The Boyd Family

The Boyd Family settled in Las Vegas in 1941. Family patriarch, Sam Boyd, was an original investor in the Sahara and the Mint. Sam’s son, Bill, joined with his father in developing the Union Plaza Hotel and later created Boyd Gaming. Bill is now chairman and CEO of the corporation that bears his family name.

Bill Boyd’s three children all are involved in the family business. Sam Boyd works as an Executive Casino Host at Sam’s Town; William R. Boyd serves as Vice President of Boyd Gaming and as a member of the Board of Directors; and Marianne Boyd Johnson is the Company’s Vice Chairman, Chief Diversity Officer and Senior Vice President.

The Boyd Family is active in the Las Vegas community, with strong ties to the University of Nevada- Las Vegas. In 1984, the Boyds made a $1.5 million contribution for improvement of the Silver Bowl football stadium, which was aptly re-named Sam Boyd Stadium. It now stands as one of the top college football facilities in the West, and also hosts a variety of entertainment events. Bill Boyd also helped the state of Nevada create its first and only law school in 1997, creating the William S. Boyd School of Law. Bill is an avid Runnin’ Rebels fan and frequently attends their games here in Las Vegas, and across the nation.

The Boyd’s also have shown their loyalty to other events in the Las Vegas Valley including the sponsorship of the Sam’s Town 300 NASCAR Busch Series race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway and the Aviation Nation Air Show at Nellis Air Force Base. Boyd Gaming also owns the Orleans Arena, which is home to the ECHL’s Las Vegas Wranglers, the Las Vegas Gladiators of the Arena Football League and many other local sports events.