A 33-year-old executive at Green Valley Ranch Station, who has a prominent role in the Discovery Channel reality show, "American Casino," died Tuesday, resort officials said.
Michael John Tata, vice president of hotel operations, "was the heart and soul of Green Valley Ranch's hotel operations," said Joe Hasson, vice president and general manager of Green Valley Ranch.
Tata started as director of hotel operations at the hotel in June 2001 and had been vice president of hotel operations since January.
"Michael was well respected by the entire Green Valley Ranch team and today we all feel like we have lost a member of our family," Hasson said. "The hotel's outstanding performance over the last three years is a direct reflection of Michael's skills and commitment to be the best in his field."
The cause of death had not been determined today. An autopsy was scheduled for this morning, a coroner's office spokeswoman said. Tata was discovered at his home on Tuesday morning and foul play was not believed to be involved.
Tata was part of the team that launched the Discovery Channel's "American Casino," based at Green Valley Ranch. The reality TV show airs at 8 p.m. on Fridays.
Executive Producer Craig Piligian chose Green Valley Ranch Station to take viewers behind the scenes of an operating casino, and Tata has been prominently featured in the show.
Tata is often seen butting heads with his colleagues on "American Casino," but he appeared well liked nontheless.
On the reality show's Web site, Tata says the part about his job he likes the least is "busting people's chops all day, especially people who cannot handle constructive criticism."
The most exciting thing he's experienced professionally, according to the site, is "to be given control of an operation and not have shackles put on me, to be able to execute my vision of guest service and hospitality."
Gina Lateef, corporate public relations manager for Station Casinos, issued a prepared statement:
"Station Casinos and its thousands of team members are deeply saddened by the unexpected death of Michael Tata," Lateef said. "Michael was a valued team member who devoted his three-year career at Green Valley Ranch to ensuring each of our guests received the very best in customer service. He will be sorely missed by all of us."
Born on May 23, 1971, in Buffalo, N.Y., Tata earned a bachelor of science degree in hotel administration from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas in 1996.
Before coming to Las Vegas, Tata worked as a sales representative for US Airways in Buffalo from 1992 through 1993.
In 1993 he moved to Las Vegas and began working at the MGM Grand, serving in several front line and supervisory positions, including hotel reservations and front office until 1996.
From 1996 until 1999 he was hotel assistant manager and housekeeping manager at the Four Seasons in Maui.
From 2000 until 2001 he was front office manager at the Four Seasons in Las Vegas.
archive