Meet the Herd
Two hundred and sixty people keep the Lucky Llama running. Every month we corner one of them and ask nosy questions. Here are a few of our favorites.
Chuck Wagner
Executive Chef, Wagon Wheel Steakhouse, 6 years with the herd
Chuck came to us from a steakhouse in Rapid City and brought the prime rib recipe with him. He will not tell anyone what is in the rub. We have asked. Repeatedly.
- Hometown: Rapid City, South Dakota.
- Fur family: A bulldog named Brisket who is not allowed in the kitchen and knows it.
- First car: A 1978 Ford pickup he called Gravy. He still has it.
- Fun fact: Has never once eaten at Mama Llama's Cafe. Says it is a matter of principle.
Roxie Rollins
Senior VIP Casino Host, 11 years with the herd
If you have ever been upgraded to a suite you did not pay for, you probably have Roxie to thank. Our high rollers love her, our front desk fears her, and she has never once forgotten a name.
- Hometown: Spearfish, South Dakota. She grew up on the family farm and says she had a whole childhood's worth of critters out there.
- Fur family: A dog named Blackjack and a cat named Keno.
- Favorite part of the job: "Talking. Is that an answer? I could talk to a fence post."
- Fun fact: Ask her about growing up on the farm and clear your afternoon.
Belle Hopper
Bell Captain, 19 years with the herd
Belle has carried more luggage up our front steps than anyone alive and has opinions about every piece of it. She also drives the parade float, the airport shuttle, and, on one memorable occasion, a guest's motorcycle out of the elevator.
- Hometown: Lead, South Dakota. She will remind you it is pronounced "leed."
- Fur family: None. A parrot named Jackpot who knows eleven words, nine of them unprintable.
- High school mascot: The Golddiggers. "You cannot make this stuff up."
- Fun fact: Has a tip jar from 2006 that she has never emptied.
Jack Potts
Slot Floor Supervisor, 8 years with the herd
Yes, that is his real name. No, he has never hit one. Jack keeps three hundred machines spinning and can tell which one is about to jam by the sound it makes from across the room.
- Hometown: Sturgis, South Dakota.
- Fur family: A cat named Cherry and two more cats also named Cherry.
- Favorite sports team: The Minnesota Vikings. "I work in a casino, I am used to losing."
- Fun fact: Restores antique slot machines in his garage. He owns fourteen and none of them pay out either.
Join the Herd
We are always looking for friendly people who can stay awake. Current openings include table games dealers, a night shift line cook, and someone brave enough to dust the llama statue. Applications are accepted in person at the Rewards desk, any day, any hour.