Akwesasne Mohawk Casino hires new IT director

Submitted by the AMC

The Akwesasne Mohawk Casino is pleased to announce that Marvin Phillips has been hired as the new Director of Information Technology for the gaming establishment.

Phillips was hired as an IT intern in May 2002 and worked in every aspect of the IT Department during the long hot summers and during every break while attending college at SUNY Morrisville.

“I found that the skills and technologies I had to learn in college such as cabling, routing, server installation and project management definitely helped me when I came back home to work,” Phillips said. “I was able to apply it immediately to the casino. I even took Human Resource courses to help me (with) dealing with co-workers and guests so I feel it was an advantage that not many people (have). It was really a powerful learning experience for me”.

In 2005, Marvin graduated with honors from SUNY Morrisville and came home to begin his career in the casino world. He was promoted upon his return to Technical Support Manager and for the first time had a staff of associates to supervise.

“I think that in the beginning there were a lot of hurdles because I was always viewed as the intern,” he said.

It really sunk in about his career after the summer of his graduation when fall came and he did not need to make the trek to school again. Along with his new promotion, Phillips also joined the Hogansburg/ Akwesasne Volunteer Fire Department. When asked why he joined the HAVFD, Phillips stated “I wanted to help people. I help people all the time as an IT person so it seemed like a natural fit to join the fire department so I can help people not only at the casino, but in the community as well”.

The question was asked of Phillips how the Akwesasne Mohawk Casino has grown over the years.

“I’ve seen new technologies grow immensely in the past 8 years,” he said.

To work at the Akwesasne Mohawk Casino is to know that change is always apparent. It is a vital and all too essential trademark of the casino to change with the times and the IT Department is well aware of the growth and advancements needed to stay successful.

“We have already installed some of the latest technologies such as server based gaming, IP telephony and server virtualization – basically we are always advancing to ensure the guests have fun and our ultimate goal is to make the Akwesasne Mohawk Casino one the premiere destinations in the country, not just the Northeast,” Phillips said.

Humble by nature, Phillips attributes much of his success to the fact that he is a “continual learner”. In an ever-evolving industry, he states that the casino’s IT advancement are a key contributor to the overall success of the property.

“We are on the leading edge of a lot of technologies that promote guest services and generate revenue for tribal programs,” he said.

Phillips exudes pride in knowing that he had a piece of the growth of the casino’s success and although the average guest may not see the changes made behind closed doors, the overall satisfaction comes from seeing smiling faces on the floor.

Phillips said, “I have accepted this job as Director of IT with a tremendous sense of pride and accomplishment. It is an honor and I realize the pressures involved but I look forward to any challenge that will be thrown my way”.

He added, “I owe a lot of my success to Morrisville State College; their hands on degree programs and the knowledgeable professors that continually challenge you and force you to apply what you learn in the real world”.  Phillips also wanted to thank his parents and family for encouraging him in his pursuits of higher education.

The casino team couldn’t be more excited with Phillips’ promotion to the Director of IT position. He has proven himself over his years of service, as a hands-on manager who truly understands the intricacies of the computer environment.

Phillips’ dedication to the community and the casino are second to none, said Patrick Bassney, Akwesasne Mohawk Casino General Manager.