Page 10 - Mississippi/Louisiana Gaming News - Spring, 2023

Moving Ahead
Several at Beau promoted to vice president, regional director
BILOXI — MGM Resorts International and Beau Rivage Resort & Casino have announced the promotions of Allison Smith Mitchell, Kimberly Pelaez,
Scott Royals, Lee Smilek and Bruce Cartwright.
Allison Smith Mitchell was promoted to vice president of regional human resources business partnerships, where she will oversee regional human resource operations while providing strategic direction and leadership.
As a key member of MGM Resorts International’s Human Resources (HR) leadership team and HR Operating Committee, Smith Mitchell will partner with the HR Center of Excellence to establish short- and long-term people strategies and goals for the regional properties, while also championing company culture and employee value proposition.
“I am enthusiastic about this new chapter and the expansion of my scope,” said Smith Mitchell. “I look forward to applying my capabilities and driving key HR results across the eight MGM Resorts International regional properties.”
Smith Mitchell most recently served as vice president of human resources for Beau Rivage and Gold Strike Tunica. She has more than 27 years of human resources experience within the gaming and hospitality industry.
She earned her master’s degree
in organizational management at the University of Phoenix, New Orleans and
Allison Smith Mitchell
Kimberly Palaez
10 MISSISSIPPI GAMING NEWS
SPRING 2023
a bachelor’s degree in sociology and communications at Loyola University (New Orleans). She is also a certified Professional in Human Resources (SHRM-CP, PHR).
Kimberly Pelaez was promoted to vice president of human resources.
In this role, she will be responsible
for executing strategies and initiatives focusing on talent management, employee engagement and culture.
Biloxi native Pelaez began her career at Beau Rivage in 1999. She most recently held the role of MGM regional director of talent acquisition and
was responsible for developing talent strategies, goals and processes for eight regional MGM Resorts properties.
Pelaez received a Bachelor of Arts
in Casino Resort Management/Human Resources from Tulane University and is a SHRM Certified Professional as well as a Mind Gym Certified Leadership Trainer.
Scott Royals was promoted to regional director of revenue with responsibilities at Borgata, MGM National Harbor and
New GM named at Penn’s Tunica properties
TUNICA RESORTS — Penn Entertainment has named Bill Belcher general manager of Hollywood Casino Tunica and 1st Jackpot Casino Tunica.
With more than 25 years in the hospitality industry, Belcher joined Penn National in 2008 as the director of resort services at L’Auberge Lake Charles. In 2014, he was promoted to vice president of resort operations,
and three years later was named vice president and general manager of Retama Park Racetrack in Selma, Texas.
In 2019, Belcher joined Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races as assistant general manager. Most recently, he served as general manager of Zia Park Casino Hotel and Racetrack.
Jay Snowden, CEO
and president of Penn
Entertainment, said that
during his time at Zia Park,
Belcher navigated his team
through an extensive 354-
day closure due to COVID
restrictions. Additionally,
Belcher led the expansion of
the gaming floor and initiated
a partnership with a brewing
company in the development Bill
of a rebranded sports bar.
Belcher
WaterView
appoints new
ops director
VICKSBURG
— WaterView Casino & Hotel in Vicksburg announced
the addition of Mike Emery to its leadership team. In his new role
as director
of casino
operations, Emery oversees daily operations for the slots, table games, sportsbook and security teams.
With more than 30 years of experience in the gaming industry, Emery has spent time in numerous jurisdictions. He has worked in a variety of roles in slots, table game operations, sportsbook and player development, as well as casino credit. A New Jersey native, Emery came to Mississippi during the early days of the state’s gaming industry. He played an integral
role in opening five Grand Casino properties across the state.
He comes to WaterView from its sister property, Fitz Casino Hotel in Tunica, where he provided leadership as a casino shift manager.
Mike Emery