HOLLYWOOD, Fla. (November 7, 2018) – Seminole Gaming today announced new executive leaders at three of its Florida casinos, including Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa, Seminole Casino Coconut Creek and Seminole Classic Casino in Hollywood.
Steve Bonner has been named President of Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa, replacing Joe Lupo, who was recently named property president of Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City. Bonner was President of Seminole Casino Coconut Creek in north Broward County, Fla.
Larry Buck has been named President of Seminole Casino Coconut Creek, he was General Manager of Seminole Classic Casino in Hollywood, Fla.
Edward Aguilar has been named General Manager of Seminole Classic Casino in Hollywood, Fla. He is among the highest ranking Seminole Gaming executives who are also members of the Seminole Tribe of Florida. Aguilar was assistant general manager/vice president for Seminole Casino Hotel Immokalee.
The announcement was made by James F. Allen, CEO of Seminole Gaming, which operates all three casinos for the Seminole Tribe of Florida.
“It’s gratifying to promote from within our organization, because of the extraordinary accomplishments of these three individuals,” said Allen. “We want to acknowledge their hard work and the results they have achieved, as we support them in their new positions.”
More about Steve Bonner
Bonner has headed Seminole Casino Coconut Creek in Broward County since 2002. During that time, he has been responsible for managing the evolution of what was a small gaming facility into a major South Florida casino, dining and entertainment destination, with nearly 2,000 slot machines, five restaurants and the 1,200-seat Pavilion event center for concert and comedy performances.
Bonner has a knack for identifying creative casino publicity, marketing and promotional opportunities. He has three decades of gaming industry executive experience, including previous positions with Black Hawk Gaming & Development Company in Black Hawk, Colo., and Hemmeter Enterprises in Denver, Colo.
He holds a bachelor of science degree in business administration from Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas.
More about Larry Buck
Buck has been general manager of Seminole Classic Casino in Hollywood, Fla., since 2012. Under his leadership, the full-service casino has undergone significant improvements and continued its track record of success in catering to South Florida casino players.
Buck is most proud of his ongoing community support of the American Cancer Society, including the organization’s annual “Making Strides Against Breast Cancer” walk, which has attracted more than 150 team members from Seminole Classic Casino.
Buck’s career progression has included positions with Caesars Entertainment, Pinnacle Entertainment and Players International. He began his gaming career in 1982 in Atlantic City, where he held multiple positions at Harrah’s Atlantic City.
He is a graduate of Syracuse University with a bachelor of science degree in accounting.
More about Edward Aguilar
Aguilar previously held the position of assistant general manager/vice president for Seminole Casino Hotel Immokalee, east of Naples, Fla. He is an enrolled member of the Seminole Tribe of Florida and is one of the highest-ranking Tribal members in Seminole Gaming management. He joined the Tribal Career Development Program in February, 2013, and excelled through its cross-training opportunities at Seminole Gaming operations.
In May, 2015, Aguilar was named Assistant Director of Slot Operations for Seminole Casino Hotel Immokalee. He was promoted to Assistant Director of Casino Operations in February, 2016.
Aguilar began his gaming career in 2001 as a lead Seminole Gaming Commission Officer at Seminole Casino Immokalee. During his time with the Seminole Gaming Commission, he assisted with the openings of Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood and Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa.
In 2006, Aguilar was promoted to Assistant Compliance Officer at Seminole Casino Immokalee. He later worked for several years at the Immokalee office of the Seminole Tribe of Florida, Inc., the non-gaming business development arm of the Tribe.
Aguilar earned an associate degree in Culinary Arts from the Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale in 2013.
