We are happy to announce the appointment of Tim Kuykendall as the General Manager and Rick Griffin as the Director of Food and Beverage, OYO Hotel & Casino Las Vegas and hereby welcome them both to the OYO Family! Tim and Rick are both seasoned professionals who bring decades of hospitality experience to OYO Hotel & Casino Las Vegas.
Tim Kuykendall brings over 25 years of experience to OYO Hotel & Casino Las Vegas whereby in his last stint he oversaw three Laughlin, NV properties for Golden Entertainment. He has been with the Golden Entertainment family since 2008 and was serving as vice president of The STRAT Casino, Hotel & Tower and multiple director roles, including director of customer excellence and director of operations and special projects. Prior to Golden Entertainment, Kuykendall worked in Laughlin, Nevada and Biloxi, Mississippi for Harrah’s Entertainment from 1994 to 2008. He began his journey in hospitality as a valet attendant at the Ritz Carlton in Phoenix. Tim is an experienced leader and has handed multiple departments and implemented positive change. A San Diego native and a dedicated husband, father and sports fan he loves cheering for the Vegas Golden Knights.
Rick Giffen, on the other hand, brings 26 years of hotel restaurant culinary experience and has been instrumental in opening over 65 food and beverage concepts nationwide throughout his 35-year career in hospitality. Most recently, Giffen served as the executive chef at T-Mobile Arena. His training began at the Hotel Intercontinental in his native San Diego. He became the youngest executive chef in the Sheraton Hotel family when he took over operations in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. Rick moved to Las Vegas in 1994 and has served in executive chef roles up and down the Las Vegas Strip, including The Stratosphere Casino, Hotel & Tower, China Grill Properties at Mandalay Bay, Mon Ami Gabi at Paris Las Vegas and more. Outside of work, Giffen can be found cooking, golfing, travelling and hiking with his wife Michelle and their two labradoodles, Molly and Snicker. A passionate golfer Giffen is a Los Angeles Chargers fan.
Tim Kuykendall, General Manager OYO Hotel & Casino Las Vegas said, “I am so excited to join the OYO Hotel & Casino Las Vegas and Highgate family, I look forward to continuing to grow my career with Highgate and OYO Hotel & Casino Las Vegas and working side-by-side with such an outstanding and professional team.”
Rick Giffin, Director of Food and Beverage on his new posting said “I am thrilled to bring fun, new concepts to OYO Hotel & Casino Las Vegas,” said Rick Giffen, director of food and beverage. “Together with my outstanding team, I look forward to refreshing the iconic Hooters Restaurant & Saloon while maintaining its status as ‘busiest in the world’!”
Given the track record of Tim and Rick’s professional experience, we can’t wait to explore what these creative duo have in store for the people who visit OYO Hotel & Casino Las Vegas!
