Linda
Phantom EFX Casino Manager

Linda- Thank you for taking the time to do this interview for all the Phantom Fans :) I think we all know how precious and few your spare moments are, so this is greatly appreciated.

What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?

Spare time? What's that? :) The things I enjoy doing besides my job, which I love, is having family time. I love spending time with my family and friends BBQ'ing, or just hanging out. My passion besides those two is football. I live and die with my Dallas Cowboys, and you will never find me on the Casino during football games :) I used to play golf, but physically can't do that anymore.

You must feel at times like a professional juggler with all the tasks expected and unexpected, what is the most rewarding part of your job as Casino Manager?

The most rewarding part I think is when I get to meet so many of you in person. I love that so much!! Having a BBQ each year before the Phantom Fan Fare is a fabulous way for me to get one on one time with so many of our members. We are fortunate to have the BEST community I have ever been part of. And if I helped in any way to make it what it is, then I feel very blessed.

How familiar were you with Phantom EFX before you came to work for them?

Actually, I had never heard of them before, and someone mentioned them on another forum. I did some research and after reading the Phantom forums, and seeing how Phantom responded to their customers, I knew I wanted to be part of that. I sent an email to Jim Thompson and he and Shurm contacted me a few days later. We had several phone meetings, and I was thrilled to be offered the job.

Where did you work before Phantom EFX?

I started my online experience with Sierra Sports. I worked on games like Trophy Hunting, Trophy Bass, the NASCAR series, and my first love PGA Championship Golf. I did some work on the Tiger Woods Golf Game, and there is even a computer player in the game with my name :) I then went to work for Hoyle Online, managing the online community, their Moderators and Support. Hoyle was sold to several different companies during that time, and I was very unhappy with the deterioration of their support system. I was looking for another place to focus myself when I found Phantom.

How exciting to be living in Las Vegas! What are the best and worst parts of that?

The best part of living in Vegas is being able to do anything you want to do 24/7. Imagine Christmas shopping at 3 am!! If you want to see a movie, grab a great dinner, go out to a club, anything you want to do in Vegas, you can do any time. The worst part is the heat. Summers are miserable, and you can't enjoy being outside at all.

What amazes you the most about Phantom Fans?

What amazes me most is the passion people have for the company. It's almost as if it belongs to them. I think the hands on, being accessible, approach that Shurm has, draws you in, and makes you feel like you are part owner. Everyone takes such pride in the successes of the company. It's wonderful being a part of it.

What is your favorite game in Phantom?

Texas Hold Em is my favorite game. And I enjoy most of the table games.

Your favorite game outside Phantom?

If you mean computer games, that would be PGA Championship Golf.

Is the amount of time you have to spend on your responsibilities as Casino Manager hard on your family? How do they feel about Phantom games?

I wouldn't say it's hard on them. I met my husband when he was working in a similar position, so he is well aware of the time it takes. The fact that I work at home, let's me be with them even when I am working. And it lets me be home when my husband gets home from work every day. He enjoys playing Poker, meeting all the people when they come visit, and his BBQ is becoming lengendary :)

Since the PB's had to answer silly questions, you shall not escape them. LOL

Who is your all-time favorite actor and actress?

John Travolta.....I think he has a wonderful sense of humor and would love to just hang out with him. I don't really have a favorite actress.

What is your favorite tv show?

It used to be West Wing....I still haven't recovered from it ending. I watch ER, Survivor, Criminal Minds, CSI, but I guess my favorite is The Closer.

Do you have any animals? What kind?

I have three cats, Missy, Fudger and Precious, and a black Pekinese named Buddy.

What is your favorite dessert?

Cheesecake........and COOKIES!!!

If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be?

I live there already......Las Vegas

Last but not least- if you were given a magic wand- what would you do with it?

I would cure illnesses. Pain in itself is debilitating, and will wear a person down both physically and mentally. Watching someone you love living with pain every day, or living it yourself is difficult to say the least. If I had a magic wand, that's what I would do with it.