Saul Wesley grew up in Las Vegas and attended the Las Vegas Business College before getting into the gaming industry in an accounting role at the original MGM Grand, even after it became Bally’s. Wesley later worked in slot operations as both a manager and director at the Monte Carlo and is currently vice president of slot operations at Luxor Hotel & Casino. The interview with Wesley begins with a discussion of his background and the distinction between the roles of a director and of a vice president in slot management. He also describes how the slot department works with other departments in the casino, and he mentions specific mentors who have helped him in his career. The interview transitions to a discussion on what makes both a good and bad slot manager, particularly in the context of proper leadership with employees. Wesley then provides his perspectives on what customers are looking for in slots and what makes a good and appealing slot floor. He later describes the process of dealing with vendors and discusses how both free play and ticket-in, ticket-out have changed the slot industry. The interview then shifts to a Wesley’s views on how slot management has changed over the years and how the slot industry, mainly in the sense of technology, will likely continue to change. Wesley also briefly mentions his personal extent of gambling and finalizes the interview with his advice to young people who want to go into the slot industry.
Erma "Linda" Rivera was born in Morenci, Arizona, in 1952. In the Las Vegas Valley, where Linda has lived for over twenty years, she has promoted educational opportunities for youth, particularly in the Hispanic community. Both she and her husband moved from Montana, where her husband worked as a power plant operator on Yellowtail Dam, to southern Nevada to work on Hoover Dam in 1986. Linda was put in charge of the affirmative employment plan for her branch of the Bureau of Reclamation. She thought there should be more Hispanics working for the Bureau of Reclamation, but she found that there weren't many Hispanics studying engineering. Linda reached out to John Medina at the Southern Nevada Hispanic Employment Program for help. He convinced her to become involved with the program, and she would later become its conference chair. Linda organized the Family Leadership Module for parents in the Clark County School District to give advice and encouragement for parents who are non-native speakers of English, so that they feel more confident becoming involved in the school district. She currently works as the Diversity Officer for the Bureau of Reclamation in Boulder City.
Narrator b.1891. Las Vegas history from 1942 to 1979. Las Vegas airfield (Nellis). Prostitution. Hoover (Boulder) Dam: two anecdotes. Effect of WWII on Las Vegas. Hotel/casinos during the 1940s and 1950s. Leisure activities. Eldorado Festival. Lorenzi Park. BMI Plant. Retirement in Las Vegas.
John Cahlan (1902-1988) is interviewed by Radmila Radovich about the beginning of Las Vegas, including the role of the Union Pacific Railroad and its need for water. Cahlan discusses the changes in Las Vegas over time, including the evolution of the Western Air Express station to Nellis Air Force Base, as well as his concerns for the future of Las Vegas.
Michael E. Kulwin interviews co-worker Charles A. Bennett (b. 1914) at his home. Bennett discusses early gaming figures, real estate, Howard Hughes, and casino development. Bennett also weighs in on the Carol Lombard plane crash tragedy, and the early atomic bomb tests conducted in Nevada.