Kathy Raymond, the subject of my third column about outstanding women in poker, currently lives in Las Vegas and is married with two children, two step-children, and seven grandchildren. She attended Central Connecticut State College and the University of Connecticut and graduated with a major in accounting and a minor in business management. Kathy's hobbies include riding motorcycles and playing poker. Her most thrilling poker experience happened in 2009 when she cashed 20^th in the World Series of Poker HORSE event out of 770 players.

I caught up with Kathy recently and asked her some questions about her life in the poker industry.

Linda Johnson: How did you get started in the poker industry?

Kathy Raymond: After being in the accounting field for 20 years, I was bored and heard about a casino opening at Foxwoods in Connecticut. I was totally intrigued and excited by the idea and decided to apply for a position as a poker dealer. Having played and enjoyed poker since I was 8-years old, this was a perfect fit. In 1992, I joined Foxwoods as a poker dealer and have never looked back.

LJ: What jobs did you have in the industry prior to your current position?

KR: I held every position that there is in poker during my 14 years at Foxwoods. I was a dealer, supervisor, dealer trainer, tournament director, dealer coordinator, assistant shift manager, shift manager, poker room manager, and ultimately was the poker room director for the last eight years.

LJ: What are your major job responsibilities in your current position as Executive Director of Poker Operations at the Venetian Hotel and Resort in Las Vegas?

KR: Much of my responsibility revolves around marketing the poker room. It is always imperative to keep the poker room fresh and exciting to the players. Another major responsibility is ensuring that my staff is living up to the high standards set for the poker room. This includes patron service and satisfaction as well as poker knowledge and integrity. Obviously, keeping a profitable stance is important in any business, so maintaining an efficient operation is also part of the ongoing responsibility through managing expenses and enhancing technological advances. Lastly, but definitely not least, is ensuring that the players in The Venetian poker room have a positive experience throughout every aspect of our operation. This entails keeping attuned to comments and input received from players and responding in a timely manner.

LJ: What do you like least and most about your current job?

KR: The least appealing part of my job is the paperwork, from budgets to financial reporting and audits (I suppose this comes from years of accounting background). The most enjoyable part of my job is interacting with the players and members of my team. These people have become a part of my extended family and knowing that I have in some way contributed to their positive experiences makes the job completely worthwhile.

LJ: Who are some of your mentors in the industry?

KR: There have been so many people who have provided me with knowledge and help over the years. Jack McClelland and Mike Caro were there for me when I was new to the tournament world. Jan Fisher and you helped me keep my sanity when I was ready to give up. Mike Sexton showed me the true gentleman’s side of poker. Everyone that I have reached out to in the industry has been supportive and I consider them all to be mentors and part of who I am today.

LJ: If you weren’t in the poker industry, what do you think you would be doing for a living?

KR: I'd probably still be working in the financial industry and wishing that I was in the poker industry.

LJ: What advice to you have for someone who wants to get into the poker industry?

KR: I would say that first and foremost you must personally enjoy the sport of poker. If you have aspirations of rising up through the ranks, be sure to experience every phase of the industry. In order to succeed, you must thoroughly understand the multitude of disciplines involved in making a poker room successful. This takes patience and perseverance. Always keep in mind that the poker players are the core of the industry. Treat them with the same respect that you would like to be shown and LISTEN to them. Whether you are a dealer or a director, you will find no better source of valuable input anywhere.

LJ: What are some of the contributions you have made to the poker world?

KR: I believe that the introduction of Deep Stack poker tournaments, which I formally introduced at the Venetian in 2007, changed the industry for the better. Events across the country are following this lead, including the WSOP, and players now have the opportunity to utilize their poker skills to a heightened degree.

I was the first to sign up to be a charter member of the World Poker Tour in 2002. I realized very quickly that televised hole cards would bring a whole new segment of players to the tables. The “I can do that” mentality that resulted from this and other televised events exploded the poker scene.

Back in the early '90s, the intimidation of a poker room was still a major deterrent as a result of the inappropriate conduct of many players. I took a strong stance against this misconduct, realizing that if the sport was to attain legitimacy and growth, these types of behaviors would have to be eliminated. I have asked many a pro player over the years to call it a day . . .

LJ: If you could change anything in poker to make it better, what would you change

KR: Just as the TDA has helped standardize the rules of tournament poker, I would love to see that same type of format applied to cash games. There are many rules in poker that depend on the circumstances of the situation but there are a multitude of others that could potentially be standardized. Consistency is crucial to the poker players’ positive experience.

LJ: Has being a woman helped or hurt you in the poker industry?

KR: I have never seen my gender as a factor in the poker industry. I truly believe that if you are passionate enough about the industry that you are in and prove yourself, gender takes a back seat.

LJ: How has poker changed for women in the past 20 years?

KR: With the success of so many female players who truly personify professionalism and class, the number of women engaging in the sport of poker is increasing daily. The fear and intimidation that in prior years kept many women from crossing the threshold of a poker room is dissipating. Where women were previously seen as an easy mark at the poker table, they are now looked at as worthy opponents. One final hurdle remains….. we need a female player to win the WSOP main event. Come on ladies -  Make it happen!

LJ: In closing, Kathy asked me to thank all the people who gave her the opportunity to be a part of the best industry in the world. She said, “I am truly grateful. It is not often that one can say that she sincerely loves what she does each day at work.”