May 25, 2008

Marketer, assistant VP hired at new casino

Ginny TzotzolasRachel BaconRiverwalk Casino and Hotel has announced two new staff members. The latest hires are part of a string of appointments in anticipation of the Warrenton Road casino’s grand opening in November.

Ginny Tzotzolas has been named director of marketing. She began her career with Harrah’s Casino, now called Horizon, and has eight years of experience in the Vicksburg gaming market. She has overseen the marketing initiatives of three casino properties. In 2005, she was named a Top Woman in Business by the Delta Business Journal.

Rachel Bacon has been named vice president of operations and assistant general manager. She has worked at casinos in Iowa and Mississippi. She has about 14 years of experience in the Vicksburg gaming market and has worked in a variety of operational and staff positions.

Joyner recipient of Future Award

Jessica Joyner, an engineer in Environmental Affairs at the Southern Nuclear corporate office, was one of three recipients of the 2008 Future Award at this Jessica Joyneryear’s North American-Young Generation conference in Chicago.

The Future Award recognizes efforts that best exemplify the mission of the NA-YGN.

Joyner was honored for helping to establish and lead the NA-YGN Conservation Committee. Under her leadership, the committee developed a quarterly newsletter, Conserving Tomorrow, which highlights nuclear energy’s environmentally friendly technology and provides information on what energy companies can do to encourage conservation.

Joyner is the daughter-in-law of Vicksburg residents Geoffrey and Sue Joyner and is married to Scott Joyner. Her father-in-law is pastor of Crawford Street United Methodist Church.

Joyner and her husband live in Birmingham and have a 7-month-old daughter.

Local Toasmaster named Competent Communicator

Stephen C. Spangler has attained the level of Competent Communicator as a member of Vicksburg Toastmasters Club No. 2052.

To attain the level from Toastmasters International, a member must complete 10 speech projects in the Competent Communication manual.

Spangler received his bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Virginia Tech. He is a mechanical engineer at the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center’s CAD/BIM Technology Center. He has been a member of the local club since February 2002 and is its secretary/treasurer.

Cellular South exec to speak at VAMP

Jim RichmondThe speaker for the June meeting of the Vicksburg Area Marketing Professionals will be a Cellular South executive.

Jim Richmond is director of corporate communications for the company. He oversees media relations, public relations, internal communications and sports marketing. In his 17 years with Cellular South, Richmond has been a regional field manager, director of retail sales, director of business and government sales and director of training and development.

He is a 1985 graduate of Mississippi State University and is a native of McComb. He lives in Madison.

VAMP will meet at noon June 3 at Ameristar Casino’s Heritage Buffet.

Job Fair Telethon Thursday on MPB

A WIN Job Fair Telethon has been set for 7 p.m. Thursday. It will be broadcast live on Mississippi Public Broadcasting, local cable Channel 7.

Viewers may also watch a live stream at www.mpbonline.org.

During the two-hour telethon, WIN representatives will provide job listings and post job orders from employers. They will also give information on training, human services, education and economic development.

Job seekers and employers can call 1-888-844-3577.

The telethon is sponsored by the Mississippi Association of Workforce Areas and MPB.

Burt named manager of MDOT division

Robby Burt has been named director of the Mississippi Department of Transportation’s freight, rails, ports and waterways division.

The appointment takes effect June 1.

Burt’s jurisdictions will include goods movement analysis and planning, the Ports and Waterways Development Program and the Railroad Safety and Operations Program. He began his career at MDOT in the planning division and was statewide planning manager. Most recently, he was deputy director of the freight, rails, ports and waterways division.

A 1995 graduate of Mississippi State University, Burt is a member of the Institute of Transportation Engineers, Mississippi Engineering Society and Mississippi Society for Certified Public Managers.

Burt is a native of Kemper County. He and his wife, Stacy, have two sons, Robert and William. They live in Brandon.