Laguna Development Corporation was honored for its long standing involvement and support of the Business School at New Mexico State University during a dinner and award presentation at the Las Cruces Convention Center on Friday April 12th.
Several hundred attendees including university officials, business school alumni, past award winners, New Mexico legislators and long-time New Mexico Senator Pete Dominici were on hand for the presentation of the annual Corporate Trader Award. Master of Ceremonies for the event was the Dean of the NMSU School of Business Dr. Garrey Carruthers. The award was formally accepted by Laguna Development Corporation Board of Directors Chairman Ron Solimon and President/Chief Executive Officer Jerry Smith. Also attending were several members of LDC’s executive staff including COO Kevin Greer, CFO Howard Funchess, Chief of Sales and Marketing Skip Sayre, Chief of Retail Earl Carrasco, Chief of Food and Beverage Jorge Brasil, Chief of Facilities G.T. Mason, Chief of Risk Management Abel Cardenas, Chief of Gaming Operations Dan Hall, Chief of Government Relations Kathy Gorospe as well as the Director of Hospitality Don Billbrough and Director of Database Marketing Michael Feldman.
During the presentation Dean Carruthers cited LDC’s commitment to the education of business students at NMSU through scholarships for Laguna students, direct involvement on advisory boards and committees as well as financial sponsorships that directly benefit the School of Business and the university. Ron Solimon and Jerry Smith, both NMSU graduates, accepted the award on behalf of LDC and expressed pride and gratitude for recognition of the decades-long relationship between the Pueblo of Laguna, the company and the university.
Chairman Solimon spoke about the relationship between the school and the company fostered by LDC Chairman Emeritus Floyd Correa who passed away last year. President Smith thanked all the employees at LDC for their roles in making LDC one of the most successful and highly respected Native American gaming companies in the country.