In a significant move positioning itself for a dynamic future, Caesars Entertainment, a major player listed on NASDAQ under the symbol CZR, announced today the appointment of Kim Harris Jones to its board of directors, making her the tenth board member and third woman to be inducted into the fold.
Harris Jones, a distinguished University of Michigan alumnae, isn’t a novice in high-ranking executive roles. She brings a wealth of experience from consumer discretionary and consumer staples sectors. This appointment cements her position on a fourth board, making her role an accolade to cherish.
Gary Carano, the Executive Chairman of Caesars Entertainment acknowledged Harris Jones’s extensive experience in finance and leadership, particularly her tenure in some of the largest consumer-packaged goods and automotive companies, as a significant asset. He believes her addition will provide a unique perspective into creating dynamic and robust future possibilities for Caesars Entertainment.
The organization had been operating with nine directors since July 2022 after the exit of Sandra Douglass Morgan, who has since assumed the role of president of the Las Vegas Raiders. Kim’s appointment, thus fills a crucial vacancy, offering a significant boost to the board’s representation.
The choice of Harris Jones is indeed a smart one for the Caesars board, and not just because of her illustrious career. Having been recently listed among the “100 Most Influential Black Corporate Directors” by BoardProspects Magazine, her appointment brings Caesars in compliance with the current NASDAQ requirement for member firms to have at least one female director, an ethnic or racial minority, or one identifying as LGBTQ+. This rule, approved in August 2021 by both NASDAQ and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), aspires to normalize diversity at the highest levels of corporations.
While the rule was contested in 2021, the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld it on the basis that the board mandate wasn’t discriminatory and didn’t violate the First Amendment. Critics may attribute Harris Jones’s appointment to her racial background. However, it can’t be denied that her credentials speak volumes about her capabilities, including a sterling history of twenty-three years in the automotive industry and an influential six years stint at Mondelez International as Senior Vice President and Corporate Controller.
Caesars, in fact, is just another addition to Harris Jones’s robust portfolio that includes directorships at renowned firms like TrueBlue Inc., United Rentals, and consumer apparel firm Fossil Group. Her LinkedIn profile reveals her long-term commitments marked by an eight-year stint with TrueBlue and a nearly six-year association with United Rentals. Based in Las Vegas, Harris Jones is prized for her expertise in complex issue navigation and implementation of strategic transformations.
Caesars CEO Tom Reeg echoed Carano’s sentiments about Harris Jones. He asserted that her vision aligned seamlessly with the company’s strategic, collaborative innovation aspirations. He looks forward to working with her, the board, and the management on driving results that would ultimately benefit the company’s guests, team members, and shareholders.
