The Palms, situated on Flamingo Road near Valley View Boulevard, has announced Stephen Thayer as its new general manager, succeeding Cynthia Kiser Murphey who resigned in June. Thayer, the former general manager of the Strat, expressed his excitement in an interview with the Review-Journal stating, “The Palms has a tremendous history in Las Vegas and is really one that’s a staple here. It’s long been on my list of properties that I’d like to work for.”
Thayer is set to assume his new role on September 16, as confirmed by officials from the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians, the tribe behind the property’s operating entity. Chairperson Latisha Prieto of SMGHA expressed their enthusiasm for Thayer joining the Palms, stating, “His leadership style and professional accomplishments speak volumes about his ability to lead and innovate and his enthusiasm for activating on our tribal values at Palms make him the ideal candidate to guide this wonderful property into the next chapter.”
The San Manuel Band of Mission Indians, who also manage the Yaamava’ resort-casino in Southern California, acquired Palms in 2021 from Red Rock Resorts for $650 million, marking them as the first Native American casino owners and operators in Las Vegas. After being closed for two years during the COVID-19 pandemic, the 22-year-old resort reopened in April 2022, less than a year after the acquisition.
Thayer, with previous experience at Caesars Entertainment and the Strat, envisions a future for Palms that focuses more on gaming. Emphasizing its ties to Southern California through its player database at Yaamava’, the property recently formed a partnership with Bally Rewards, offering an alternative to former Tropicana guests after its closure in April.
In addition to targeting Southern California customers, Thayer aims to attract locals with the Palms’ free parking, on-site movie theater, and diverse dining options. “There’s a really strong destination for locals and I think that’s a big part of what we’ll continue to see for the future as well,” he noted.
For more information, reach out to McKenna Ross at mross@reviewjournal.com or follow @mckenna_ross_ on X.
