Ray H. Neilsen has been tapped for a larger role in the company his father founded, but will continue to reside in Vicksburg

Neilsen, 43, was named a corporate senior vice president of Ameristar, a move said to be an expansion of his duties in the casino-centered company since the death of his father, Craig H. Neilsen, in November.

Neilsen will also retain his duties as co-chairman of the board of the company, which is based in Las Vegas and has grown to be among the 10 largest casino companies in the nation.

&#8220I love Mississippi and plan to continue to make this my home,” Neilsen said. &#8220I will continue to maintain my primary office in Vicksburg. I will also have a regular presence in Las Vegas.”

Neilsen was voted Vicksburg’s man of the year in a 2004 Vicksburg Post poll.

&#8220Even with my business commitments increasing, I have a vested interest in Vicksburg’s future, since three of my four stepchildren work for Ameristar Vicksburg, he said.

He and his wife have been active as sponsors and supporters of the City Front Mural Project. &#8220Also, I am on the Riverfest board of directors, and am actively involved, since I am working to make this year’s 20th Riverfest the best ever.”

The three-day town festival is later this month.

Ameristar was created in Vicksburg, since its Vicksburg properties were the company’s first expansion under that name, and outside Nevada. &#8220My father established a strong foundation for us to build upon,” he said, &#8220and we intend to continue that legacy going forward.”

Neilsen served previously as vice president of operations and special projects with Ameristar, which saw its lead of the market share at its Vicksburg casino increase among the four casinos here during his tenure as senior vice president and general manager.

Projects costing $158 million are under way at the site near the river bridges. Included are 1,100-space parking garages, expected to be completed this year. The boat itself is also being raised to sit on reinforced steel beams on the Mississippi River.

The casino will also expand its gaming space to add up to 800 slot machines. The project will also include two new restaurants, a new Star Club for VIP guests, a poker room, a retail shop and other amenities.

Also planned is a second hotel to be built in existing parking spaces immediately east of the casino.

Neilsen also serves as co-trustee and a director of the Craig H. Neilsen Foundation, created by his father and recipient of his father’s holdings in the company. The foundation funds research into spinal cord injuries.

Neilsen holds a degree in history from the Albertson College of Idaho and a master’s in business administration from the Monterey Institute of International Studies.

Founded in 1954 in Jackpot, Nev., Ameristar has been a public company since November 1993. The company’s holdings include seven casinos in four other markets including St. Louis, Kansas City, Omaha and Denver.