From the Magic Kingdom to the Wonder of It All, Foxwoods VP of Human Resources’ Steve Heise has been on a career magic carpet ride with corporate stops at the Wyndham Hotels, G.E., and the Tropicana, too.
At the Walt Disney Company, Steve delivered training for corporate bench marking seminars to 50,000 professionals from around the world. He ranked in the 95th percentile of all 4,500 leaders there, and was rated a “Partner in Excellence”, by being in the top 3% of quality performance.
No matter where he has journeyed, he’s always brought along his core beliefs in the equality and inclusion. At Foxwoods, Steve has worked closely with CABO to implement changes like adding LGBT language to the employment policy, including LGBT certified businesses as a part of their diversity supplier program, and integrating LGBT content into their team member training.
CABO President Dena Castricone describes Steve as being central to the Foxwoods/CABO relationship and she couldn’t be more pleased that North America’s largest resort casino is now one of our Cornerstone Partners. “He was there at the first meeting between the two and continues to support and build the relationship. Both Foxwoods and CABO are better organizations because of Steve."
At this year’s anniversary expo, Steve was presented CABO’s first corporate leader award. We had a chance to catch up with him recently.
When CABO founding member and attorney Glen Pierson introduced you are the awards, he said that you were “an essential partner and friend to our organization.” Congratulations on this well deserved award.
It was a great honor recognizing what we did as a team at Foxwoods in getting it all approved and up and working. It shows we followed the excellent coaching from the CABO leaders to achieve the success.
You have been a leader at many well known companies, including an impressive 20 year career at the Walt Disney Company. What was it like to be a part of their groundbreaking LGBT HR work?
We worked hard at Disney in Florida to support LGBT rights while being applauded by some as well as criticized by the conservatives. But the best companies recognize that celebrating diversity and inclusion is the best business practice for both staff members and patrons.
Why is LGBT inclusion and equality important not only to guests, but team members as well? It is about treating all human beings equally.
It is basic human dignity.
Your leadership training is sizable. How about a little free advice; what advice would you give someone starting their own small business?
Set your mission, vision and values up front. Recruit staff that identify with it and are aligned with the mission, vision and values. Pay attention to details ahead of time, and work to exceed your patrons’ expectations.
Those at the CABO anniversary event heard you speak of your wife. Tell us a bit about her.
Carrie is a wonderful person that has a zest for life. She also has a Gallup strength called WOO – winning others over, which is unique and makes her loved by all, including me.
Tell us a bit about your life off the clock. What are your passions and interests?
We enjoy a little bit of golf, tennis, kayaking and theater. I recently joined the Board of the Granite Theatre in Westerly to support that great theater program.
For those CABO members who haven’t checked out Foxwoods, what would you say to them?
Come and play at the largest Casino Resort in North America. We have gaming, dining, retail, spa, entertainment and golf for all to enjoy, round the clock.
Anything else you'd like to say?
I hope CABO continues to grow and be a role model for other chambers around the country. I am glad that they got the national acclaim they deserved this year.
Is there a CABO member you’d like to see featured in an upcoming CABOgraphy? Email Dan Weaver at dan@barmontproductions.com.
