By Jacquelynn D. Powers, Photographs: Francis George

on Marrandino is known for being innovative, especially in corporate environments that do not usually reward cutting- edge thinking. However, this creative and hip executive has called the shots at the Rio, Green Valley Ranch and Hard Rock. Now, his latest assignment finds him breathing new life into two older hotels, the Flamingo and Harrah's. As president of both of these properties, Marrandino, 46, faces a daunting task: Can he juggle two demographically divergent cliques—the steadfast customers of yesteryear, who are addicted to the one-armed bandits, and the younger client base, which prefers poker and partying to slots? Marrandino expects to keep both groups happy by hooking up the Flamingo with cool bars, nightclubs and entertainment, while at the same time maintaining that old-school vibe. And if anyone can achieve this balance, it's this savvy, guitar-playing casino boss.

Born in Atlantic City, Marrandino has spent his career immersed in the gaming business—from a stint with Donald Trump to relocating to Las Vegas to launch the Rio. Stops at Station Casinos (under the Fertitta brothers) and the Hard Rock only cemented his reputation as an exec who "gets it." An admitted miscue, a brief move to Wynn Las Vegas (back when it was Le Rêve), led him to Harrah's, where he revitalized its Lake Tahoe property with gusto. And now that Marrandino is back on the Strip, there are high expectations for what he can and will do. Already, he has signed Toni Braxton on as a performer, built bars for Toby Keith and Jeff Beacher, and pumped up the pool scene. He is inspired in his endeavors by the image of Bugsy Siegel, who built the Flamingo 60 years ago: "Bugsy figured this town out and made it one of the coolest places."

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