Senate Resolution 20

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE SUCCESSFUL CAREER OF STEVE COX, PURCHASING DIRECTOR FOR CAESARS ENTERTAINMENT, INC., AND RECOGNIZING HIM FOR SUPPORTING THE MINORITY BUSINESS COMMUNITY IN MISSISSIPPI.

WHEREAS, as Regional Director of Purchasing for Caesars Entertainment, Inc., Mid South Region, Steve Cox directs activities for one of the world's leading gaming companies; and

WHEREAS, Steve Cox directs the purchasing activities for five casino resorts in Mississippi and a riverboat casino in New Orleans. He has been in casino purchasing for seven-plus years, hired in 1997 to be the Corporate Food and Beverage Purchasing Director for Grand Casinos, Inc., which managed four tribal gaming properties located in Minnesota and Louisiana, and owned and operated three casino resorts in Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, in 1998, when Grand Casino was acquired by Park Place Entertainment, Steve was given total responsibility to purchase all products and services for the newly created Mid South Region. Steve's knowledge of purchasing detail and dedication to innovation in his industry is a matter of record; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Cox began his career in Purchasing with Carrols Corporation, Burger King's largest franchisee located in Syracuse, New York, in 1979. In 1990, he was hired by Maines Paper and Food Service, Binghamton, New York, a full-service broad line distributor with annual sales of $250 Million, and was subsequently promoted to Vice President of Purchasing. In 1993 Steve accepted a position as Director of Purchasing for the Bayport Restaurant Group, Hollywood, Florida, which operated eleven full-service seafood restaurants doing business as The Crab House; and

WHEREAS, Steve is a graduate of Babson College, Wellesley, MA, is a member of the Blue Key Honor Society; he is retired from the military, having served as an officer in the United States Army, Infantry Corps and is a member of the Military Order of the Purple Heart. Steve is married and has five children; and

WHEREAS, Caesar's five casinos (Grand Casino Gulfport, Grand Casino Biloxi, Grand Casino Tunica, and Bally's and Sheraton in Tunica) have taken the leadership role among the state's 29 state-regulated casinos in an initiative to procure more goods and services from Mississippi vendors with an emphasis on minority business enterprises (MBEs) and women business enterprises (WBEs). To accomplish its objectives, Caesars has worked closely with the Mississippi Legislative Black Caucus, which created the initiative in 2003, and legislative committees. For calendar year 2004, this initiative netted a record $12.8 Million to Mississippi minority businesses. This $12.8 Million in activity firmly establishes Caesars as the number one corporation in the entire State of Mississippi when it comes to doing meaningful business with the African-American business community; and

WHEREAS, Black entrepreneurs engaged in insurance, food brokering, commodities, laundry and dry cleaning, drinking water, transportation, construction, architecture and food distribution represent just a few of the successful and creative relationships which have been developed by Caesars. This initiative would not have been successful without the experience, ingenuity and on-the-ground support of Steve Cox. In his capacity as Regional Purchasing Director, Mr. Cox has identified opportunities, crafted partnerships, mentored businesses and provided insight into how to make the process work. He, in effect, has taken minority business development in Mississippi to another level; and

WHEREAS, it is with pride that we recognize the business and civic contributions of this corporate citizen to the economy of the State of Mississippi:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend the career of Steve Cox, Purchasing Director for Caesars Entertainment, Inc., recognize him and his corporation for supporting the minority business community in Mississippi, and extend to him and his family the best wishes of the Legislature for our mutual success.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Steve Cox and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.