The Ascuaga family has been a cornerstone of northern Nevada’s tourism and gaming community for nearly seventy years. Their legacy began with John Ascuaga, whose leadership transformed a small coffee shop and a handful of slot machines into the renowned John Ascuaga’s Nugget. John became known for his hands-on approach, personal warmth, and deep commitment to the community, championing regional events, supporting education through scholarships that assisted more than 700 students, and giving back through decades of charitable service.

John’s children, Michonne and Stephen, continued this tradition of dedication. Michonne Ascuaga spent nearly 40 years in the family business, beginning as a teenager and ultimately serving as CEO of the Nugget for 16 years until its sale in 2013. She has remained active in civic and cultural leadership, serving on multiple nonprofit and community boards, including Plumas Bank, Sierra Arts Foundation, Nevada Women’s Fund, Nevada Western Heritage Alliance, Bishop Manogue Catholic High School, and the Washoe K–12 Education Foundation, where she served as Chairwoman. A proud northern Nevadan, she continues to champion regional heritage and community development.

Stephen Ascuaga has been a driving force in northern Nevada’s tourism and gaming industries for more than 30 years. After graduating from the University of San Diego, he returned home to take on a range of leadership roles within the family’s operations, ultimately serving as Chief Operating Officer of the Nugget. Since 2013, he has served as Corporate Director of Business Development for Peppermill Resorts Inc., which employs more than 5,000 team members and operates five casinos statewide, as well as the iconic Peppermill Coffee Shop on the Las Vegas Strip.

Stephen has held numerous board and leadership positions throughout the region, including with the Regional Air Service Corporation, Hot August Nights, the Reno-Sparks Chamber of Commerce, EDAWN, and the Nevada Department of Transportation. He currently sits on the Executive Committee of the Nevada Resort Association and serves as Treasurer for the Reno-Sparks Convention and Visitors Authority. His long-standing dedication to northern Nevada continues to guide his work and community involvement.