The Mississippi Senate recently confirmed Governor Phil Bryant’s three appointees to the Mississippi Gaming Commission: Tom Gresham of Indianola, Jerry L. Griffith Sr. of Gulfport and Al Hopkins of Gulfport.
Representing the Mississippi Delta region, Gresham’s term will begin October 1 and will expire September 30, 2019. Griffith and Hopkins will represent the Mississippi Gulf Coast region. Griffith, succeeding Wally Carter, will serve now through September 30, 2016. Hopkins, succeeding John Hairston, will serve now through September 30, 2017.
Bryant said, “Mississippi’s gaming industry is important to the state’s economy and important to our tourism efforts. The Mississippi Gaming Commission has the important mission of regulating this industry, and I am confident these appointees are up to the task.”
Gresham is president and chief executive officer of Double Quick Inc., owners and operators of 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 earned bachelor’s degrees in business administration and journalism at Southern Methodist University. Gresham is vice chairman of the Mississippi Community College Board, a member of Delta Council and chairman of Delta Council’s Development Department, as well as past chairman of the Mississippi Economic Council.
“I am honored to serve on the gaming commission for the state of Mississippi and appreciate the trust that Governor Bryant and the state Senate have put in me. 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,” Gresham said.
Griffith brings to the commission more than 40 years of experience in government accounting and management. He was an agent for the Internal Revenue Service from 1973-2014, managing the agency’s anti-money laundering program in five states and ensuring casino compliance. He holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Delta State University. Griffith is a community mentor and a member of Rotary International of Gulfport.
“The gaming industry plays a vital and significant role in the state of Mississippi’s economy, and I will certainly carry out the mission statement of the Mississippi Gaming Commission to the best of my ability. I thank Governor Bryant for this opportunity and his confidence in me to serve as a commissioner for the Mississippi Gaming Commission,” Griffith stated.
Hopkins is former Assistant Adjutant General of the Mississippi National Guard and retired with the rank of Major General. 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. Hopkins founded Hopkins, Barvié & Hopkins, P.L.L.C. in Gulfport in 1977 where he is senior partner. He is also president of ANH Enterprises, Inc. and Muddy River Farms, LLC, a farming, ranching, and land development company. Hopkins is a member of the Gulf Coast Chamber of Commerce and is past president of the Harrison County Tourism Commission.
“I am honored that Governor Phil Bryant and the legislature would place this great trust in me. My promise to the people of Mississippi is that I shall work diligently and faithfully to carry out my duties and responsibilities as a member of the Mississippi Gaming Commission,” Hopkins said.
The next regular meeting of the Gaming Commission will be April 16 in Jackson.
