Nick Birdsong is a proud member of the Seneca-Cayuga Nation and has lived in and around Grove, Oklahoma his entire life.  He began his casino career as a slot attendant in 2010. From there, he would work his way through a number of positions within the casino, continuing to grow his operations and leadership skills with each opportunity. Though frequently younger than his colleagues, Nick exhibited a fierce determination to work hard and learn the industry.  This world-class approach to learning led to a number of promotions, from slot attendant to slot technician, and then into cross-functional leadership roles.

Nick realized early on that he could maximize his impact and value if he knew not just one, but all the various departments involved with the casino.  This way, he could develop deep knowledge of the integrated casino operation rather than a single process or delivery. This strategy eventually led him to assume the role of Slot Performance Manager with subsequent promotions to Operations Manager and eventually into the role of Assistant General Manager.  Birdsong shared about his journey: “I realized I could do more, and wanted more responsibility… I wanted to be as accountable as possible for the performance of our property.”  

Nick’s experience at various levels of so many departments unequally prepared him for senior leadership.  Coming through the ranks, he recorded his observations and had clear ideas about the changes he would implement once provided the opportunity.  Unsure of whether or not he would be selected for the job of Assistant General Manager, Nick approached his interview the same way he tackles every day...by applying his knowledge he had spent years acquiring.  He fearlessly pursued the position and he was clearly the ideal candidate for the position. 

When asked what advice he’d give to current students in high school or college, Birdsong shared: “Never be afraid of working hard and never be afraid to fall completely into your work and enjoy it. Many people in high school don’t fully appreciate a job and what it means at the time. Keep going above and beyond, put in the effort and the time and you will find success.” A message that Birdsong lives out every day.

Nick has made significant contributions in his current role: “I am really proud of the supervisory, management and front-line teams we have put together. We’ve ensured management is working fairly and is fully transparent.” He also shared about a recent project to develop a new floor layout while making all the bases and chairs uniform: “We will be refreshing the floor for our guests, making it more comfortable with premium design. If we do this right, it will directly affect the quality of our guest experience and have a positive impact on our property revenues.  This is an example of one of the ways we can give back to the Nation and make every member proud of what we are doing.”

Birdsong is an example of going above and beyond, recognizing it may take a while to get where you want to be, but commitment and effort are always at the heart of the matter.  Nick is a bold leader who is not afraid to think bigger. In his words: “Don’t be defeated by small setbacks, keep your goals in mind and persevere, regardless of what obstacles may come.”