Donna Linblad never planned a career in the casino industry—far from it. The Linwood native holds a degree in social work and psychology. But in 1981, after she graduated from college in Virginia, she took her brother’s advice and got a summer job at Caesars.

She was hired as a food server at the Boardwalk Café. The money was good, and the work suited her. With the exception of a few years off to raise her family, Linblad has been at the property ever since. And she loves it.

“Without sounding corny, I found my work to be a passion,” says the cheery mother of two. “It takes a certain type of person to work with the public, and honestly, I’m a people person. I just love being out there.”

Linblad tends to speak in superlatives. Her co-workers are “wonderful,” her employers “awesome,” the crew at Nero’s Steakhouse “fantastic.” Maitre d’ Betty McHugh is “perfect.” Caesars itself is “just the classiest place around.”

As for Chef Kevin Belcher’s menu at Nero’s, “I would say we have the best veal chop anywhere; it’s amazing,” she says. “Our foie gras is absolutely delicious, and we probably have the best crab cakes going. Even people from Maryland come up and say, ‘Donna, you’re right, these are sensational.’ In my opinion, Nero’s is the best steakhouse in Atlantic City.”

Linblad considers herself lucky to do something she enjoys, among colleagues and customers she genuinely likes. But the job has paid off in more ways than one.

“I got my kids through college, and I’ve made a great living,” she says. “This company genuinely cares about its employees. There are incentive programs and pep rallies; these are the things that give you a reason to do the job so much better.”

Though she never went into her chosen field of psychology, Linblad does ply that trade sometimes with customers who are out of sorts. She considers every encounter as an opportunity to brighten someone’s day.

“I look at it as a challenge,” she says. “If someone is grumpy or super-unhappy, I ask myself what can I do to turn their attitude around. Part of what I’m trying to accomplish is to make everyone who leaves our restaurant and our casino feel good, so they’ll return.”

And they do. Even in today’s tough economic climate, Linblad’s regulars have remained loyal.

“They come back year after year, and that will keep us going in these turbulent times. We’re still making a really good living.

“Honestly,” says Linblad, “it’s just great.”

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