Senior Management

Rick Salinas
General Manager

The General Manager of Barona Resort & Casino is responsible for keeping Barona on its path of leading the gaming industry in every type of innovation. As General Manager, Rick Salinas oversees the operations of this premier resort property which includes an award-winning casino, resort hotel, restaurants, and a championship golf course Barona Creek Golf Club, continually ranked in the top five in California since its opening. With an extensive background in gaming and hospitality, he leads a management team that is considered to be the best in the industry. In his position, he is responsible for setting the strategy and vision for the resort that employs nearly 3,000 staff members. In addition to overseeing the operations of the entire business including marketing, human resources, gaming, hospitality, finance, and information technology, he is committed to expanding Barona’s leadership position through innovation, customer service, and marketing excellence. Rick Salinas joined Barona Resort & Casino in November 2000 as Assistant General Manager of Human Resources. His successful career includes executive management positions with leading properties including Stouffer Hotels and Resorts, Interstate Hotels, Four Seasons, Metro Hotels, and Station Casinos. 


Nick Dillon
Executive Vice President/Assistant General Manager

As Executive Vice President/Assistant General Manager for one of America’s most innovative and dynamic casinos, Nick Dillon has been a leader in transforming the one time Bingo Hall into a success story for the ages, Barona Resort & Casino. During his 18-year tenure at Barona, Mr. Dillon has worked his way through the organization under the tutelage of the finest management team in gaming. His experience in Bingo, Poker, Table Games, Slots, and Player Development make Nick uniquely qualified to lead Barona’s gaming operations team, which he has done since 1997. Currently, he oversees slots, table games, poker, OTB, executive hosts, player development, and Club Barona. In this capacity, he manages more than 1,000 staff members including all of the assistant casino managers, special events and promotions, and casino sales. In addition, Mr. Dillon currently leads five separate technology initiatives that will continue to maintain Barona Resort & Casino’s position as a leader in gaming technology.

 

Troy Simpson
Executive Vice President/Assistant General Manager

 Troy Simpson has more than 18 years of experience in the casino industry during which time he has developed and honed his skills in gaming operations and casino marketing. As Executive Vice President/Assistant General Manager at Barona Resort & Casino, Mr. Simpson oversees both casino and non-gaming operations to ensure the entire property is in complete alignment to optimize the casino player’s experience. Prior to his current position, Mr. Simpson was senior vice president of innovation marketing, and he played an integral role in keeping Barona on the cutting edge of business practices across all areas of operation while maintaining its long standing reputation for innovation excellence. He also served as executive director of loyalty marketing, where he was responsible for database marketing, casino hosts, guest services, shuttle and bus programs, casino customer room reservations, events and promotions and Barona’s award-winning players club. Specializing in business strategy, execution, process improvement, organizational dynamics, and acquisition and retention marketing, Mr. Simpson has been a big part of Barona’s success in the gaming industry.  He is a proven leader with a natural ability to create positive organizational change. A strong communicator and industry expert, he has been the subject of frequent interviews and has spoken at a variety of industry trade shows, conferences and educational venues. Mr. Simpson began his career at Harrah’s Entertainment where he worked for eight years. He earned his Bachelor of Business Administration with a focus in marketing at Austin Peay State University in Tennessee.

Dean Allen
Senior Vice President, Administration

With more than 25 years experience in the financial industry, Dean Allen joined Barona Resort & Casino in 1996 and has managed the finance and accounting department for the past 13 years. Prior to joining Barona, he served in a financial consulting capacity for almost two years and held senior management positions with various other San Diego-based companies including Maintenance Warehouse/America Corporation and Deloitte & Touche. While at Barona, Mr. Allen has been instrumental in securing major bank financing for the expansion of the resort destination property including bond issuance and banker and bond holder relations. In his current position, he oversees the accounting, planning and analysis, cash handling, warehousing, and purchasing departments for Barona and also serves as the trustee for the employee 401k program. He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the California Society of CPAs.

Chuck Hickey
Vice President, Slot Operations

As Vice President of Slot Operations, Chuck Hickey’s focus is on overseeing the daily operations and future planning of the slot floor at Barona. With a far-reaching vision for future progress of the property, Mr. Hickey works with multiple departments to ensure Barona’s slot technology is at the forefront of the casino industry. One of his greatest roles is retail analysis - assessing the quality and popularity of machines on the floor and ensuring they are positioned in the most relevant areas to maximize revenue. During his 35 years in slot operations, Mr. Hickey has worked his way up from slot bookkeeping to the coin room, eventually to the gaming floor. He spent 18 years with various Harrah’s properties in Las Vegas and Reno, as well as eight years with the Silver Legacy in Reno. In addition, he was the General Manager of the Empress Hammond in Hammond, Indiana.

Mike Murphy
Vice President, Technology

With more than 30 years of experience in the technology industry, Mike Murphy joined Barona in May of 2003 and currently serves as Vice President of Technology. In his current role, he oversees an information technology department with more than 50 engineers, analysts, and computer programmers, is responsible for testing manufacturer’s products, searching for innovative applications, and developing new products, all through Barona’s Gaming Laboratory. In addition, he is charged with creating innovative ways to increase revenue and operational efficiencies through the use of technology, ensuring Barona is always on the cutting edge. Mr. Murphy’s technology background is extensive, and he began his career as a main frame computer operator at Tulane University. Over the years, he held various positions in the technology industry before entering the gaming industry 15 years ago at Bally Entertainment in New Orleans.


Mike Patterson
Vice President, Table Games Operations

Mike Patterson, Vice President of Table Games Operations, is the driving force behind what is widely regarded as the most innovative and player-friendly table game operation in the industry. Under Mike’s unique leadership, Barona offers not only the world’s most liberal high stakes blackjack games, but they are also known as the “world’s premier gambling laboratory” for a variety of gambling vendors and inventors. Armed with Bachelor of Science degree from San Diego State University and an encyclopedic knowledge of all games of chance, in his 15 years at Barona his duties have grown to include overseeing off-track betting, poker, and the training and supervision of some 500 professionals under his tutelage.


Don King
Executive Director of Golf

As Executive Director of Golf at Barona Creek Golf Club, PGA Professional Don King is responsible for the overall operation of the golf course, pro shop, golf school, and tournament management. In addition, he spearheads golf course sustainability programs including an innovative turf reduction program; a voluntary, pro-active effort designed to lower irrigation and maintenance needs to enhance Barona’s conservation of natural resources. The ambitious environmental program is destined to become a model for the golf industry and supports Barona Creek’s eco-friendly achievements including its Bronze Signature Sanctuary Certification from Audubon International. Mr. King has served as Head Golf Pro for some of the leading golf courses in the country including Desert Hills Golf Club in Arizona and Grand Blanc Country Club in Michigan. In addition, he has also garnered experience at Old Elm Club in Chicago, Imperial Golf Club in Florida, and Army-Navy Country Club in Washington, D.C. During his career, King has earned accolades such as PGA Golf Professional of the Year in 1991, and PGA Merchandiser of the Year in 1997.

      Loosest Slots. More Winners.
Danielle won $20,000, May 15.         Marilou won $20,000, May 15.         Kimberly won $22,500, May 15.         John won $10,000, May 15.         Jean won $5,116, May 14.         Gladys won $5,533, May 14.         Rafaela won $5,600, May 14.         Elizabeth won $20,520, May 13.         Gregorio won $22,500, May 13.         Josephine won $9,157, May 13.         Elenora won $10,000, May 13.         Jarrod won $13,270, May 13.         Dorina won $17,773, May 12.         Kristi won $10,381, May 12.         Bernard won $10,000, May 12.         Richard won $12,500, May 12.         Margaret won $23,840, May 11.         David won $45,000, May 11.         Shirley won $13,500, May 11.         Sylvia won $10,000, May 10.         Alexis won $16,360, May 10.         Manuel won $22,312, May 10.         Emil won $27,000, May 10.         Ronald won $8,000, May 09.         Marvin won $10,557, May 09.         Robert won $10,000, May 09.         Marie won $20,000, May 09.         Edward won $8,000, May 08.         Dorothy won $8,000, May 08.         Christina won $8,007, May 08.         Hiep won $8,005, May 08.         Rosalinda won $10,000, May 08.         Terry won $100,000, May 08.         Candice won $20,000, May 07.         Nancy won $8,532, May 07.         Eddie won $18,000, May 07.         Lanny won $24,330, May 07.         William won $8,000, May 07.         Gregoria won $9,328, May 07.         Huong won $8,000, May 07.         Rowena won $10,000, May 06.         Concepcion won $14,700, May 06.         James won $10,000, May 06.         Amer won $20,022, May 05.         Lourdes won $10,000, May 05.         Gregory won $10,000, May 05.         Andria won $15,000, May 05.         Carol won $10,000, May 05.         Priscilla won $10,000, May 05.         James won $11,200, May 05.         Steven won $10,000, May 04.         James won $10,000, May 04.         Jajil won $10,340, May 04.         Bernard won $10,000, May 04.         Selma won $10,522, May 04.         Joao won $20,025, May 04.         Anna won $12,632, May 04.         Jamel won $17,150, May 04.         Chantha won $14,460, May 04.         Rachel won $10,050, May 04.         James won $8,020, May 03.         Guadalupe won $6,600, May 03.         Alexis won $6,430, May 03.         Saad won $8,000, May 03.         Margaret won $23,500, May 02.         Edward won $8,000, May 02.         Ronald won $20,000, May 02.         Erlinda won $15,000, May 02.         David won $8,000, May 02.         Marsha won $10,000, May 01.         Alexis won $8,005, May 01.         Karen won $10,000, May 01.         Manuel won $14,096, May 01.         Christina won $11,200, Apr 30.         Armida won $12,500, Apr 30.         Rommel won $16,000, Apr 30.         Maria won $10,000, Apr 30.         Steven won $20,000, Apr 29.         Douglas won $57,484, Apr 29.         David won $10,620, Apr 29.         Barbara won $10,000, Apr 29.         Roland won $24,715, Apr 28.         Shirley won $13,500, Apr 28.         Carol won $11,875, Apr 28.         Angelyn won $13,500, Apr 28.         David won $13,216, Apr 28.         Joao won $10,000, Apr 28.         Susan won $10,050, Apr 28.         Fadi won $10,000, Apr 28.         Maria won $15,983, Apr 27.         Ma won $12,769, Apr 27.         Kristin won $10,204, Apr 27.         Carol won $11,100, Apr 27.         Edwin won $9,600, Apr 26.         Alexis won $8,025, Apr 26.         Joao won $10,200, Apr 26.         Douglas won $33,682, Apr 25.         Lydia won $14,608, Apr 25.         Daniel won $10,320, Apr 25.         Jovita won $10,000, Apr 25.         Patrick won $25,596, Apr 25.         Elfriede won $10,000, Apr 25.         Elizabeth won $10,470, Apr 24.         Cynthia won $45,765, Apr 24.         Eunjung won $10,460, Apr 24.         Jose won $19,490, Apr 24.         Robert won $12,045, Apr 24.         Bryan won $14,105, Apr 23.         Adam won $12,351, Apr 23.         Gary won $8,000, Apr 23.         Leonardo won $10,000, Apr 23.         Keith won $10,000, Apr 22.         Lona won $8,000, Apr 22.         Ablahad won $8,000, Apr 22.         Julieta won $8,840, Apr 22.         Martha won $8,842, Apr 21.         Danny won $25,000, Apr 21.         Jarrod won $9,922, Apr 21.         Joycelyn won $15,303, Apr 21.         Jesse won $160,280, Apr 20.         Betsy won $16,000, Apr 20.         Robert won $10,000, Apr 20.         Jacob won $90,000, Apr 20.         Sherwin won $13,000, Apr 20.         Mitchell won $10,000, Apr 19.         Kathy won $22,417, Apr 19.         Marilyn won $12,156, Apr 19.         Victor won $45,000, Apr 19.         Khaled won $8,138, Apr 18.         Janet won $15,780, Apr 18.         Bryan won $9,939, Apr 18.         Douglas won $26,932, Apr 18.         Marilou won $20,000, Apr 17.         Jean won $8,000, Apr 17.         Linda won $8,000, Apr 17.         John won $10,000, Apr 16.         Hyon won $8,594, Apr 16.         Chan won $11,449, Apr 16.         Wendy won $10,186, Apr 16.         Keith won $10,000, Apr 15.         Lilibeth won $12,000, Apr 15.         Sue won $10,651, Apr 15.         Jess won $12,474, Apr 15.         Fadi won $10,000, Apr 15.         Roland won $10,000, Apr 14.         Jaime won $12,000, Apr 14.         Darius won $11,008, Apr 14.         Jesus won $10,090, Apr 14.         Susan won $20,025, Apr 14.         Oscar won $10,300, Apr 14.         Benito won $10,000, Apr 14.         Arthur won $10,290, Apr 14.         Douglas won $12,040, Apr 14.         Carol won $18,000, Apr 13.         Kris won $11,294, Apr 13.         Marie won $10,000, Apr 13.         Sunita won $10,000, Apr 12.         Janice won $10,139, Apr 12.         Holly won $11,805, Apr 12.         Marie won $20,000, Apr 12.         Marla won $20,000, Apr 12.         Bryan won $14,100, Apr 11.         Richard won $26,473, Apr 11.         Darryl won $8,000, Apr 11.         Thelma won $12,387, Apr 11.         Saint-Jovite won $36,000, Apr 10.         Joao won $10,025, Apr 10.         Eunjung won $13,594, Apr 10.         Marsha won $10,000, Apr 09.         Richelle won $8,012, Apr 09.         Kamal won $25,275, Apr 09.         Yesin won $10,000, Apr 09.         Ellen won $15,000, Apr 08.         Balvir won $12,100, Apr 08.         Joao won $13,735, Apr 07.         Fadi won $10,000, Apr 07.         Robert won $10,020, Apr 07.         Francisco won $20,710, Apr 06.         Cathy won $16,035, Apr 06.         Alberta won $15,000, Apr 06.         Wassan won $13,360, Apr 06.         Raad won $13,360, Apr 06.         Demetrio won $14,613, Apr 06.         Francisco won $10,000, Apr 05.         Elizabeth won $23,755, Apr 05.         Olivia won $10,000, Apr 05.         Marilou won $20,000, Apr 05.         Danny won $15,125, Apr 05.         Anthony won $10,000, Apr 05.         Krysta won $6,781, Apr 04.         Kim won $8,000, Apr 04.         Mi Ja won $15,786, Apr 04.         Emilie won $10,000, Apr 04.         Henk won $29,830, Apr 03.         Mitchel won $20,000, Apr 03.         Robert won $16,150, Apr 03.         Carol won $20,775, Apr 03.         Anthony won $40,413, Apr 03.         Filder won $15,197, Apr 03.         Leticia won $8,000, Apr 02.         Elizabeth won $10,694, Apr 02.         Gerald won $48,764, Apr 02.         Maria won $8,035, Apr 02.         Evelyn won $10,815, Apr 02.         Amy won $8,019, Apr 01.         John won $20,000, Apr 01.         Juanito won $10,000, Apr 01.         Fawaz won $10,110, Apr 01.         Mario won $10,070, Apr 01.         Rafaela won $29,400, Apr 01.         Darlene won $10,263, Mar 31.         Douglas won $25,500, Mar 31.         Sylvia won $10,000, Mar 31.         Bernard won $20,000, Mar 31.         Cathy won $8,015, Mar 31.         Katie won $11,966, Mar 31.         Joao won $16,000, Mar 31.         Susan won $14,100, Mar 31.         Keith won $10,000, Mar 30.         Marcia won $10,000, Mar 30.         Lisa won $25,878, Mar 30.         Sandra won $11,250, Mar 30.         Tony won $10,400, Mar 30.         Loretta won $9,000, Mar 29.         Concepcion won $10,000, Mar 29.         Joao won $10,375, Mar 29.         Victoria won $250,000, Mar 29.         Mitchel won $10,000, Mar 28.         Dianne won $4,979, Mar 28.         David won $7,374, Mar 28.         Wasan won $5,000, Mar 28.         Pilar won $5,850, Mar 27.         Sue won $6,153, Mar 27.         Susan won $5,000, Mar 27.         Elizabeth won $10,000, Mar 26.         Francisco won $10,000, Mar 26.         Doris won $9,106, Mar 26.         Hanh won $19,045, Mar 26.         Jose won $36,750, Mar 26.         Amber won $9,293, Mar 25.         Tien won $27,244, Mar 25.         Cindy won $10,490, Mar 25.         Osman won $8,815, Mar 25.         Phat won $8,959, Mar 24.         Jaime won $8,000, Mar 24.         Cindy won $8,887, Mar 24.         Renilda won $10,000, Mar 24.         Rhonda won $15,000, Mar 23.         Cindy won $15,375, Mar 23.         Nichell won $7,275, Mar 23.         John won $10,290, Mar 23.         Mitchel won $20,000, Mar 22.         Charles won $45,000, Mar 22.         Diep won $10,000, Mar 22.         Patrick won $10,000, Mar 22.         Alice won $12,528, Mar 21.         Vonekham won $10,000, Mar 21.         Manuel won $7,706, Mar 21.         Paz won $56,762, Mar 21.         Farhad won $20,000, Mar 20.         Mawaheb won $15,668, Mar 20.         Rosemary won $10,000, Mar 20.         Santiago won $22,500, Mar 20.         John won $15,000, Mar 19.         Richard won $6,400, Mar 19.         Theresa won $7,000, Mar 19.         Lourdes won $8,609, Mar 19.         Leonor won $10,000, Mar 18.         But won $10,741, Mar 18.         Henk won $15,132, Mar 18.         Jennifer won $20,050, Mar 18.         Joao won $15,010, Mar 18.         Susan won $50,000, Mar 18.         Dolores won $19,993, Mar 17.         Armand won $11,250, Mar 17.         Jennifer won $23,270, Mar 17.         Francisco won $10,757, Mar 17.         Nenita won $12,621, Mar 17.         Kenneth won $11,250, Mar 16.         Nonie won $9,150, Mar 16.         Steve won $20,000, Mar 16.         Carol won $8,095, Mar 16.         Frances won $10,000, Mar 15.         Michael won $124,250, Mar 15.         Marla won $6,320, Mar 15.         Cora won $9,800, Mar 15.         Mawaheb won $10,567, Mar 14.         Christine won $14,500, Mar 14.         Danielle won $20,424, Mar 14.         Linda won $12,155, Mar 14.         Joao won $10,000, Mar 14.         Oladapo won $8,690, Mar 13.         Linda won $10,000, Mar 13.         Annie won $30,926, Mar 13.         Ibtism won $11,657, Mar 13.         An won $9,197, Mar 12.         Mawaheb won $20,325, Mar 12.         Peter won $10,263, Mar 12.         John won $10,000, Mar 12.         Anna won $10,000, Mar 11.         Conrado won $8,000, Mar 11.         Patricia won $8,000, Mar 11.         Michael won $9,400, Mar 11.         Elsie won $10,415, Mar 11.         Silvia won $9,366, Mar 11.         Mitchell won $10,000, Mar 10.         Conrado won $16,000, Mar 10.         Susan won $8,090, Mar 10.         Alan won $10,290, Mar 10.         John won $10,000, Mar 09.         John won $34,300, Mar 09.         Saad won $20,000, Mar 09.         Oscar won $12,404, Mar 09.         Mitchell won $20,000, Mar 08.         Pura won $8,000, Mar 08.         Victor won $24,069, Mar 08.         Joao won $8,020, Mar 08.         Kongsend won $23,761, Mar 07.         Sylvia won $32,777, Mar 07.         Felix won $12,688, Mar 07.         Marian won $10,000, Mar 07.         Niem won $12,488, Mar 07.         Khalid won $10,290, Mar 07.         Emil won $36,750, Mar 07.         Mawaheb won $7,100, Mar 06.         Francisco won $9,811, Mar 06.         Dorothy won $8,000, Mar 06.         Steve won $20,000, Mar 06.         Leonora won $15,921, Mar 05.         Robert won $12,150, Mar 05.         Stephan won $12,388, Mar 05.         Rocky won $8,000, Mar 05.         Modesto won $9,727, Mar 04.         Mark won $8,000, Mar 04.         Rafaela won $18,750, Mar 04.         Dolly won $10,562, Mar 04.         Thanh won $10,000, Mar 03.         Shanyque won $20,000, Mar 03.         Cathy won $38,820, Mar 03.         Selma won $36,090, Mar 03.         Ronald won $10,000, Mar 02.         Sunita won $10,000, Mar 02.         Iyad won $10,298, Mar 02.         Cindy won $31,925, Mar 02.         Laura won $10,000, Mar 02.         Lanny won $37,655, Mar 02.         James won $40,000, Mar 01.         Emil won $10,000, Mar 01.         Holly won $10,535, Mar 01.         Osama won $10,000, Mar 01.