We are pleased to introduce Lisel Westlake as our feature member in this post. Lisel was the recipient of the Safety and Security Employee of the Year at the prestigious Stars of the Industry Hospitality Awards Gala hosted by NHLA. We asked Lisel to tell us about her impressive career.
I began with my career with MGM Resorts International in August 2008 as a part time Security Officer at Bellagio, moving over to Project City Center in the final stage of construction as a Security Lead. While on the site, I would look up at the beautiful structures and wonder what my role would be in the company’s future and be filled with excitement at the possibilities. I had no idea about the amazing ride I was already on.
Lisel on the opening team of Aria
Speaking of excitement, I had the privilege of opening the ARIA Resort and Casino as a Security Supervisor in December 2009 with a remarkable team, it was an experience I will never forget. I became a Diversity Champion and was selected to participate in the company’s first Essentials of Management Leadership program.
Promotions and Achievements
I was promoted to Security Training Supervisor in 2011, overseeing the hiring process, managing our Career Talent System (CTS), compliance and OSHA training. I rebuilt our new hire academy and assisted with the development of our department TIER training. Our company launched the TIER program as a means of merit increase for Security personnel throughout the organization. The ARIA Security Departments TIER program was selected this year as a “best practices” model throughout the company.
I was promoted to Security Training Manager in 2013 where I continue to develop my vision of taking training to an even higher level through ongoing partnerships with various organizations in our community and offering training for all employees throughout our company. (Metropolitan Police Department, Clark County Fire Department, Federal Emergency Management Agency and Homeland Security). I was invited to participate in the Summit to Excellence Leadership program (Director Level and above) graduating and completing the honors track.
ARIA recently held an all-day Human Trafficking seminar, the first of its kind for Security personnel and other departments throughout our company. It was a huge success. Signage was placed in our processing rooms to assist with getting the Human Trafficking helpline number out and it has become a corporate imitative now.
Ultimate in work ethics and extensive training
I continue to seize every opportunity I can to learn, develop and become the best person I can be, leader I can become and an exceptional example of MGMRI and other organizations I partner with. My strong work ethic comes from my mother’s genes, just ask her. I watched a single mother raise four of us alone while getting her education and creating a career she still works in today.
Strong support and leadership is the key to success
My career journey and its success are paved with the never waiving support from my VP Stephen Koenig. His leadership of his team and department is something I have never experienced and continue to learn and benefit from every day. Every manager I have had, every mentor I have followed and every experience I’ve shared continues to ignite my enthusiasm, passion and dedication to this amazing organization I am part of, community I live in and family I come home to every night.
Some of the Training I have received and completed:
CPR / AED Heartsaver Instructor
Progressive Force Handcuff and Self Defense Instructor
Monadnock Defensive Tactics Systems Instructor 2010
Front Sight Fire Arms Training Two Day Defensive Handgun Course
LVMPD Electric Daisy Narcotic Training
MGM Resorts Essentials of Management Academy
MGM Resorts Employee Volunteer Program
Diversity Champion Class 454 Hard to the Core
Improvised Explosive Device (IED) Counter Terrorism Workshop
IRS Casino Symposium Training
Annual City Center Site Assessment Training AED/CPR First Aid
Herding Cats: How to Become a Successful People Manager Training Webinar
Behavioral Observation and Suspicious Activity Recognition Course / LVMPD – Southern Nevada Counter Terrorism Analysis Group
TLO/FLO Training with Metro (Terrorism Liaison Officer)
Introduction to Incident Command System, ICS-100 FEMA online training
Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents, ICS-200 FEMA online training
Federal Emergency Management Training, ICS 300 LVMPD
National Incident Management System, ICS 400 LVMPD
Nightclub Security Awareness Seminar LVMPD
Michael Jordan Golf Tournament 2011, 2012, 2013
MGM Resorts Annual Corporate Fraud Awareness Training
Terrorism Investigations Law Seminar LVMPD
Active Shooter LVMPD