Skyline's Kish knows market

      Exploding volcanoes, pyramids, pirate ships and palaces.
      While all these attractions may get tourists to flock to the Las Vegas Strip, John Kish knows it takes more than flash and fanfare to lure locals into area casinos. As president and chief executive officer for the Skyline Casino, Kish has delivered what Henderson residents have sought for more than 20 years.
      "You have to give them value for their shake," Kish said. "Service is very important today. Big is not always better. You're always going to find people who like an easy in, an easy out, with easy parking and friendly service."
      It is that combination that has worked for Kish, even as other Henderson gaming establishments, such as Tom's Sunset Casino, Ligouri's Casino and the Post Office Casino have came and went, while others, such as the Triple J Bingo Hall and Casino and the Alystra Casino, have struggled to stay in existence.
      Kish became part-owner of the Skyline, located at 1741 N. Boulder Highway, in 1975, before assuming total control of the property in 1977. Under his direction, the casino has expanded four times, from its original 4,000 square feet to its current total of about 30,000 square feet. Kish said every expansion project has been developed without having to go into debt.
      Even in the face of a changing gaming climate in Henderson, which has saw the advent of resort casinos such as Sunset Station and The Reserve, the Skyline has continued to thrive. In an interview conducted earlier this year, Skyline General Manager Dean Joyner said the casino's business has even increased since the arrival of Sunset Station.
      Kish credited his employees for his establishment's success, as well as the loyalty of his customers, many of whom have patronized the Skyline since its inception in 1964, when Kish's father was one of the original investors in the property.
      "I think competition is good," Kish said. "And I think people were able to compare. The community has been very good to me."
      But Kish has also given back to the city that has helped support him. He has been a member of numerous city boards since moving to Henderson in 1974, and currently sits on Henderson Convention Center Advisory Board and the Henderson Boys & Girls Club Board of Directors.
      Kish, who has served on the Boys & Girls Club board for 18 years, recently had the honor of having the club, located at 401 Drake St., named after him. He said the accolade, which was bestowed by Boys & Girls Club Executive Director Clyde Caldwell, was quite a thrill.
      "It was among the greatest," Kish said. "To see a building named after an individual who really enjoys the club, enjoys being on the board, I was absolutely flabbergasted. I was totally unaware. É If I was dead and gone, it would be one thing. But to still be living, it was a great honor."
      Even with all the contributors Caldwell has worked with in his 19 years heading the Boys & Girls Club, he said selecting Kish to name the club after was a relatively easy decision.
      "There's never a question," Caldwell said. "When it comes to supporting the club, you can count him in immediately. He loves to help kids and he loves to help us."
      Kish, who refused to disclose his age ("I won't even tell a friend," he said. "I'm 39 and holding."), said he has been so active with the club because of the commitment Caldwell has for the kids and because he can relate to many of the youth since he came from divorced parents himself.
      As Kish has gotten older, however, his community work has diminished over time.
      "At my age, I'm giving up boards, not acquiring them," he said. "I want to cut back. I used to work here 16 hours a day. Those days are gone. I don't want to put that kind of time in anymore.
      "I certainly want to give back to the community, but there's a limit. There's only one of me."
      Kish has been working since age 7, when he was selling newspapers on the street corner in his hometown of South Bend, Ind. Kish also worked as an accountant for Nelco Chemical Co. in Chicago for 15 years, even though he had no formal education above a high school degree, other than a smattering of accounting courses.
      After moving to Arizona for five years to work in the mobile home industry, Kish proceeded to Henderson where he has been ever since. He said there is really no secret to his success at the Skyline.
      "It's just basically hard work," Kish said. "I believe the harder you work, the more you get out of it. I've had some breaks, taken advantage of them and didn't drop the ball."