Rockford’s Hard Rock Casino will open at the end of the summer, and an East High graduate and Marine veteran will be a key part of the process, as the Director of Gaming Operations.
Mark Johnson enlisted in the Marine Corps following graduation, where he served 6 years as an Aviation Mechanic, specializing in helicopter maintenance. After his service, Johnson and his wife moved to Florida to be closer to family, where he then began his career with Hard Rock.
Twenty years later, Johnson has returned to Rockford to oversee the slot machine and table games at the new casino. “The casino looks amazing,” Johnson said.

