William F. Harrah College of Hospitality Alumnus of the Year David Ross, '95 BSBA Management, ’05 MHA) is currently the CEO of Gaming Asset Management Advisers, a casino industry management and asset-consulting firm. He is also CEO of Gaming Asset Management Enterprises, an asset management holding company. Prior to that, he served as CEO and director of Affinity Gaming from 2011 to 2014. He previously served as the chief operating officer — gaming, for Herbst Gaming, a predecessor of Affinity Gaming. Ross also spent 25 years with Coast Casinos, now a division of Boyd Gaming.
Tell us about a when someone showed you unexpected kindness. How do you pay it forward?
I was not the typical student. Before I earned my degree, I entered the workforce and began a career in the gaming industry with Coast Casinos under Michael Gaughan and Frank Toti, my two mentors. Gaughan, who was Coast’s chairman and chief executive officer, had previously taught casino management at 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ and was a founding member of the 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ Foundation Board of Trustees. I learned so much from him, and not just about how to be successful in the gaming industry, but also how giving back is very much a part of success in this sophisticated, dynamic industry.
After receiving my bachelor’s degree from 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ, I pursued my graduate degree, but also felt driven to give back to my alma mater. I co-taught casino management with Leo Lewis while attending graduate school. Along the way I also served on the 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ Gaming Advisory Board, under the late Shannon Bybee.
Upon receiving my master’s in hotel administration, I again wanted to give back to 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ. I was honored to be nominated to the 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ Foundation Board of Trustees. I continue to serve in this role and proudly donate my time and make financial contributions to support 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ and our students. In more than three decades in the casino industry, I have had the privilege of being the COO of Coast Casinos and later CEO of Affinity Gaming. Those companies have extended many intern opportunities to 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ students and more importantly actively recruited and hired 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ graduates.
From my perspective, since there are more than 100,000 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ alumni; if each of us can give back in some form, we ensure that 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ continues to be a successful institution for this great community.
Gaming industry in his blood
Ross brings more than 30 years of executive-level leadership in the gaming industry, an industry in which several other family members have enjoyed prosperous careers. His father, Thomas, is a casino executive and Ross followed in his footsteps. His wife, Patricia, oversees the Michael J. Gaughan Airports Slots Concession. Recently, Ross’s daughter, Rebecca, graduated from the 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ hospitality program and is currently working at South Point as she embarks on her own career in the industry.
Ross earned a bachelor of arts in business management and a master of arts in hotel administration from 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ. He joined the Foundation Board of Trustees in 2013 and currently serves as second vice chairman and is also on the finance committee.
