Page 7 - BusinessWest March 18, 2024

Detroit-based law firm he was with, Butzel Long, getting a taste, as he put it, of operating a large business.
“This was an $80 million to $90 million law firm at that time, and now, it’s much bigger,” he noted. “I really like operations, and I always have.”
Indeed, he said that, from the days he would bus tables for some of the Greek restaurant owners in town who counted his parents as their accountants, he’s always had a fascination for the operational side of companies and knowing and understanding every facet of a business.
And this fascination continued with MGM’s Detroit casino, he said, adding that he chose to stick his nose, as he put it, in places generally not frequented by in-house lawyers.
“I was very deliberate in educating myself about all aspects of a casino during my eight-plus years in Detroit,” he told BusinessWest. “I spent a lot of time socializing, whether it was having a cup of cof- fee with someone from table games or the slots department. And the food and beverage leader and VP of Hospitality were right next door to my office, so I spent a lot of time talking about that aspect of the business.”
And many others as well, he went on, adding that, as he acquired this broad base of knowledge, he arrived at a place where he believed himself ready to lead his own casino. He applied for such a role at MGM’s Ohio facility, and while he didn’t get the job, he said he certainly sharpened his teeth through the lengthy interview pro- cess and then “did some more learning.”
And when Kelley, with whom he worked at MGM’s Detroit casi- no, announced he was leaving his role in Springfield late last year, Theros applied again, and this time won the position. It’s a role, and a challenge, that he embraces.
“People have put their trust in me to lead this organization and lead this property into the future, and I really feel privileged to do this,” he said. “I would most likely have run my law firm if I had stayed there, if I had not come to MGM — I was one of the top two or three people running the firm when I was there — and I’ve always felt the desire to lead some organization, and when I got to MGM and learned the business and got more involved in it, a few
years in, I said to myself, ‘I know I can do this.’ I’m honored that they picked me to do this.”
Betting on Himself
When asked to informally write his own job description for the president and COO of MGM Springfield, Theros said there are two sides to that equation — internal and external.
With the former, he said his job is to set a positive tone for the staff, something he believes comes naturally. “I’ve always been a ‘set a positive tone at the top’ person,” he said. “And I would never ask my employees to do something I would not do, and I expect my leaders to set that same tone.
“And I want people to feel, as I do, that this is an absolutely fan- tastic place to work — I love coming to work every day,” he went on. “So, my job is to come in, make sure our employees like coming here and treat everyone with respect, and make sure they have an opportunity, much like I’ve had, to move up in the company.”
On the external side of the equation, he said his job description involves creating an experience for the guest and prompting them to put MGM Springfield top of mind when it comes to gatherings and ways to celebrate occasions and milestones in their lives — or just or a random Saturday evening.
“When they’re thinking of a special event — an anniversary, a birthday party, whatever it is — we want them thinking, ‘we should go to MGM Springfield because it’s a wonderful place to go, we get great service, and we could get great food.’ My job is to deliver that.”
Theros said it’s also his job to get involved in the community, and to inspire others to get involved as well.
Overall, he’s encouraged by what he sees, both at his casino and in the community, citing everything from apparent progress on the properties across Main Street, including the Clocktower Building and the Colonial Block, and the rapid leasing of the apartments
in the revitalized former Court Square Hotel (a project MGM has taken part in), which is
a source of pride but
also some frustration MGM
“At 31 Elm, they have 74 units; they rented them all in 30 days. I couldn’t find a place, even across the street. That’s fantastic; that shows me that the city and the surrounding area is really robust.”
Continued on page 40
>>
What’s Next
Ap
ril 1st
• Allergies & Asthma • Auto Sales
• Cannabis
• Sports & Leisure
• Women in Business
• Professional Development Series • Community Spotlight: Palmer
Ad Space Deadline: March 15th
Reserve Your Ad Space Today! 413.781.8600
Morgan Stanley is proud to congratulate
John Pappas
Named one of Forbes’ Top Next-Gen Wealth Advisors Best-In-State
Being recognized as a top wealth advisor on this prestigious industry list is a testament to your experience and dedication to your clients’ financial future.
Thank you for the work you do each day to deliver the Morgan Stanley Client Experience® and for carrying forward the high standard of excellence at our firm.
John Pappas CFP®
Family Wealth Advisor Senior Vice President Financial Advisor
1500 Main St Tower Square | Springfield, MA 01115
413-736-1135 • [email protected]
advisor.morganstanley.com/pappas-willcutts-group NMLS #2051484
CFP Board owns the marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERTM, and CFP® (with plaque design) in the U.S.
Forbes America’s Top Next-Gen Wealth Advisors & Top Next-Gen Wealth Advisors Best-in-State
Source: Forbes.com (Awarded Aug 2023) Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based on time period from 3/31/22 - 3/31/23.
Please scan QR code for more information on award methodology and criteria.
© 2024 Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC. Member SIPC. CRC 5808488 08/23 REC007 CS 1051314-4207182 02/24
BusinessWest
<< FEATURE >>
MECH
MARCH 18, 2024 7
CREATIVE STUDIO
TMPL:
7207883-WM_TMPL-RS_Product-LTR m4
PROJ. NO.: JOB NAME:
1051314_4207182
WM LOCAL ADVERTISING Template Update
TRIM SIZE: FINISHED SIZE: BLEED: POST-PROD.:
JOB INFORMATION
SPECIFICATIONS
4.5" x 5.8" 4.5” x 5.8” 0.125"
NOTES
DESCRIPTION: 4.5x5.8 Ad