Kunkle, former Station Casinos exec, tapped as general manager of Riviera

Rob Kunkle, a former vice president and general manager with Station Casinos Inc., has been named general manager of the struggling Riviera, the property’s parent company said Wednesday.

In a statement, Riviera Holdings Corp. said with Kunkle’s “proven management track record,” he is poised to lead the Riviera in restoring the “luster and profitability to the famed property.” Kunkle is the first executive to join the historic Strip property since CEO Andy Choy was fired in June.

Noah Acres, senior vice president of gaming, also resigned.

“I couldn’t be more excited with the opportunity to work at such an iconic and legendary brand,” Kunkle said. “I am confident that … we will make the Riviera a successful Strip property once again.”

The Riviera has struggled financially over the past five years given its position on the north end of the Strip, across from Circus Circus and next door to Carl Icahn’s stalled Fontainebleau project. The hotel lost $7.37 million, or 82 cents a share, in the second quarter, compared with a profit of $11.8 million, or $1.31 a share, for the same period last year.