Wind Creek Casino has a new leader.

General Manager and Executive Vice President Jahnae Erpenbach started work April 1 following the retirement of the casino’s first GM, Roger Kuehn.

The post is her first with Wind Creek, but she has spent her career in the gaming and hospitality industry, including stints with several establishments in the Chicago area. She has worked on riverboats, racinos and casinos in Illinois and Indiana.

“I’m used to this market, and what a market Chicagoland is. It is competitive. It’s dynamic. It is fast-paced. It is ever-changing,” Erpenbach said. “We have got to be on our toes. We have to stay strong and motivated.”

She is an Illinois native, although she grew up at the other end of the state. She said what attracted her to the job was Wind Creek’s core values that prioritize people, staff and customers, ahead of profit.

“I’ve worked for a lot of people … A lot of good gaming companies, but this is the best one,” she said. “They care about their people. They care about their customers. I’m going to take care of the team because they deserve to be well taken care of. I’m going to take care of our customers and and I’m going to take care of this community. We all are. We’re all part of the community.”

Erpenbach said she was proud, too, to represent the Poarch Band of Creek Indians. The casino operates under the authority of the Alabama-based nation. Wind Creek revenues provide support for the health and education of Poarch Band members.

LEED certification

In other news, the casino announced early in May that its Chicago Southland campus received a silver Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certificate from the U.S. Green Building Council. The designation recognizes developments that minimize ecological impact.

In a news release, the company said sustainability guided the facility’s design from the beginning, from site selection to water metering, green power and carbon offset program participation.

 “The work of innovative building projects like Wind Creek Chicago Southland is a fundamental driving force in transforming the way our buildings are built and operated,” said Peter Templeton, president and CEO of USGBC. “Buildings that achieve LEED certification are lowering carbon emissions, reducing operating costs, and conserving resources while prioritizing sustainable practices and human health.”

 “We’re always focused on long-term impact and that includes strengthening the communities we serve,” said Brent Pinkston, executive vice-president and chief operating officer of Wind Creek Hospitality, the casino’s parent company. “This recognition speaks to how we’re investing in the Southland by not only creating a destination, but also supporting a sustainable future for the places our team members and guests call home.”