She can lead a tour of the Grand Sierra Resort with the best of them.

“This has always been our buffet,” points out Cheryl Swan, as we walk past the resort’s restaurant row. “In the beginning, it was called the Stage Door Cafeteria.”

After 47 years in the executive offices, Cheryl Swan knows the history of this property - as well as her own.

“My first day here, I started 12/1/77, we opened May 3rd of '78.”

At what was becoming the MGM Casino, Swan was an executive secretary in the food and beverage department. In 1977 the offices were temporarily located near Mill and Bible Streets in Reno. Weekly, she, along with her boss, would go on location and survey the developing buildings.

“We were coming here and visiting with the dirt lot and so forth.”

Soon enough, the MGM Casino opened its doors in May of 1978 in Reno. 

“The grandeur, the - just the beauty, the class - it was all red and chandeliers,” smiles Cheryl. There where glitz, glamour - and celebrities.

“I grew up on a country road in Mississippi so this was very exciting for me.”

Swan brought her Southern drawl - and set roots in northern Nevada.

“This became my hometown and my family.” She is deeply and mutually connected to co-workers. Cheryl got the nickname "Swanie" and over a 47-year span would develop a great admiration for the place she calls home.

“Six generations I’ve witnessed now, make those memories and connect.”

From employees and guests to superstars...

"and I said, "Ladies don't everyone crane their neck, but Cary Grant is coming down the hall.”

...to super shows.

"'Hello Hollywood, Hello' - the world's largest production on the world's largest stage.”

Cheryl says the memories and friends made are too many to count and admits that retirement is bittersweet.

“I will always stay connected to this property. I'll always have this white hair moving through the building because this is my hometown and my family.”

When Cheryl Swan retired at the end of June, she was the resort casino's only day-one employee. She started when she was 28 years old.

To check out the Grand Sierra Resort click here.