Scott Menke

Menke, who oversaw the development of Excalibur and Luxor as part of a more than three-decade career in the industry, died on Monday, according to officials with Paragon Gaming, where he was CEO and co-founder. He was 56. Menke is noted for his vision in transforming distressed properties, including helping Paragon acquire and remodel casinos in California, Nevada and Canada in the early 2000s. Some of the properties include Riviera, Westgate Las Vegas, Hooters, Hard Rock Hotel in Lake Tahoe, Calif., and Edgewater Casino in Vancouver, British Columbia. Menke started in the industry as a college intern in the mid-1980s working for Circus Circus Enterprises under legendary gaming executive William Bennett, his uncle. Menke, after graduating from UNLV, took on management positions at Colorado Belle and Edgewater in Laughlin. Menke was passionate about UNLV, especially the Rebels’ basketball program. He was also part of the UNLV Foundation, the university’s fundraising group. And he remained close to his college classmates. George Maloof went on to have an ownership stake in the Palms and Sacramento Kings. Rob Oseland was formerly president of SLS Las Vegas, worked as the chief operating officer for Paragon, and currently operates playAWARDS, a social gaming app.