Career Highlight – Jaque Poirier

I started my career in the gaming industry back in 2000 as a valet attendant at Harrah’s Casino in beautiful Lake Charles, Louisiana. By 2001, I was 21 years old and transferred into the Casino Cage department as a cage supervisor, which opened up new opportunities for me to develop my skills.

Over the years, I had the chance to work in different areas of the casino—moving into slot operations, attending dealer school, and then transferring to table operations. I held various roles along the way, including Table Games Dealer, Slot Supervisor, Slot Performance Manager, Assistant Casino Manager, and Casino Manager. Each step taught me valuable lessons and helped shape my understanding of the industry.

In 2005, a hurricane significantly impacted Lake Charles and destroyed the property I was working at. I then relocated to Black Hawk, Colorado, to join a newly acquired casino operated by Ameristar Casino. Over five years, I was fortunate to work as an Assistant Casino Manager, Casino Manager, and eventually as a director. During that time we went through significant regulation and operational changes and built a 50 story hotel which provided a lot of great learning experiences.

In 2014, I moved to Vicksburg, Mississippi, to serve as Vice President of Casino Operations for Ameristar. Shortly after, the property went through two acquisitions—first with Pinnacle and later when Penn National Gaming.

In June 2017, I was given the opportunity to join Global Casino Operations as a Director, overseeing the operations of casinos for what was once called the Holland America Group, including Princess, Holland America, and Seabourn.  I’ve had many opportunities to learn new things, work with talented colleagues both shoreside and shipboard, and be part of some innovative initiatives.

Today, I serve as an AVP of Casino Operations, working closely with Princess Cruises and now the CUK and AIDA operations teams. One of the things I appreciate most about the casino gaming/ cruise industry is how constantly changing and dynamic it is. The complexity can be challenging, but it also keeps things interesting and helps us grow. I truly enjoy seeing our team members recognized for their hard work and knowing that our leaders value growth, development, and entrepreneurship.

Looking back, some of my most memorable moments in my career include being featured on a 20/20 episode , when I was able to prevent a drunk driver from getting on the road—an experience I won’t forget (I might not be here if I didn’t do the right thing). Another special memory is my first sailing with the Global Gaming team on the Zaandam in Alaska. I stayed in a crew cabin just outside the laundry room—probably the darkest sleep I’ve ever had, but also one of the best.  Later on that same cruise sitting in the crow’s nest at sunrise, watching whales breach the water, made me realize I may have just won the lottery for the best gig ever!

I’m truly blessed to work with an amazing group of people in all areas and functions and we, as Marty always says, we are the “Best in the Biz.”