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Visionary John Acres likes to use his engineering background and computer expertise to solve problems. He has sold more companies that most people ever form—Electronic Data Technologies, Mikohn Gaming, and Acres Gaming—and he still owns the Acres 4.0 and Gen Seven companies. The 2016 Inductee to the American Gaming Association and the University of Nevada Las Vegas Gaming Hall of Fame reshaped the gaming industry by inventing electronic player tracking, progressive jackpot systems, and loyalty programs. Each innovation focused on customer service—"what would the customer think; what would they like; what would really get them excited; what would get them to come back"—and harkened back to lessons taught him by Norman Little, manager of Mr. Sy's Casino of Fun and one of the first people to hire a teenaged John Acres. In this interview, Acres bookends his remarkable career in gaming with the customer service philosophy of Norman Little as the basis, culminating with solutions to enable g
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The Penelope Ruchman Collection of Las Vegas, Nevada Casino Professionals Oral Histories includes interviews conducted by Ruchman from approximately 1999 to 2001 of casino industry workers who worked in Las Vegas, Nevada. The majority of interviews were conducted by Ruchman in their office at Gambler's Book Shop (GBS), but some where conducted in interviewee's homes and offices, or over the phone. The collection represents Ruchman's efforts to interview and document a generation of early casino industry workers that were quickly aging. The project was intended to be compiled as a definitive history of Las Vegas and American gambling, entitled "After the Gold Rush." The project was permanently postponed in the fall of 2001 when Ruchman left GBS to work for Park Place Entertainment as a corporate business and operations analyst, and later as casino operations director for Caesars Palace. Not all interviews have digital transcripts available.
Archival Collection
The Jeanne Russell Janish Papers (1833-1994; bulk dates 1894-1994) consist of journals, diaries, research files, academic records, correspondence, photographs, and paintings and drawings that document the life and work of the illustrator and watercolorist. The paintings and drawings consist of approximately 140 watercolors and pencil sketches of various scenes and subjects, created in China, Florida, and the American Southwest. The collection also includes writings by Jeanne’s husband, Carl F. Janish.
Archival Collection
Collection is comprised of the papers of Las Vegas producer, manager, and agent Matt Gregory from 1959 to 1986. Included are contracts, costume sketches, press releases, videos, show reviews, and advertisements. Also included are correspondence, public relations material, business related material, costume and set design drawings and sketches, slides, negatives, photographs, transparencies, and videos, mostly from the 1960s through the 1980s.
Archival Collection
The Phil Carlino Papers (1967-2016) document Carlino's involvement in Nevada politics and business. The collection centers around Carlino’s time as State Chairman of the Nevada State Democratic Party. It also includes materials from the National Democratic Party, the 1972 Democratic National Convention, and personal papers. His wife and business partner, Florence Carlino, is mentioned throughout the collection. She was involved in numerous local organizations and was a supporter of the Democratic Party. The materials include photographs, correspondence, newspaper articles, event programs and invitations, periodicals, and promotional campaign items from Carlino's campaigns for Nevada Secretary of State and Mayor of Las Vegas.
Archival Collection
The Gerald Schaffer Professional Papers (approximately 1949-1999) contain materials from Schaffer's time working as a political executive assistant, private sector consultant, and developer of commercial, residential, and gaming projects throughout Clark County, Nevada. The collection includes newspaper clippings, photographs, correspondence, and administrative files from Schaffer's time working as an executive assistant for Nevada Congressman Walter S. Baring Jr. Schaffer's work with organizations is represented through programs, photographs, and correspondence. Documents relating to his work as Commissioner of Public Housing on the Clark County Public Housing Authority, service as Clark County Planning Commissioner, and as a commercial and residential developer in Las Vegas are also present in the collection.
Archival Collection
The Matt Gregory Photograph Collection contains color and black-and-white photographic prints, negatives, and slides of musical and dance shows he produced in Nevada and international locations between 1959 and 1985.
Archival Collection