Gaming is exploding, with casino permits appearing faster than you can say "Craps!" (Or whatever you say in that game. We never could follow.) St. John Properties has named Tina Berzins to lead its new gaming division, and she'd like to add two to three casinos to its portfolio within five years. Right now, it plans to expand on its two casino investments: Reserve Casino and Hotel in Central City, Colo. (acquired 2010) and Boomtown Casino and Hotel in Reno (above, 2012). In May, St. John brought management of those properties in house, and now Tina heads a division that oversees 600 employees on the other side of the country. That number will grow as the company buys more casinos.
It's a promotion 11 years in the making. She joined the company after attending the University of Baltimore on a full academic ride and earning a bachelor's in jurisprudence. At 23, she signed on as office manager with St. John. A year in, she told Ed St. John (with Tina above in '05) that she'd like to do something closer to her degree. So, St. John made her a contract administrator, and from there, Tina worked her way up to director of acquisitions and head of legal. While her job spans the country, her personal life remains intertwined with Baltimore. She married KLNB's Brad Berzin after meeting him on what was each of their first and only blind date; the fairy tale now includes three kids: 5-year-old Maria, 4-year-old Ella, and 18-month-old Hank.
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