Page 27 - Mississippi/Louisiana Gaming News - Fall, 2026

Cerise
Dotson
Jonathan
Dear
Marques
Dillard
Charley
Newson
Deborah
Williams
Sandra
Blue-Minor
Trop Casino SVP and General Manager
Stacey Dorsey (second from left) with
Caesars Founders Award winners.
Vicki
Farr
Rodrick
Smith
Caesars properties reward employee excellence
TUNICA — Team members and
executives from three Caesars
Entertainment properties in the
Mississippi Delta came together in
May to celebrate excellence during
the annual Caesars Founders Awards
Celebration. Employees from Horseshoe
Tunica welcomed colleagues from Isle
of Capri Lula and Trop Casino Greenville
to Bluesville at Horseshoe for the event
honoring outstanding achievements.
Awards were presented to team
members at each property in three
categories. Blaze the Trail recognizes team
members who demonstrate leadership,
integrity and ownership. All In On Service
honors those who consistently deliver
outstanding service while fostering fun,
meaningful connections and memorable
guest experiences. Together We Win
celebrates individuals who embody inclusion,
compassion, collaboration and teamwork.
From Horseshoe Tunica, Cerise Dotson,
facilities coordinator, was the Blaze the
Trail award winner. Receiving the All In On
Service award were Jonathan Dear, butler,
and Marques Dillard, food rotation clerk.
And Charley Newson, table games dealer,
and Deborah Williams, table games dealer,
won in the category of Together We Win.
Dillard was also Horseshoe’s regional
winner, who became a Caesars Founders
Awards company-wide winner.
From Isle Lula, receiving the Blaze the
Trail award were Sandra Blue-Minor, slots,
and Vicki Farr, food and beverage. Rodrick
Smith, food and beverage, was the All In On
Service award winner, and Larry Carter,
security, and Sandra Wade, cage cashier,
won in the category of Together We Win.
From Trop Casino Greenville, Mary
Gordon, security officer, and Arthur Carter,
security manager, received the Blaze the
Trail award. Marcus McNeil, cook prep,
and Teneshia Harris, cage dual rate,
received the All In On Service award. And
in the category of Together We Win, Dalvin
Thomas, surveillance agent, and Tangie
Newsome, security officer, were the award
Larry
Carter
Sandra
Wade
winners.
Arthur Carter was Trop Greenville’s
regional winner.
The Founders Awards, known as Caesars
Entertainment’s top honor, celebrate
team members who exemplify integrity,
leadership, and excellence in all they do.
Leadership teams at
Boomtown Casino
and Hollywood Gulf
Coast take their
new roles seriously,
as they get first-
hand experience in a
variety of jobs.
PENN execs walk in others’ shoes
GULF COAST — Leadership
teams at sister properties
Boomtown Casino Biloxi and
Hollywood Casino Gulf Coast
participated in a Walk In My Shoes
event. Executives left their offices
to take on various roles at both
casinos, gaining first-hand insight
into daily operations.
Vice President of Marketing Kyle
Widdows spent time as a resort
attendant, while MeMe Burnham,
player services manager, worked
as a grill attendant; Troy Duhe,
facilities manager, worked as a
cocktail server, and Sarah Ladner,
human resources business partner,
was a Hollydeck bartender. Vice
President of Hospitality Michael
Huckins stayed busy as a valet
runner, and Aaron Stathes, human
resources generalist, worked as a
Celebrity Grill cook.
Through the program, executives
also create engaging experiences
with leaders and team members,
and gain feedback to improve team
engagement and operations.
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