With so many exciting changes happening on a daily basis, it’s hard to imagine that the entire property began as a Bingo hall back in 1985. Fast forward 32 years, and the bingo hall space is making way for new opportunities. For those team members who worked in bingo, this marks a new chapter in their career. We invite you to meet them and hear their experiences as they transition to other departments at Swinomish Casino & Lodge.
Brian Solomon
Among the bingo hall team members is Brian Solomon, who joined the team in 1993, before the casino floor was built. For more than 15 years, Brian worked various jobs, learning the ins and outs of bingo operation, before being promoted to a supervisor. Brian welcomed his transition to the accounting department, where he now works as a revenue auditor. For him, this new job means consistent hours — working the day shift — and enjoying weekends off. Despite the nice perks, Brian does miss his bingo guests. Since he spends much of his day at a desk, he appreciates the opportunity to bump into bingo guests while walking to his office area. “I do miss seeing the people. Being in bingo for so long, I grew to know quite a few of them, and they knew me personally,” Brian said. He hopes his bingo players will continue to visit to understand why the changes are necessary. By making more room for new dining outlets and gaming areas, Brian said we can improve the property for everyone.
Megan Barton
Since 2015, Megan Barton worked in the bingo hall as a bingo clerk and bingo caller. She helped host games, paid guests their winnings, and made sure guests were having a fun time. Now, you can find her working in marketing as a promotion assistant, a switch that Megan looked forward to and embraced. As a promotion assistant, Megan hosts game shows and works on the casino floor during giveaways and promotions. “I feel that I have a more influential and bigger impact on the casino floor, and I get to interact with guests more,” Megan said. Working on the casino floor has allowed her to meet new guests, something that she looks forward to each day. She does still miss her bingo players and bingo team members — they are like family. Megan hopes that her bingo guests will return to share the ongoing excitement with everyone. In addition to the new features for guests, Megan looks forward to more dining and breakroom space for team members.
Nora Born With a Tooth
For Nora Born With a Tooth, the ongoing renovations led her to a new position in the slot department. Now she works as a slot attendant, where she helps verify jackpots, repair machines, and answer guest questions. She welcomes the chance to interact with and meet all of our guests, but she misses her bingo players. “It always makes me so happy to see my bingo guests. You definitely remember the guests who came to bingo, because they would come all of the time,” Nora said. Closing the bingo doors opened up opportunities for other departments to gain a valuable team member, like Nora. These new job opportunities for team members, along with all of the renovations, are exciting. Nora is especially looking forward to the new carpet being installed, which she had the chance to sneak peek and says is “soft and very colorful.” She hopes her bingo players follow the progress on SwinomishConstruction.com and return to check out the enhancements. “It’s always nice to see my players, and I know they’ll be impressed.”
Tammy Sundheim
During Tammy’s time in bingo, she worked as a caller, sold tickets and paid out winning guests. She always enjoys giving away money, so her new position in the marketing department is a perfect fit. As a promotion assistant, Tammy gets to host Hot Seat drawings, game shows and other promotions. Even though she misses her bingo players, Tammy gets to see them around the casino floor playing slots or table games. She’s confident that they will be excited to see all of the improvements at Swinomish Casino & Lodge. “The new expanded non-smoking section will be amazing! Our non-smoking guests will be very pleased with it,” Tammy said. On top of that, she said guests can look forward to new dining outlets and more games.
