Page 18 - Mississippi/Louisiana Gaming News - Spring, 2022

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John Hairston
Regulator
John Hairston has served as CEO of Hancock Whitney Corporation since 2006 and as president since 2014. Hairston received appointments in 2005 and 2010 to the Mississippi Gaming Commission, as one of the three- member body regulating the state’s gaming industry; and in 2012, Governor Phil Bryant appointed him chairman of that commission where he served until 2015.
“This is a team sport,” Hairston said. “It was a great pleasure to serve with fellow commissioners. The staff and regulators that make up the (MGC)
are very unusual, and while they are responsible for maintaining the integrity of the industry, they also are very good partners with the industry and maintain a proper balance to ensure that they industry is successful, and look at the success it’s been.”
Hairston serves as trustee and secretary on the board of the National World War II Museum in New Orleans, and on the boards of directors for both the Gulf Coast Business Council and New Orleans Business Council. He currently serves on the board of the Mississippi Aquarium Foundation and the Mississippi Economic Council.
These five gaming leaders are the fourth class to be inducted into the Mississippi Gaming Hall of Fame. The SGS is one of the longest running gaming industry trade shows in the country and, like casinos in Mississippi, it continues to thrive.
— David Grisham contributed to this story.
A Look Back
The Southern Gaming Summit (SGS) was held in Biloxi in May. Casino executives turned out May 3-6 for an extensive conference program and
a Hall of Fame Gala, where several gaming industry leaders were inducted. A welcome reception, golf tournament and luncheon provided excellent networking opportunities.
18 MISSISSIPPI GAMING NEWS SPRING 2022
Southern Gaming Summit 2022