Park MGM.
Rowland is joined by Michael Vakneen who returns to the Plaza after co-founding the popular Pop Up Pizza, one of downtown’s first gourmet pizzerias located on the Plaza’s casino floor. With a background in commercial real estate and restaurant development, including opening nine restaurants and bars in three years for a Las Vegas based restaurant group, Vakneen now works as a concept developer, food and beverage analyst, and director of special projects for the Plaza.
Rounding out the new team is Bronson Olimpieri. With 20 years of experience in the hospitality industry, Olimpieri is owner and operator of TCB Strategic, a hospitality marketing and branding agency. Olimpieri is working with the Plaza on brand management and to develop new concepts and creative initiatives for the property.
“The experience that John, Ryan, Michael and Bronson bring to the Plaza is unparalleled. Working with them and our dedicated and talented team at the Plaza, we are charting a new course for the property that will result in continued growth while also diversifying the downtown experience,” added Jossel.
About the Plaza Hotel & Casino:
Located in the heart of downtown Las Vegas, the Plaza Hotel & Casino combines a vintage Rat Pack attitude with modern styling and personal customer service for the ultimate Vegas experience. First opened in 1971 and built on the site of the original Las Vegas railroad depot, the Plaza has 1,003 updated rooms and suites, a classic Vegas showroom, downtown’s only bingo hall and 30,000 square feet of renovated ballroom and meeting space. Guests enjoy a variety of dining options led by the Rat Pack-styled Oscar’s steakhouse in the hotel’s iconic glass dome overlooking the Fremont Street Experience. Hundreds of slot machines, from the latest games to traditional coin machines, and nearly two dozen table games comprise an 80,000-square-foot casino floor, which is also home to downtown’s largest race and sports book. A fully renovated rooftop pool and recreation deck, complete with private cabanas, hot tub, food truck, tennis court and dedicated Pickleball courts, provide guests with a variety of outdoor amenities. For more information on the multiple award-winning Plaza Hotel & Casino, visit www.plazahotelcasino.com .
