Mississippi State Gaming Association narrows search for new executive director

Sunday, April 16, 2000 | 2:24 a.m.

The group, which represents gaming companies in Mississippi, said it hopes to announce its selection at the annual Southern Gaming Summit that will be held here May 10-11.

The finalists include former state Gaming Commission executive director Paul Harvey; Mike Olivier, executive director of the Harrison County Development Commission; Beverly Martin, executive director of the Gulf Coast Gaming Association; Andy Bourland, public affairs director for Beau Rivage; and Brad Chism, a Jackson health care management executive.

"These are people we would like to seek out for final interviews," said Treasure Bay Casino CEO Bernie Burkholder, the state association's president. "We've done extensive resume reviews and background checks."

The association had hoped to have a director named by now. Ernest J. Stebbins resigned in October to become executive director of the national office of Phi Kappa Psi, his college fraternity. Tommy Walman has served as interim executive director during the state legislative session.

But even the search committee has had a changing of the guard. Jeff Dahl, who was hired in February as president of Beau Rivage, replaced Beau Rivage CEO Barry Shier on the committee.

"He has indicated his desire and the company's desire to play a lead role in MGA and in the executive search committee," Burkholder said. "I anticipate the search committee will meet with each of the candidates between now and the summit."

With the hiring of a new director, Burkholder said, MGA plans a more visible effort to promote the interests of the state's casino industry.

The change in leadership and mission will put a new emphasis on lobbying state politicians and influencing public opinion, rather than pooling information and reacting to events.

The MGA will evolve into more of a "proactive trade association," Burkholder said, to represent the industry as other trade associations do in other industries.

"In the past it's always been a lower profile association," he said. "The association will take a more active role in leadership, promotion and education. It needs to meet the new challenges the industry is facing, to plug in more, and carry out a grassroots public relations and communication campaign."