Kevin Thorstenson Named VPHO Thunder Valley Casino
Hotel Scheduled to Open Summer of 2010 Near Sacramento
LINCOLN, CA, July 16, 2009 - Thunder Valley Casino announced today that Kevin Thorstenson, an industry leader in hotel management, has been named to the newly created position of vice president of hotel operations. Construction is currently taking place on Thunder Valley's 400-room hotel and spa which is expected to be completed next summer.
"There are so many new avenues opening up for Thunder Valley with the launch of the expanded resort and I look forward to working with our management team and the employees we will be hiring to continue the tradition of making Thunder Valley a place where patrons want to stay and play," said Thorstenson.
Thorstenson's 22 years of experience in the hospitality industry and hotel management includes time at resorts in Las Vegas and San Diego.
Thorstenson was executive vice president and general manager of Hotel Park City Golf Resort and Spa from 2002 to 2008, which Conde Nast Traveler rated the 11th Best Place to Stay and Ski in North America in 2007 and is a member of Leading Hotels of the World, which identifies hotels where exceptional services is the norm rather than the exception.
Thorstenson was responsible for the resort's opening and created its AAA Five Diamond Standard training program. He also convinced Ruth's Chris Steakhouse to call Hotel Park City home and oversaw the design and construction of the Spa at Hotel Park City.
Thorstenson has also held executive positions at the Handlery Hotel and Resort in San Diego, the Hilton Waterfront Beach Resort in Huntington Beach, Calif. and Key Largo Casino in Las Vegas. He is also fluent in Japanese and spent two years living abroad in Japan.
"Kevin brings with him a wealth of experience and a commitment to service in managing some of the country's most prestigious resorts," said Thunder Valley General Manager Richard St. Jean. "Having Kevin on our team will give us a head start as we build the premier hotel and resort in Northern California."
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