Page 11 - Mississippi/Louisiana Gaming News - Summer, 2024

Moving Ahead
Scott Norman
The Oklahoma-born Norman is a graduate of the University of Oklahoma, where he earned a degree in journalism and advertising. Norman has many years of management and marketing experience having worked for the Oklahoma Lottery and other businesses.
Scarlet Pearl Casino promotes two to managers
D’IBERVILLE — Scarlet Pearl Casino Resort announced a couple of promotions at the property. Veronica Jenkins has been promoted to security manager and John McDonnell III has been promoted to cafe manager.
trajectory. Jenkins is a
U.S. Army veteran serving from 1996 to 1999 before transitioning to the Army Reserve in 2000, where she served for five years.
McDonnell is responsible for front-of-house
and beverage supervisor in August 2009 assisting with the daily operations of the cafe, room service, banquets, and casino beverage. In 2011, he was promoted to F&B trainer. In 2012, as the company transitioned to Golden Nugget Biloxi Hotel and Casino, until
John 2014, he was the general McDonnell manager of Michael Patrick’s
WaterView hires marketing director
VICKSBURG — Scott Norman has taken the director of marketing position at WaterView Casino & Hotel
in Vicksburg. Norman comes to WaterView from the Thunderbird Casino in Norman, Oklahoma, where he first entered the casino world and worked for two years.
“I learned very quickly that I
absolutely love the industry,” he said. “It is ever-changing, always exciting and fast paced. You meet great people, both on the staff and with the guests you get to know.”
In her new role, Jenkins is
responsible for the overall
management of the security
department. With more than
27 years of security operations experience with 24 of those years specifically in the casino industry, Jenkins started her casino career as a security officer in 2000 with Gold Strike Casino Resort before moving to the Gulf Coast to take a position as control room lead at Beau Rivage Casino & Resort. There she advanced to security shift supervisor then shift manager to manager.
She joined Scarlet Pearl in November 2021, where she followed the same
Veronica Jenkins
Cafe & Sports Bar, 24/7 Grille, and in-room dining. In 2015, McDonnell
transitioned to Treasure Bay Casino Hotel Biloxi as F&B supervisor and later to La Vita Bella Italian Ristorante as restaurant manager.
McDonnell holds a certification in hospitality training from the American Hotel & Lodging Association and is currently attending Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College majoring in Hospitality Administration & Management.
operations for Under the Oak Cafe, Lounge Nocherie, Ami Pizza, and Chopstx. Joining Scarlet Pearl in November 2021, he has
a proven background in food and beverage operations with more than 10 years of experience in leadership roles and in corporate training.
McDonnell began his F&B career in 2009 with the Isle of Capri Casino Biloxi as a barista/advance store trainer (Starbucks). He was promoted to food
SUMMER 2024
MISSISSIPPI GAMING NEWS 11
Gavin Schmidt named AGM at Golden Nugget
BILOXI — Gavin Schmidt has been promoted to CFO and assistant general manager at Golden Nugget Biloxi. In his new role, Schmidt will support all casino departments to ensure operational efficiency and customer satisfaction.
Schmidt joined the Golden Nugget executive team as vice president and CFO in January
2023, where he oversaw the company’s financial functions, accounting, audit, treasury, and finance.
He started his career in the gaming industry
as a marketing analyst at the President Casino in
Biloxi in 1992. Over the next several years, he held senior-level positions
in finance for three different integral casino operators on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, most recently serving as vice president of finance at Hard Rock Hotel and Casino.
Schmidt holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Louisiana State University.
Gavin Schmidt
Two Promoted At Bally’s
Bally’s Vicksburg recently promoted two. Adrina Johnson (left), formerly hospitality supervisor, was named beverage supervisor and Raynor Brown, formerly hotel front desk clerk, was named hospitality supervisor.
Harlow’s Sous Chef
Harlow’s Casino Resort & Spa welcomes a new sous chef to its culinary arts team. Tracy Pirtle (left) brings his wealth of knowledge and experience in the culinary field to the award-winning property. Pictured with Pirtle is
Lagoberto Leon, director of food and beverage.