Page 16 - Mississippi/Louisiana Gaming News - Fall, 2026

Moving Ahead
Regula given oversight of MS Penn properties
MISSISSIPPI — PENN Entertainment recently
expanded the responsibilities of Barry Regula,
giving him oversight of the company’s full Mississippi
casino portfolio while he continues as vice president
and general manager of Hollywood Gulf Coast and
Boomtown Biloxi.
Regula now leads Hollywood Gulf Coast,
Boomtown Biloxi, Hollywood Tunica, 1st Jackpot
and Ameristar Vicksburg. He reports to Aaron
Rosenthal, senior vice president of regional
operations.
Regula brings more than 35 years of industry
experience and a strong record of operational
performance and team leadership. Since being
named general manager of Hollywood Gulf
Coast and Boomtown Biloxi in 2022, he has
strengthened operations, built high-performing
teams and delivered consistent results across the
Gulf Coast market.
The move is part of PENN Entertainment’s
effort to tighten alignment across its properties
and highlight internal talent.
Barry
Regula
Senior Marketing Manager Ahmad
Redmond with Mikaela Phillips and
Kaylin Morris.
Harlow’s Casino Resort marketing
department sees two promotions
GREENVILLE — Harlow’s Casino Resort
2023 as a guest service supervisor in
& Spa announced two promotions in the
the hotel department. She transitioned to
marketing department. Kaylin Morris
marketing in January 2026, working as
was promoted to marketing coordinator,
promotions and entertainment coordinator.
and Mikaela Phillips was promoted to
Phillips started her Harlow’s career in
promotions and entertainment coordinator.
June 2021 in the hotel department as a
Morris started at Harlow’s in October
night auditor/guest service agent.
Lisa
Ford
James
Houtman
Zackary
Stubbs
Jimmesha
Myles
Ameristar Casino fills key roles across the Vicksburg property
VICKSBURG — Ameristar Casino &
Hotel Vicksburg has filled four key roles
with experienced hospitality, facilities
and food-and-beverage professionals.
Lisa Ford has joined as director
of hotel operations. She brings more
than a decade of hospitality leadership
experience and a hands-on, people-
focused approach to operations, team
development and guest satisfaction.
Ford began in housekeeping and
advanced into general manager and
training general manager roles, leading
hotel operations across multiple markets
with emphasis on performance, team
culture and guest experience.
Ford holds a Bachelor of Science in
Sociology from Mississippi College and
an Associate of Science from Hinds
Community College.
Also joining is James Houtman, named
director of food and beverage. Houtman
has more than 20 years of experience
in casino gaming, hospitality, higher
education and multi-unit restaurant
operations. He has led complex, high-
volume operations, opened new concepts
and built high-performing teams focused
on accountability and service excellence.
Houtman holds a Bachelor of Arts in
Business Administration and Management
from Southeastern Louisiana University.
Zackary Stubbs has been named
executive chef. Stubbs brings more
than a decade of culinary and hospitality
leadership across restaurants, catering,
higher education dining, casinos and large-
scale venues. Most recently, he served
as executive sous chef with Legends
Hospitality at the Caesars Superdome
and Smoothie King Center, leading high-
volume operations, mentoring teams and
delivering guest experiences for major
events.
Throughout his career, Stubbs has
shown commitment to operational
excellence, team development, food quality
and guest satisfaction, including opening
concepts, managing banquets, overseeing
costs and building teams through
mentorship.
Completing the additions is Jimmesha
Myles, appointed facilities manager. Myles
brings more than a decade of facilities
and maintenance leadership across
hospitality, commercial and residential
operations. Most recently, she served as
facilities manager at Topgolf, overseeing
daily operations, preventive maintenance,
safety compliance, vendor partnerships
and team development.
Myles holds bachelor’s degrees in
business administration and management
and in corrections and case management,
plus certifications in HVAC, residential
wiring and electrical systems.
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