Station Casinos Appoints Top Leadership for Durango Casino & Resort

As Durango Casino and Resort is planned to open in less than a year, Station Casinos LLC announced the appointment of key executives for the luxury resort, which is located in southwest Las Vegas.

David Horn, Kai Speth, and Daniel Ye Will Lead the Team

David Horn, who has served as an executive at Station Casinos during the last two decades, has been appointed as vice president and general manager of the resort. As the Durango resort is still in a process of development, Horn will be in charge of all phases of the pre-opening and will have to supervise the everyday processes, such as gaming, hotel operations, partner relations, marketing, branding, recruitment, and sales.

Kai Speth has been appointed as vice president of hospitality. In this position, Speth will be responsible for multiple operations, such as suites, hotels, food and beverages, front office, guest experience, and other conveniences as well.

Chef Daniel Ye was named executive chef at the property. He will oversee all culinary operations at Durango Casino and Resort, including the food and beverage outlets and banquet services.

Horn’s, Speth’s, and Ye’s Past Experience

Horn has more than 20 years of experience at Station Casinos. Firstly, he worked at the front desk, and then he held several management positions, including vice president and assistant general manager, and corporate vice president of Table Games Station Casinos, LLC. Horn also headed the company’s ground-up construction project with Durango. Prior to this appointment at the Durango resort, he served as a vice president and general manager at Palace Station Hotel and Casino from July 2019 to July 2022, and as director of gaming operations between July 2011 and August 2013.

Horn is well known for his knowledge of the gaming and hospitality sectors and his team-member relationships due to his longtime experience in all departments of the company.

Prior to joining Station Casinos, Kai Speth was in charge of operations in Ho Chi Minh City for multiple properties, including The Reverie Saigon, a luxurious hotel that offers its guests five-star service and accommodations. Speth also held positions at other renowned hotel brands, including Park Hyatt, Sofitel, Grand Hyatt, and Four Seasons.

Chef Ye is a true food connoisseur and a very well-known chef. His experience includes roles from New York City to Spain at one of the world’s leading hospitality companies. Before being appointed as vice president of hospitality at Durango, he served as a corporate executive chef for CATCH Hospitality Group, where he was responsible for the company’s operations in Mexico and the U.S. Ye also was an executive chef of CATCH L.A. and took part in the expansion and recruitment process of the brand in Las Vegas, New York, and Aspen. Ye held positions of executive chef at Notar Hospitality in New York City, and Nobu Restaurants all over the world.