Governor Phil Bryant issued the following press release:
Three Confirmed to Mississippi Gaming Commission
JACKSON—Gov. Phil Bryant has appointed
Tom Gresham of Indianola, Jerry L. Griffith, Sr. of Gulfport and Al
Hopkins of Gulfport to the Mississippi Gaming Commission. Their
appointments have been confirmed by the Mississippi Senate.
Mr. Gresham will represent the Mississippi Delta Region. His term will begin Oct. 1, 2015 and will expire Sept. 30, 2019. Mr. Griffith and Mr. Hopkins will both represent the Mississippi Gulf Coast Region. Mr. Griffith will succeed
Mr. Wally Carter. Mr. Griffith’s term begins immediately and will expire Sept. 30, 2016. Mr. Hopkins will succeed Mr. John Hairston. Mr. Hopkins’ term begins immediately and will expire Sept. 30, 2017.
“Mississippi’s gaming industry is
important to the state’s economy and important to our tourism efforts,”
Gov. Phil Bryant said. “The Mississippi Gaming Commission has the
important mission of regulating this industry, and I am
confident these appointees are up to the task.”
About the Appointees
Tom Gresham
Tom Gresham is president and CEO of
Double Quick, Inc., a company that owns and operates convenience stores
in the Mississippi Delta. He is president of SIGMA, a national trade
organization for fuel marketers, and is past president
of the Mississippi Association of Convenience Stores. He holds a
bachelor’s degree in business administration and a bachelor’s degree in
journalism, both from Southern Methodist University. Mr. Gresham is vice
chairman of the Mississippi Community College
Board. He is also a member of Delta Council and is chairman of Delta
Council’s Development Department. He is past chairman of the Mississippi
Economic Council. He and his wife Louise are members of St. Stephen’s
Episcopal Church. They have three children.
“I am honored to serve on the gaming
commission for the state of Mississippi and appreciate the trust that
Gov. Bryant and the state Senate have put in me,”
Tom Gresham said. “The gaming industry is important to all parts
of Mississippi by providing good jobs for Mississippians as well as
tourism opportunities for visitors to our state. The Mississippi Gaming
Commission has a great national reputation, and
I will do my best to protect its integrity.”
Jerry L. Griffith, Sr.
Jerry L. Griffith, Sr. has more than 40
years of experience in government accounting and management. He is a
career agent with the Internal Revenue Service, serving from 1973-2014.
During his tenure with the IRS, Mr. Griffith
managed the agency’s anti-money laundering program in five states and
ensured casinos were in compliance with Title 31 under the Bank Secrecy
Act program. Additionally, he served as a general program manager for
Examination. He also developed an inventory
management system to aid in anti-money laundering efforts and directed
audits of businesses and casinos. He is experienced in investigating tax
fraud and during his career was responsible for planning, directing,
coordinating and reviewing the work of professional
and technical employees engaged in determining the liability for
federal taxes. Mr. Griffith holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from
Delta State University. He is a member of Delta Omicron Subordinate
Boule of Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity Grand Boule where
he serves as the Thesauristes. Mr. Griffith is a community mentor and a
member of Rotary International of Gulfport. He and his wife Veta are
members of Greater Mt. Olive Baptist Church of Gulfport, where he is
chairman of the Trustee Board and past chairman
of the Brotherhood. Mr. Griffith is a Vietnam Veteran and served in the
United States Navy. The Griffiths are the parents of two children.
"I am no stranger to the gaming
industry. During my 40 plus years with the Internal Revenue Service, I
have served in a number of positions including management,”
Jerry Griffith said. “I was responsible for managing the
Anti-Money Laundering program, also known as the Bank Secrecy Act,
ensuring that the gaming industry was in compliance with Title 31. The
gaming industry plays a vital and significant role in the
state of Mississippi's economy, and I will certainly carryout the
mission statement of the Mississippi Gaming Commission to the best of my
ability. I thank Gov. Bryant for this opportunity and his confidence
in me to serve as a commissioner for the Mississippi
Gaming Commission."
Al Hopkins
Al Hopkins is former Assistant Adjutant
General of the Mississippi National Guard and retired with the rank of
Major General. During his military service, he earned multiple awards,
including the Legion of Merit and the Magnolia
Cross. He served 13 years as Chief Judge of the Court of Military
Appeals. He holds bachelor’s degrees in English and History from Delta
State University and earned his Juris Doctor degree from the University
of Mississippi School of Law. He also holds a bachelor’s
degree in Biblical Studies from William Carey University and an
Honorary Master of Laws degree in law from Mississippi College School of
Law. Mr. Hopkins founded his own law firm in 1977, which operates today
under the name Hopkins, Barvié & Hopkins, P.L.L.C.
Gulfport. He is senior partner. He is also president of ANH
Enterprises, Inc. and Muddy River Farms, LLC, a farming, ranching, and
land development company. Mr. Hopkins is an active member of his
community and serves many organizations, including the Girl
Scouts of Gulf Pines Council and the Spanish Trail Council of the Boy
Scouts of America. He is a member of the Gulf Coast Chamber of Commerce
and is past president of the Harrison County Tourism Commission. He is a
32nd Degree Mason, an avid outdoorsman
and a life member of the National Rifle Association. He and his wife
Ruth are members of First Baptist Church of Gulfport, where Mr. Hopkins
is a Deacon and teaches Sunday School. The Hopkins have two children.
7 comments:
Two Baptists on the commission now? That doesn't sound too good...
Lots of campaign contributions in those three... and not just to Phil...
Don't know other two but Tom Gresham is top drawer and would be an asset to any board or commission
Pretty impressive group!
They should immediately push for a sports and horse-racing book. Mississippi has fallen behind other jurisdictions and was once number 3 behind Nevada and New Jersey. Need to regain that spot.
Ah the crooked Guard. You rise in the Guard via political favors and contributions which is why the TAG is appointed by the gov. Then they add or give a star upon retirement which is why you can't throw a rock without hitting a Guard General. Hopkins, a Baptist Deacon on the Casino Committee? Not really a major General especially when he crosses the State Line. Take it off your resume Al. We retirees know your grade.
I could have sworn Tom Gresham had already served in this role under Fordice. Is he a re-tread appointment?
And what's wrong with Baptist appointments? They've kept the whiskey drinkin' laws fair in this state for 50 years, right?
Post a Comment