Four Winds Strong

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When Mary Smith assumed the mantle of chief operating officer for the Four Winds Casinos in February, she represented the first female executive to serve in that position. But more than that honor, Smith views her membership as a citizen of the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi as even more of a touchpoint during her rise from financial analyst in 2007 to COO today.

“The development of our first casino resort, Four Winds New Buffalo, was pivotal in my desire to pursue a career in the casino industry,” says Smith, a graduate of Indiana University of South Bend. “I’ve always had a keen interest in the economic development of our tribal nation.”

Since joining the Four Winds at its inception in 2007, Smith rose from analyst to assistant property shift manager, director of hotel operations, vice president of hotel operations, senior vice president of hotel operations and development, and executive vice president of casino operations, to COO.

“This variety of positions enabled me to learn virtually every aspect of the business, from front-of-house to back-of-house,” Smith says.

Rebecca Richards, tribal council chairwoman of the Pokagon Band and CEO of the Pokagon Gaming Authority, says of Smith, “Her knowledge and diverse experience with the inner workings of our organization will provide her with the necessary perspective and insight to lead Four Winds Casinos into the future.”

Smith also credits former Atlantic City casino executive Frank Freedman for his guidance on her rise to prominence. Freedman, who served as COO of Four Winds Casinos for eight years of his 16-year career, played an important role in her development as an executive, and worked closely with her.

“He helped me reach many major milestones, including the recent expansion of Four Winds South Bend, which includes a 317-room hotel tower, Ribbon Town Conference and Event Center, Cedar Spa, and Edgewater Café,” Smith says.

“Not only was he instrumental in establishing and mentoring our executive leadership team, but he also helped shape our collaborative company culture. His confidence in my abilities provided me with an opportunity to learn quickly through my oversight of multiple aspects of our operations.”