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.
Michael won $10,025, May 16.         Thelma won $8,183, May 16.         Sandra won $12,500, May 16.         Peter won $16,110, May 15.         Ilana won $10,000, May 15.         Pamila won $8,030, May 14.         Akira won $14,567, May 14.         Shawn won $10,000, May 14.         Robert won $8,000, May 13.         Dorothy won $8,000, May 13.         Cheryl won $8,010, May 13.         Sue won $11,700, May 13.         Charlotte won $12,865, May 12.         Mary Lou won $10,000, May 12.         Jaime won $12,500, May 12.         Lance won $10,000, May 11.         Sonia won $14,746, May 11.         Alireza won $48,140, May 11.         Joao won $16,000, May 11.         Wassan won $26,720, May 11.         Phuong won $15,371, May 10.         Leonard won $8,000, May 10.         Eusa won $10,000, May 10.         Mary won $8,000, May 09.         Ponciana won $11,196, May 09.         Alejandrina won $10,000, May 08.         Geraldine won $9,738, May 08.         Patricia won $10,000, May 08.         Phuoc won $16,351, May 07.         Mike won $10,000, May 07.         Cindy won $15,348, May 07.         Mai won $10,000, May 07.         Victor won $11,250, May 06.         Sue won $10,520, May 06.         Meiling won $102,818, May 06.         Joao won $11,230, May 06.         Dolly won $10,220, May 06.         Silvia won $10,100, May 06.         John won $12,500, May 05.         Jaret won $9,772, May 05.         Roberta won $16,000, May 05.         Leonard won $15,000, May 04.         Joao won $20,400, May 04.         Yu won $12,129, May 04.         Francisco won $20,000, May 03.         Darnetta won $19,200, May 03.         Kevin won $12,305, May 03.         Miguel won $11,250, May 03.         Linda won $10,000, May 02.         Linda won $8,216, May 02.         Leticia won $8,000, May 02.         Caralyne won $12,403, May 01.         David won $12,710, May 01.         Michael won $10,100, May 01.         Judy won $10,000, May 01.         Zeida won $10,075, May 01.         Lisa won $20,000, Apr 30.         Donna won $20,014, Apr 30.         Cresencio won $10,000, Apr 30.         Michael won $10,525, Apr 30.         Colleen won $12,600, Apr 29.         Lisa won $20,000, Apr 29.         Joao won $40,750, Apr 29.         Jaret won $12,110, Apr 28.         Samuel won $22,170, Apr 28.         Clarence won $8,000, Apr 27.         Alfonso won $8,000, Apr 27.         Ayad won $8,000, Apr 27.         Jose won $8,000, Apr 27.         Lanny won $10,000, Apr 26.         Joao won $50,125, Apr 26.         Ronald won $16,135, Apr 26.         Cindy won $10,000, Apr 25.         Robert won $10,800, Apr 25.         Jerri won $16,525, Apr 25.         Michael won $20,300, Apr 25.         Mitchell won $10,000, Apr 25.         Diego won $10,000, Apr 25.         Joao won $10,100, Apr 24.         Francis won $11,595, Apr 24.         Somphone won $9,224, Apr 23.         Stephen won $8,931, Apr 23.         Elsie won $8,125, Apr 23.         Rafaela won $9,177, Apr 23.         Williams won $15,000, Apr 22.         Lanny won $10,000, Apr 22.         Joao won $18,708, Apr 22.         Linda won $17,129, Apr 21.         Ronald won $10,000, Apr 21.         Steven won $10,000, Apr 21.         John won $10,000, Apr 21.         Lydia won $20,080, Apr 21.         Kimberly won $13,370, Apr 21.         Michael won $10,000, Apr 20.         Douglas won $13,535, Apr 20.         Phillip won $10,000, Apr 20.         Ronnie won $10,000, Apr 20.         Julie won $10,000, Apr 20.         Joao won $20,375, Apr 20.         Sun won $66,701, Apr 20.         Jose won $10,976, Apr 20.         Alice won $10,000, Apr 20.         Jacob won $18,000, Apr 19.         Sunita won $12,000, Apr 19.         Omar won $14,478, Apr 19.         Pilar won $11,702, Apr 19.         Steven won $10,000, Apr 18.         Mark won $15,000, Apr 18.         Joao won $12,660, Apr 18.         Walid won $12,048, Apr 18.         Angel won $13,850, Apr 18.         Janet won $20,159, Apr 17.         Peter won $20,000, Apr 17.         Roland won $29,100, Apr 16.         Helen won $10,000, Apr 16.         Debra won $10,000, Apr 16.         Elsie won $16,025, Apr 16.         Jody won $10,593, Apr 15.         Sergio won $11,806, Apr 15.         Sherrie won $10,850, Apr 15.         Steven won $20,000, Apr 15.         Luzviminda won $11,030, Apr 15.         Michael won $40,025, Apr 14.         Maria won $10,413, Apr 14.         Ronald won $14,700, Apr 13.         Page won $72,600, Apr 13.         Chang won $12,868, Apr 13.         George won $12,040, Apr 13.         Maria won $10,440, Apr 13.         Linda won $10,000, Apr 12.         Sherrie won $10,710, Apr 12.         Steve won $20,000, Apr 12.         Gerald won $11,723, Apr 12.         Sunita won $27,375, Apr 12.         Peter won $19,865, Apr 12.         Eileen won $20,000, Apr 11.         Ramon won $12,900, Apr 11.         Jenny won $12,072, Apr 11.         Gertrude won $10,020, Apr 11.         Gertrudes won $10,020, Apr 11.         Ramon won $12,900, Apr 11.         Jenny won $12,072, Apr 11.         Ronnie won $10,000, Apr 10.         Andrea won $12,000, Apr 10.         Patricia won $10,000, Apr 09.         Ronnie won $10,000, Apr 09.         Michael won $22,800, Apr 09.         Sabrina won $12,467, Apr 09.         Michael won $19,260, Apr 09.         Christina won $44,568, Apr 09.         Herbert won $10,000, Apr 08.         Selma won $11,250, Apr 08.         Edward won $32,000, Apr 07.         Suleman won $10,360, Apr 07.         James won $10,000, Apr 07.         Rusty won $11,996, Apr 06.         Clarence won $17,217, Apr 06.         Joan won $20,192, Apr 06.         Mary won $10,014, Apr 06.         Hoa won $10,000, Apr 05.         James won $20,000, Apr 05.         Joseph won $11,725, Apr 05.         Robert won $16,000, Apr 05.         Cecilia won $13,916, Apr 05.         Margie won $19,133, Apr 04.         J Matil won $9,139, Apr 04.         Norma won $10,266, Apr 03.         Rafaela won $10,410, Apr 03.         Patricia won $10,000, Apr 03.         Jose won $25,813, Apr 03.         Silvia won $20,100, Apr 03.         Bobby won $10,000, Apr 02.         Larry won $8,000, Apr 02.         Hoang won $10,000, Apr 01.         Jeffrey won $10,000, Apr 01.         Robert won $32,000, Apr 01.         Maria won $10,000, Apr 01.         Patricia won $12,500, Apr 01.         Bobby won $15,082, Mar 31.         Eric won $10,600, Mar 31.         Samuel won $18,917, Mar 31.         Alfred won $10,000, Mar 31.         Joao won $20,100, Mar 31.         Ramune won $12,365, Mar 31.         Rafaela won $29,400, Mar 31.         Tien won $10,920, Mar 30.         Kamel won $20,000, Mar 30.         Janine won $10,000, Mar 30.         Bruce won $9,999, Mar 30.         Silvia won $10,100, Mar 30.         Alice won $10,000, Mar 29.         Hoang won $18,000, Mar 29.         Kyle won $18,404, Mar 29.         George won $50,000, Mar 29.         Steven won $8,000, Mar 29.         Donald won $58,957, Mar 28.         Bette won $11,750, Mar 28.         Roderick won $14,700, Mar 28.         Joan won $10,400, Mar 28.         Bree won $10,000, Mar 28.         Maxine won $12,690, Mar 27.         Jaret won $12,129, Mar 27.         Michael won $30,000, Mar 27.         Joao won $20,150, Mar 27.         Ramon won $12,500, Mar 26.         Reza won $9,212, Mar 26.         Alexis won $16,040, Mar 25.         Geraldine won $9,250, Mar 25.         Raad won $33,400, Mar 25.         Michael won $15,015, Mar 24.         Felipe won $10,000, Mar 24.         Raymond won $10,000, Mar 24.         Patricia won $10,000, Mar 24.         Kurt won $10,000, Mar 24.         Roberta won $10,000, Mar 24.         Fereidon won $40,000, Mar 23.         Suleman won $11,950, Mar 23.         Samuel won $22,111, Mar 23.         Arlyne won $48,919, Mar 23.         Irmgard won $25,600, Mar 23.         Miguel won $10,290, Mar 23.         Remigio won $10,017, Mar 23.         Francisco won $16,773, Mar 23.         Earlene won $15,000, Mar 23.         Clinton won $12,045, Mar 22.         Lucinda won $10,290, Mar 22.         Suleman won $14,460, Mar 22.         Wassan won $200,000, Mar 22.         Patricia won $20,000, Mar 21.         Martha won $34,926, Mar 21.         Bette won $15,236, Mar 21.         Sasiwimon won $18,500, Mar 21.         Margaret won $20,000, Mar 21.         Judy won $10,000, Mar 21.         Eileen won $9,202, Mar 20.         Dennis won $10,000, Mar 20.         Erik won $12,840, Mar 20.         Mark won $20,000, Mar 19.         Lorre won $22,506, Mar 19.         Lisa won $10,000, Mar 19.         Alice won $11,948, Mar 18.         Melinda won $10,000, Mar 18.         Joao won $20,150, Mar 18.         Steve won $10,000, Mar 18.         John won $10,440, Mar 17.         Peter won $10,000, Mar 17.         Ghassan won $10,000, Mar 17.         Miguel won $10,290, Mar 17.         Richard won $16,000, Mar 17.         Terry won $30,000, Mar 17.         Agueda won $10,000, Mar 17.         Carol won $12,030, Mar 16.         Mary won $16,135, Mar 16.         Joao won $10,000, Mar 16.         Erik won $16,680, Mar 16.         Blanca won $10,020, Mar 16.         Jennifer won $10,000, Mar 16.         Steve won $10,000, Mar 16.         Byung won $16,000, Mar 15.         Catherine won $10,717, Mar 15.         Raad won $33,400, Mar 15.         Sallianne won $9,633, Mar 14.         Rany won $16,218, Mar 14.         Byung won $20,000, Mar 12.         Dorothy won $11,146, Mar 12.         Brian won $16,000, Mar 12.         Byung won $16,000, Mar 11.         Christopher won $20,000, Mar 11.         Evelyn won $14,831, Mar 11.         Patricia won $10,000, Mar 10.         Marie won $10,000, Mar 10.         Christina won $10,020, Mar 10.         Selma won $25,371, Mar 10.         Joao won $21,090, Mar 10.         Bree won $10,000, Mar 10.         John won $10,000, Mar 09.         John won $10,000, Mar 09.         Juan won $10,018, Mar 09.         Elizabeth won $11,355, Mar 09.         Erik won $16,840, Mar 09.         Karen won $14,700, Mar 08.         Frank won $9,000, Mar 08.         Joao won $21,000, Mar 08.         Roberta won $10,000, Mar 08.         Trina won $9,663, Mar 07.         Maria won $10,240, Mar 07.         Joao won $20,100, Mar 07.         Ronnie won $20,000, Mar 07.         Don won $10,000, Mar 06.         Frances won $10,000, Mar 06.         Rafaela won $21,852, Mar 06.         Byung won $10,000, Mar 05.         Minh won $19,899, Mar 05.         Ronnie won $20,000, Mar 05.         Imelda won $10,000, Mar 05.         Su won $10,881, Mar 05.         Pamela won $18,588, Mar 05.         Sunita won $9,000, Mar 04.         Tien won $28,450, Mar 04.         Huey won $10,000, Mar 04.         Shelly won $15,000, Mar 03.         Elva won $11,154, Mar 03.         Kristine won $10,000, Mar 03.         Phuoc won $13,197, Mar 03.         Byung won $16,000, Mar 02.         Ryan won $15,805, Mar 02.         Veronica won $10,160, Mar 02.         Victoria won $10,101, Mar 02.         Gloria won $12,046, Mar 02.         Marc won $12,137, Mar 02.         Gary won $40,150, Mar 02.         Rafaela won $11,250, Mar 02.         Carmen won $10,000, Mar 01.         Karen won $10,290, Mar 01.         Joao won $40,200, Mar 01.         Steve won $20,000, Mar 01.         Marlene won $14,304, Mar 01.         Silvia won $6,430, Feb 28.         George won $8,000, Feb 28.         Ronnie won $20,000, Feb 27.         Danira won $8,419, Feb 27.         Janet won $8,000, Feb 26.         Marc won $27,242, Feb 26.         Vickie won $17,784, Feb 25.         Victoria won $12,000, Feb 25.         Cristina won $10,726, Feb 25.         Bonnie won $10,000, Feb 25.         Bree won $10,000, Feb 25.         Morris won $32,000, Feb 24.         Tien won $10,780, Feb 24.         Lenore won $10,000, Feb 24.         Michael won $12,856, Feb 24.         Joao won $20,000, Feb 24.         Terry won $18,750, Feb 24.         Robert won $12,469, Feb 23.         Rosa won $16,062, Feb 23.         Sunita won $20,000, Feb 22.         Blommie won $10,000, Feb 22.         Lisa won $10,000, Feb 22.         Oscar won $16,636, Feb 22.         Sylvia won $13,804, Feb 21.         Cindy won $9,112, Feb 21.         Shane won $10,492, Feb 21.         Byung won $40,000, Feb 20.         Steven won $20,000, Feb 20.         Owen won $15,066, Feb 20.         George won $6,050, Feb 19.         Dennis won $9,450, Feb 19.         Jinlong won $12,100, Feb 18.