Page 18 - Mississippi/Louisiana Gaming News - Spring, 2024

People In The News
Silver Slipper hosts banquet to honor year’s top employees
HANCOCK COUNTY — Silver Slipper Casino Hotel recognized its 2023 Employees and
Supervisor/Manager
2021. He was noted for being dependable, dedicated to his work and always getting
of the Year winners at
a banquet held at the Blue Bayou Bar & Grill. All 2023 nominees were honored before the winners were announced.
Skylar Ritchie, slot floor person, was named front-of-house Employee of the Year, and Scott Riley, warehouse receiver, was named back-of-house Employee of the Year. Mechelle Smith, compliance officer, was awarded 2023 Manager of the Year.
Silver Slipper Casino Hotel General Manager John Ferrucci (front row, second from right) with Employees of the Year and Manager of the Year nominees and winners.
Ritchie, who has been at Silver Slipper since September 2019, was cited for his work in helping several departments and training new employees during his shifts. It is said that he is always in a good mood and treats guests and coworkers like family.
Riley has been with the property since
the job done.
Since 2019, Smith has been compliance
officer. She recently assisted at one of the company’s other properties, which meant she had to become familiar with another state’s gaming laws. Smith was also instrumental in reinstating the safety committee.
18 MISSISSIPPI GAMING NEWS
SPRING 2024
Best of the Year
Scarlet Pearl Casino Resort celebrated associates recently at an awards dinner. Jerry Tatum, EVS attendant, was named Associate of the Year and Ashley Lyman, security shift supervisor, was named Supervisor of the Year. Lyman has been at the D’Iberville resort for six years. Tatum has been at the resort for seven years. Both winners received a $5,000 cash prize.
Team Member of 2023
WaterView Casino Hotel named its Team Member of the Year for 2023. Odis Smith, food and beverage, earned the property’s top honor. Smith received $1,000, a plaque, and a designated parking spot for a year. He was presented the award by General Manager Penny Bankston.
Stars saluted at Golden Nugget
BILOXI — Two employees were recognized at the end-of-the-year gala at Golden Nugget Biloxi. Jason Pitman, executive sous chef, was named
Star Leader of the Year and Jeremy Bellinger, hotel maintenance lead, was Star Employee of the Year.
Pitman studied information
technology before finding his passion
for cooking, which has turned into
a 20-year career. He has worked at
many Gulf Coast restaurants where he
gained valuable knowledge in sustainability practices, Southern cooking, and regional foods. Prior to coming to Golden Nugget, he worked at IP Casino Resort Spa and Scarlet Pearl Casino Resort, among other places.
Bellinger joined the Golden Nugget team in September 2020 and was promoted to his current role in 2023. He plays an integral role in maintaining the facility on a day- to-day basis. Bellinger is known for his positive attitude, his hard work and dedication and for being a leader. Prior to his career at Golden Nugget, Bellinger was a Patriot Radar Technician for the Army for six years.
Jason Pitman
Jeremy Bellinger
Pitman and Bellinger each received several prizes.