Long-time Wynn Resorts executive and semi-professional poker player John Strzemp II has passed away aged 73 after a long battle with illness, with his passing coming on the same day as that of the company’s co-founder Elaine Wynn.
As noted by the Las Vegas Review-Journal, Strzemp was a close friend and associate of Steve Wynn, having served as President of Treasure Island before joining him at Wynn Resorts when the company was founded in 2000. He served as Wynn Resorts treasurer from 2003 to 2006, as EVP and Chief Financial Officer from 2002 to 2008 and as EVP and Chief Administration Officer until his retirement in 2017, overseeing the finances of the company’s integrated resorts in Las Vegas and Macau.
Strzemp was also a poker player of high regard, most notably finishing runner-up to the legendary Stu Ungar in the 1997 WSOP Main Event for US$583,000. In total he clocked 10 in-the-money finishes in WSOP events and two on the World Poker Tour for career tournament winnings of almost US$1.2 million.
Strzemp is survived by his partner Bonnie plus a son, daughter, granddaughter and brother Joe, the LVRJ said.