Gila River Casinos, operators of Wild Horse Pass Hotel and Casino, Lone Butte Casino and Vee Quiva Casino, has appointed Tom Ruggiero managing director of hotel operations for Wild Horse Pass Hotel and Casino.
Ruggiero will oversee all aspects of the hotel at the AAA Four Diamond property located just east of Ahwatukee Foothills.
Ruggiero has spent more than 20 years in the hospitality industry, where he has earned a solid reputation as a leader with hands-on experience at every level of the hotel and resort business. Ruggiero most recently worked with Pechanga Resort and Casino, where participated in the opening of the property and managed several high profile projects. He was named project manager of the renovation of the Spa Pechanga, he oversaw the opening of the property's Journey Golf Course, and he implemented the Pechanga Green Team, which established the properties first recycling program.
Wild Horse Pass Hotel and Casino opened in October of 2009 and was the first Las Vegas-style casino in the Arizona market.
• Briefs compiled from staff and wire reports.
