After a career with Watertown FD, Dan McDermott adapts to clean-shaven life as ‘mayor’ of Everett casino
Stroll through Encore Boston Harbor’s lobby and Tower Suites and you’ll likely encounter Dan McDermott or, as some people call him, “The Mayor.” After more than 50 years of working with the Watertown Fire Department and then Armstrong Ambulance Service, McDermott jumped at the chance to be the greeter at the Everett casino when it opened last year — even if it meant losing his cherished facial fuzz.
“I needed something to do,” McDermott said, adding that he interviewed for the job because he knew retirement wasn’t for him. “They offered me the job, and there were just a couple of stipulations: There couldn’t be any visible tattoos and there couldn’t be any facial hair.”
“Being with the fire department all of those years, I had a mustache and I was kind of attached to it,” he continued. “I went to bed that night with a wicked bad attitude. … The next morning I woke up and said, ‘You know what? The mustache will grow back.’ ”
Flash forward to today and a clean-shaven McDermott doesn’t seem to mind the upper lip sacrifice he made so he could chat with guests everyday. With perfect attendance, the professional conversationalist happily arrives at work an hour early every day, so he can sit with a cup of coffee and a paper rather than risk being late.
“I have no lesson plan for the day,” McDermott said. “I don’t practice in front of the mirror. This is what God gave me and I just take it to work.”
“I say good morning or good afternoon — of course smiling while doing it — and then I say to them, ‘Is there anything I can assist you with?’ ” he continued. “Often you can see people looking at the signage and they have this blank look on their faces. Actually, when you first walk in, it’s kind of overwhelming. I think they’re taken aback by the beauty of it.”
McDermott has also become a pseudo-photographer for folks. He’s usually walking around Encore’s extravagant entrance and he’s grown accustomed to taking pictures for people posing in front of its trademark floral carousel.
“On a busy day, I probably take 30 pictures,” he said. “And the people love that because they try to take selfies, which is kind of awkward because they’re trying to hold up their phones or the sticks.”
“I have a repertoire,” he added. “I take four pictures: I take two horizontal and I take two vertical. … They think I’m like a real photographer, but I haven’t got a clue.”
While helping people compose primo Instagram posts has become a part of his position, McDermott said that his favorite aspect is engaging with visitors.
“On slow days, I have conversation deprivation,” McDermott said, laughing. “I talk to the plants, but they don’t talk back.”
His conversations have earned him plenty of fans — among guests and colleagues alike. He’s the frequent recipient of hugs and even invitations to faraway places, like China and Australia.
“I think if you like what you do, you tend to be good at it and I think people can feel that energy,” McDermott said. “I get a lot of positive comments, and every one of them I appreciate.”
“It’s really a nice job — but don’t tell anyone!” he jokingly protecting his post. “Don’t tell them it’s too nice!”