Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

40 Under 40 - 2010

Sheila Pankas

Vice president of compliance, human resources and community relations, Golden Gaming Inc.

Sheila Pankas

Sheila Pankas

Age: 37

Current job: Vice president of compliance, human resources and community relations, Golden Gaming Inc.

Education: UNLV, Bachelor of Science in hotel administration

About Sheila Pankas: In 1995, Sheila Pankas was working as a server at T.G.I. Friday’s when her boss introduced her to the president of the route of Southwest Gaming Services (the predecessor of Golden Gaming), who was looking to hire a gaming assistant. Pankas accepted the position, and spent five years in the slot route industry before a short stint with the Gaming Control Board. She also spent four years with IGT and worked for Station Casinos before bringing her collective industry experience to Golden Gaming—Nevada’s largest tavern operator—in 2005.

Pankas is responsible for all aspects of regulatory compliance for the company and its subsidiaries in nine jurisdictions in two states, and was part of a two-person team that completed an RFP for the Kansas Racing and Gaming Commission to bid on a casino project with a proposed investment of $600 million. Pankas is also responsible for ensuring that more than 250 licenses are maintained in good standing, and handles human resources for some 1,500 employees.

In her community relations role, she has facilitated relationships with numerous organizations, including Opportunity Village: As a result of her efforts, Golden Gaming was the 2009 presenting sponsor for the Las Vegas Great Santa Run, for which the company raised $20,000.

“We had 8,886 santas in the run, and 2,000 of them were wearing yellow antlers that said PT’s on them,” she said.

The most important issue facing the valley: Our schools and education as far as lack of funding and more cuts even in school hours. Nevada is so far behind in education and our children are our future.

My mentor and why: My first real boss, who taught me the basic skills to survive in the corporate world that have helped get me to where I am today.

Favorite Web site: www.msn.com

Hobbies: Camping, boating, hiking and spin class

Fantasy job: I already have my dream job, but if I’m forced to give an answer, a job that allows me to work for myself, take two months off a year and attend all my kids’ school functions.

One-word description of self: Ambitious

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