Twin River’s Ward gets Women of Gaming award

The more  diverse your job duties range, the more valuable you are to your company.
The more diverse your job duties range, the more valuable you are to your company.

Kim Ward, director of public and community affairs at Twin River Casino, was recently honored as one of five proven leaders during the annual Great Women of Gaming Awards for Casino Enterprise Management Magazine. Over the past 16 years at Twin River, Ward has served on the design team to repurpose existing space into a table-games area, helped to develop a charitable-giving program and she has represented the casino on a series of issues, from council-zoning-ordinance meetings to passing a table-games referendum. Ward holds a BFA in computer graphics from the University of Massachusetts Amherst.

PBN: You played an instrumental role in transforming the former greyhound racetrack (known as Lincoln Park) into Twin River Casino. Could you describe this transition, as well as the different positions you have had since you began working for the company?
WARD: In 2005, Lincoln Park was purchased by BLB Investors, which had aggressive plans to renovate and redefine the property. By 2007, the once-antiquated greyhound track had evolved into a world-class gaming, dining and entertainment destination. I started at the property over 16 years ago as a part-time receptionist; after a year, I had the opportunity to [head] the graphics department. Given my background, I was integrally involved in the design process during construction. In 2008, the department was outsourced, so I was asked to be the director of public and community affairs.

PBN: What made you choose to work in the gaming industry and what is some advice you have for other women who might be interested in starting a career in this industry?
WARD: Growing up, I had always worked in the hospitality industry, so the gaming industry was an easy transition – lots of energy and excitement in the work environment, with an evolving schedule. The best advice I can give to other women who are interested in joining the gaming industry is to never limit yourself to one job; the more diverse your job duties range, the more valuable you are to your company and peers.

PBN: How did you educate and open-up dialogue in different tiers of the Lincoln community about the importance of allowing table games at Twin River before a referendum successfully passed in 2012?
WARD: Transparency is always the best approach when interacting with the local community. Over the years, we have built a trust factor within the community. When discussing and educating the town of Lincoln, as well as the state on the importance of table games, the information was well-received. We held open-forum meetings at Town Hall, [a] Knights of Columbus and local businesses. Community leaders have encouraged us to maintain an open dialogue – no matter the topic. We may not always agree, but our word is always taken at face value. •

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