Former Treasure Island President and Long Las Vegas Gaming Industry Financial Officer John Strzemp II died Tuesday after a long illness. He was 73.
Strzemp, also a professional poker player who ended up in the money in large tournaments 12 times, was a closely associated and worked with former Wynn Resorts CEO Steve Wynn.
Strzemp was the CEO and Head of Administrative Head of Wynn Resorts, a service he had since March 2008. From September 2002 to March 2008, Strzemp served as CEO and CFO for the company. He also served as the company’s treasurer from March 2003 to March 2006 and was at one time Bellagio’s CFO.
During his time with Wynn, Strzemp Ekonomi monitored the company’s Las Vegas properties and in Macao.
When Strzemp retired from Wynn in early 2017, he was asked by Steve Wynn to continue as a special consultant to the company until the end of that year.
When MGM Resorts International acquired Treasure Island, which formed MGM Mirage 2000, Strzemp was one of two managers he brought with him to form Wynn Resorts.
Strzemp’s death was one of two connected to Wynn on Tuesday. Steve Wynn’s former wife and co -founder of the company, Elaine Wynn, died earlier in the day. Both Elaine Wynn and Strzemp were residents of the Las Vegas’ Park Tower Condominium Complex.
Strzemp may have been better known for its poker skills.
In general, he finished a tournament in second place for Poker Legend Stu kids in the 1997 World Series of Poker, and won $ 583,000.
While Strzemp won no bracelets in big poker events, he had 10 money in the World Series of Poker and two in the World Poker Tour competition.
In addition to playing poker, Strzemp was a baseball fan of Chicago Cubs and enjoyed planning trips to various baseball stadiums to see games. Friends and co-workers said they were often dazzled by Strzemp’s mathematical skills and behind his back called him “Rainman”, a reference to the Tom Cruise-Dustin Hoffman movie. Friends also liked his dry humor who often coaxed them to laugh out loudly on some of his stories.
Strzemp is survived by a son, also a poker player, John III, and a daughter, Jacqueline, a grandson and a brother, Joe. He had lived with partner Bonnie Rattner for 24 years.
Contact Richard N. Velotta at rvelotta@ theplayerlounge.com or 702-477-3893. Follow @rickvelotta at X.
