Pechanga recently participated in a Team Member survey which was conducted by HR Solutions. Based on the results Pechanga was awarded the BEST in Class Seal for our benefit plans (such as medical, dental, 401k and reward programs). Pechanga beat companies such as:
• Wynn
• Boyd Gaming
• Horseshoe
• Disney
• American Airlines
• McDonalds
• MTV
• Nike
Pechanga always strives to be the best in the industry and this is a great indicator of how much Pechanga values its Team Members.
Pechanga Receives Best in Class Seal for Benefits
Q& A with Grant Channing, VP of Hotel Operations
After 36 years in the hotel and hospitality industry, Grant Channing brings innovation and leadership experience to Pechanga, along with love and respect for people, animals and his profession.
Q: What words best describes you?
A: Approachable, direct
Q: What’s your biggest challenge?
A: Getting used to Southern California versus Michigan. The culture change is considerable: pace, traffic, density and size of the population. Plus, in Michigan, you’re only really busy for 3 ½ months out of the year. Here, it’s a more consistent pace with no down period.
Q: What sparked your interest in casino resort leadership?
A: After about 30 years in the hotel industry, I was recruited by Turning Stone Casino Resort in New York, as Director of Hotel Operations. I felt a little trepidation at the prospect of renovating and expanding the hotel facilities for a resort/casino. It’s been exciting ever since.
Q: What was your first job?
A: I worked at a graveyard for 3 summers, digging. Not the graveyard shift, I worked for a cemetery in Winnipeg. My first hotel job was as a bartender. I was pretty terrible at that, but they gave me a try at the front desk, and here I am today.
Q: How did you wind up here?
A: I was invited by the General Manager, Craig Clark, whom I worked with at Turning Stone, to apply for the position.
Q: Was it difficult for you to leave Grand Traverse Resort?
A: It was. I really enjoyed Michigan and the tribe I worked for. They were very gracious about me leaving, though. They even threw me a luncheon! But as hard as it was to leave, I was really excited at the opportunity to come work at Pechanga. In fact, when I told the Tribal Chairman I was coming here, he literally said, “Wow.” Even on the East Coast, Pechanga is known as one of the top 3 resort casinos in the nation.
Q: What has been the most significant moment in your career?
A: That’s tough to pinpoint; I’ve enjoyed the journey, learning constantly. But one highlight I look back on is that every Assistant Manager I have worked with is now a General Manager in the industry. We still keep in touch.
Q: How would you describe your management style or philosophy?
A: To be successful at anything, you need to enjoy what you do. I enjoy managing people. But I take the approach that I’m not an expert; I try to surround myself with capable people, and get out of their way. When necessary, I support and/or direct, but I don’t micromanage. I believe micromanagement diminishes the capacity to perform. People appreciate freedom.
Q: If you couldn’t do what you’re doing now, what would you do?
A: I would like to teach at the university/collegiate level. History and religion.
Q: Best childhood memory:
A: Nothing specific, really. I just loved the era I grew up in, where recreation meant getting outside and giving your all. I played every sport, and the summers seemed to last forever. Even growing up in the Midwest of Canada when it would get 10 below, we loved the freedom to keep playing, and we did.
Q: How do you manage stress?
A: Early in my career when I was in my 20’s, I developed ulcers. So, I learned to turn it on and off. You flip a switch when you go home. Learn to accept that change can take planning, time and effort. I also choose to be very direct instead of internalizing my feelings, or getting upset. Being decisive, facing issues and conflict helps me avoid the stress I see in others who tend to vacillate.
Q: What makes you happiest?
A: Let’s see…I’m happy at work, very happy on a golf course, even though I don’t play well. I love being able to laugh, play with my dogs, and spend time with my daughter, Shaina, in Eastern Canada.
Q: Tell us something that most people don’t know about you:
A: I have a black belt in Karate. Some people think I don’t smile often. I don’t – not on the outside anyway, thanks to a hockey puck. It caught me in the face when I was too busy having fun while not wearing the proper safety equipment.
Q: Best advice you ever received?
A: A District Director in Canada once said, “Don’t try to be something you’re not. Be yourself.” I also like the definition of management as, “Management is getting things done through other people.”
Q: What difference would you like to make?
A: I want to make this Hotel division even better. I’m confident that with the help of good people here, occupancy can get back up into the ninety-percentile. I want to emphasize and improve guest service. I really pay attention to the guest comments and complaints. I see no reason why guests should need to complain if they ask for help and give us a chance to fix a situation. In regards to guest service, we need to recognize a few things:
1. Especially in this economy, we’re asking people to do something they don’t have to – come spend money at our property.
2. The guests we serve are who pay our salary.
3. If we do our jobs properly, our guests will come back.
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