Station Casinos has announced key leadership appointments for its Durango Casino & Resort, which is set to debut in southwest Las Vegas in the fourth quarter of 2023.
David Horn, a longtime executive in the organization, has been named Vice President and General Manager of the property. Meanwhile, Kai Speth has been named Vice President of Hospitality, and chef Daniel Ye has joined the organization as the property’s Executive Chef.
— Durango Casino & Resort (@durangoresortlv) December 8, 2022 Horn holds over two decades of experience at Station Casinos, starting as a front desk agent and then moving into management positions across all operational facets of the business, including leading the company’s next ground-up construction project with Durango. Horn’s appointment marks his second turn as a general manager in the organization following his stewardship of Palace Station.
With Durango currently in development, Horn is set to oversee all phases of the pre-opening and day-to-day processes, including gaming, hotel operations, marketing and branding, partner relations, recruitment, and sales.
“A highly involved leader, Horn is recognized for his team member relationships and knowledge of the gaming and hospitality industries, having spent time working across multiple departments and developing an expert-level understanding of casino operations, gaming analysis, player evaluation, and team member development, among other highlights,” the company noted.
Additionally, Speth has joined Station Casinos as Vice President of Hospitality at Durango Casino and Resort. Speth has more than 30 years of experience leading globally recognized hotels and restaurants across the United States, Europe, and Asia.
Before joining the organization, he oversaw operations in Ho Chi Minh City for multiple properties, including The Reverie Saigon, a luxury hotel consistently named one of the top hotels in the world. Speth has also spent time with highly-regarded hotel brands including Park Hyatt, Sofitel, Grand Hyatt, and Four Seasons among others.
In his role at Durango, Speth will oversee multiple operations at Durango Casino and Resort, including hotel operations, food and beverage, resort amenities, guest experience, luxury suites, and the front office.
Chef Daniel Ye
Lastly, Daniel “Danny” Ye is joining Station Casinos as Executive Chef of Durango Casino and Resort. Chef Ye is an internationally recognized chef with a career spanning stints from New York City to Spain, with roles at many of the world’s leading hospitality companies.
Before joining the organization, Ye was the Corporate Executive Chef for CATCH Hospitality Group, overseeing the company’s United States and Mexico west coast operations. He also served as executive chef of CATCH LA and was involved in the brand’s expansion and recruiting efforts in the Las Vegas, New York, and Aspen markets.
Ye has also held roles as Corporate Head Chef for 6 Avenue Inc, Corporate Executive Chef for Notar Hospitality in NYC; as well as Executive Chef and Corporate Liaison for Nobu Restaurants across the globe. Ye will oversee all culinary operations at Durango Casino and Resort, including the property’s food and beverage outlets and banquet services.
The new $750 million venue will feature a 200-room hotel tower and an 83,000-square-foot casino. Gaming options are set to include about 2,000 slot machines and 46 table games. The project will be set on 71 acres at Durango Drive and the 215 Southern Beltway at 6903 S. Durango Drive. The resort will also include convention and entertainment space, restaurants, a pool, and a sportsbook.