Page 16 - South Mississippi Living - March, 2023

COAST NOTE
GULF COAST
Recognized by
story by Cherie Ward photos courtesy of Mississippi Business Journal
LuAnn Pappas
Mary S. Graham
Bill Lavers
Tina S. Demoran
Cynthia Henderson
The Mississippi Business Journal has recognized five outstanding South Mississippians for their business leadership skills with a 2023 Top Chief Executive Officer award.
“We were delighted to recognize and honor so many great CEOs, presidents, executive directors, and general managers from Mississippi companies,” said Tami Jones, publisher of the Mississippi Business Journal.
Among the top leaders are LuAnn Pappas, chief executive officer of Scarlet Pearl Casino Resort; Dr. Mary S. Graham, Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College president;
Bill Lavers, executive director at the Harrison County Development Commission; Tina Seymour Demoran, founder and managing attorney of Seymour Law Firm; and Cynthia Henderson, president, and senior environmental engineer with Cypress Environment & Infrastructure.
This is the sixth year the Business Journal has awarded top leaders who have shaped their businesses and communities with their leadership knowledge and skillsets.
“Being able to recognize for the sixth year, the people who work to create jobs, build new facilities, and contribute to our state’s economy and our communities, has been very gratifying and rewarding to us as most businesses are continuing to rebuild pre-pandemic,” Jones said. “The group of diverse honorees comes from large, medium, and small companies over the state of Mississippi, and are truly committed to their companies and the community.”
As CEO of the independent, boutique property Scarlet Pearl, Pappas has guided the reinvention of every aspect of the casino guest journey from high-limit gaming to the hotel and dining experience.
Since taking the MGCCC helm 11 years ago, Graham has tremendously expanded the college, by offering 10 locations within its four-county district. She has worked to offer no-cost
training in high-demand, well-paying careers through grants and partnerships with local industries.
Lavers credited the recognition as a result of the leadership and dedication of his incredible team, the Harrison County Board of Commissioners, and the relationships they’ve collectively built in the community and state and not
solely because of his individual efforts or actions.
It’s not surprising if you recognize Demoran’s name. She not
only owns and manages Seymour Lawfirm in Ocean Springs, but she also owns Professional-Experts Consulting Services
and has an extensive medical background. She defeated cancer at a young age and is known throughout the Coast as both a professional and personal motivational speaker and a published author.
Henderson, of Biloxi, has many passions in the facets of environmental engineering and is known throughout the Coast as an advocate for ecosystem restoration, environmental remediation, and regulatory compliance.
Other top leaders recognized throughout the Magnolia State are Dr. Jay Allen, Itawamba Community College; Patricia Bennett, Mississippi College School of Law; Janet C. Benzing, Delta Health-Northwest Regional; Nancy Luke Carpenter, Visit Columbus; Michael Chancellor, Chancellor Inc.; Dr. Rozelle Chapman, Mallory Community Health Center; Tripp Hammett, Hammett Gravel Company; Thomas Hudson, Jackson State University; Dan Keown, Steel Dynamics Columbus; John Mckay, Mississippi Manufacturers Association, Martin Eugenio Palomo, IV, Pinnacle Wealth; Tyler Raborn, Raborn Media; Muhammad Sohail, Seimens Energy; Charlie Smith, UniTek Global Services; Belinda Stewart, Belinda Stewart Architects; Dr. Rickey L. Thigpen, Visit Jackson; Quentin Whitwell, Progressive Health Systems; and Tkeyah Williams, Mamas Nature’s Juice Bar.
16 | March 2023
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