By JOSH RESNEK
The president of Encore Boston Harbor has apparently been named a vice-president of Wynn Resorts and will be leaving the Encore in Everett for the company’s home base in Las Vegas.
Brian Gullbrants, who has been near the top of the management ladder at Wynn for about 13 years, has headed up Encore Boston Harbor since replacing Robert DeSalvio in October 2019.
Gullbrants opened the noted Encore Casino and Hotel in 2008 in Las Vegas.
Wynn officials did not respond to the Leader Herald for confirmation of the change reported to us by sources familiar with the goings-on at Encore Boston Harbor.
Gullbrants is being replaced by Wynn Resorts Executive VP of Operations at the Encore Boston Harbor Jennifer Holaday, according to the source.
Holaday will be the third leader of the Encore Boston Harbor since its opening in June 2019.
She inherits a business that was beset by the restrictions placed upon it by the pandemic, and she will take over leadership at a time when the casino and hotel are just beginning to flex their muscles again.
During the weekday business has remained sluggish and slow while weekends have picked up dramatically since the lessening of restrictions announced by the state and approved by the Massachusetts Gaming Commission two weeks ago.
Revenues have increased for the past two months and appear to be on an upward trajectory.
The hotel remains a concern as tourism into Boston has not yet recovered.
Also, the business environment remains uncertain with conventions not having much of an impact on the casino and hotel.
Holaday will be the point person to deal with the big comeback expected to take place in the second half of this year and carry over into 2022.
At some point, it is believed she will be the key to the return of poker tables at the casino. She will be required to deal with the persistent arrests and outbreaks of violence at the casino which has been persistent since its opening.
Despite a strong security and police presence, efforts to eliminate fights, overdoses, and arrests have been unsuccessful.
Casino analysts claim that is part of the casino business – a small part – but a part, nevertheless.