Casino Connection Atlantic City

Comfort Zone

Patrick Rodio Slot shift manager Bally's Atlantic City

by Dave Bontempo

Don't sing that to Patrick Rodio. For 20 years, the Claridge and Bally's supervisor has turned middle management into gold. The Hammonton native owns the satisfaction of reaching executive status, but not the 24-hour stress of upper-management decision-making. It is a safety level he reached by design. Rodio matched fellow employees by eyeing the rungs of the corporate ladder when he entered the casino business in 1981. Unlike many, he knew when to stop and enjoy the view. By age 28, Rodio slammed on the promotion brakes for a good reason—he was happy. Rodio's contentment is rare in a corporate world which advocates promotions for financial sake and change to avoid burnout. He has been a slot technician, slot supervisor and, since 1985, a slot shift manager. Rodio's Claridge career became molded into Bally's Atlantic City, but his responsibilities and outlook have not changed. "I always wanted to be in a mid-level position and I'm glad to still be there," Rodio says. "I did not need to move up more. This is a comfort zone to me. There's an exciting challenge to being part of a growing company and this job allows for a lot of customer interaction. I can walk the floor, talk to the guests, learn about different cultures, and really enjoy the glitz and glamour of this business. It's challenging and very exciting. It's unlike any job I've ever had." Rodio's personable nature fits the mid-level comfort zone. He enjoys the service end of the industry, like walking a customer across the floor to a bathroom rather than giving directions. Rodio implements policy, coaches 25-30 employees per shift and alternates between day and swing shift, but he does not have to worry about budgeting, expenses and profitability of the property. Upper managers do that. Rodio has been more fortunate than most 25-year employees. He has witnessed two revolutions in the industry. One was the elevation of slots to an elite game producing the bulk of casino revenue. The second, cashless machines, changes how the revenue is facilitated. "Slots used to be the stepchild of our business," Rodio says. "It was thrilling to see how it evolved the way it did. Cashless slots have been responsible for a lot of changes. Customers can put bus coupons right into the machines now; they don't have to be in those long lines anymore. The kiosk machines are helpful because the comps become automatic. You don't need as many people to run the floor, so we are allowed to become hosts more. "That's great for me. I love meeting people, seeing what makes them tick. It's also nice to see how people in our company have grown through the years. We're a very tight group here. This is a terrific place to work." Rodio, a magnet of stability, savors that element in his personal life. He grew up in Hammonton and never left, because it satisfies him. Rodio, in turn, supplies a safety net for customers and employees. Besides enjoying industry changes, Rodio survived potential upheaval. When Bally's purchased Claridge four years ago, he faced the inevitable insecurity of a new boss. And he came through it nicely. "Patrick integrated very well into the company," says Joe Marino, the senior slot shift manager for Bally's Atlantic City. "He has done everything we asked. I know it's been difficult at times, with the different shifts and everything, but he has been extremely dedicated and loyal."

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