Most Interesting People 2012: Marcus Glover

Marcus Glover

Senior vice president and general manager of Horseshoe Casino Cleveland, 36

/ Why he's interesting / Glover has worked at a variety of Harrah's properties (most recently as the assistant general manager and vice president of operations at Caesar's St. Louis Casino and Hotel). He was hired to manage the Horseshoe Casino Cleveland, which is expected to bring an estimated 5 million people to downtown Cleveland when it opens later this year.

/ Internships pay off / While attending Duke University, Glover entered Harrah's management program and interned at the Harrah's casino in New Orleans for a summer before he was eventually hired there as a president's associate. He worked on strategic projects and rotated through all the departments. "I learned the business at a fast clip."

/ Stormy weather / Glover was living in New Orleans at the time of Hurricane Katrina, but he successfully evacuated. "It's a great city. My wife is from there, so it's kind of like a second home for us. Her family is still there, and we're there quite often." In the wake of the hurricane, Glover was put in charge of reopening the Grand Casino Biloxi in Mississippi.

/ An urban pioneer / Glover's experience in New Orleans has set him up well for the task of opening Cleveland's casino. "New Orleans is one of the best representations of an urban casino done well."

/ Making connections / Glover says the Horseshoe Casino should augment the nightlife scene that already exists in downtown Cleveland. "Connectivity is a big part of what we're focusing on. In terms of amenities, we don't have a lot in this facility, so we want to connect with the surrounding infrastructure to create a complete experience so that people will want to come back."

/ Family matters / "For me, anytime I get off [of work] is just time I can spend with the kids." His three kids are big fans of the Children's Museum of Cleveland and the Great Lakes Science Center.

/ Southern living / "My wife and I are both from the South, and we feel like Cleveland provides a little Southern hospitality. People are very embracing here."

/ His favorite game of chance / Craps. "I like the multiple bets and the interaction between the dealers and the other players."