Matt McDonnell; comend upon retirement as Executive Director of the MS Coast Coliseum and Convention Center.

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To: Rules
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE REGULAR SESSION 2026

By: Representatives Felsher, Bennett,
Crawford, Estrada, Eure, Grady, Hulum,
McKnight

HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 73

A RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING AND COMMENDING MATT MCDONNELL UPON 1
THE OCCASION OF HIS RETIREMENT AS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE 2
MISSISSIPPI COAST COLISEUM AND CONVENTION CENTER. 3
WHEREAS, Matt McDonnell will retire in 2026 after 40 years of 4
dedicated leadership at the Mississippi Coast Coliseum and 5
Convention Center, where he most recently served as Executive 6
Director; and 7
WHEREAS, Mr. McDonnell's career at the Coliseum began in 8
1986, as Director of Operations, and he was promoted to Assistant 9
Executive Director in 1989, and named Executive Director in 2015, 10
helping guide the facility through decades of growth, major 11
events, and continued regional impact; and 12
WHEREAS, prior to his tenure on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, 13
Mr. McDonnell began his career at the University of Alabama as 14
Director of High Tide Productions, the programming arm of the 15
Student Government Association, and while there, he promoted 16
concerts and large-scale events across campus venues including 17
Coleman Coliseum and Bryant-Denny Stadium, and he earned a 18
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bachelor of science in commerce and business administration from 19
the University of Alabama in 1983; and 20
WHEREAS, in addition to his leadership at the Coliseum, Mr. 21
McDonnell is the owner and operator of Concert Merchandise, 22
managing artist merchandise sales for major venues including the 23
Brandon Amphitheater in Mississippi and The Wharf Amphitheater in 24
Orange Beach, Alabama; and 25
WHEREAS, Mr. McDonnell also dedicated more than two decades 26
to public service as an Alderman in the City of Ocean Springs, 27
Mississippi, serving six terms beginning in 1993, and he 28
represented the downtown district and played a key role in the 29
city's growth, event programming, and revitalization efforts, and 30
he was inducted into the Mississippi Municipal League's Hall of 31
Fame in recognition of 24 consecutive years of service; and 32
WHEREAS, following his public office career, Mr. McDonnell 33
relocated to the historic 2nd Street in Gulfport, Mississippi, 34
where he co-founded The Second Street Social Club, and alongside 35
business partner Billy Ruble, he helped produce community events 36
including a Mardi Gras parade and Christmas celebration for the 37
historic downtown area; and 38
WHEREAS, a military veteran, Mr. McDonnell served six years 39
in the United States Army Reserves, and he has been married to his 40
wife, Jane, for more than 38 years, and together they have two 41
children and are the proud grandparents of twin grandsons; and 42
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ST: Matt McDonnell; comend upon retirement as
Executive Director of the MS Coast Coliseum and
Convention Center.
WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to 43
honor outstanding Mississippians, especially those such as Mr. 44
McDonnell, whose four decades of service leave a lasting legacy on 45
Mississippi Gulf Coast's entertainment, civic and business 46
communities: 47
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF 48
REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby 49
recognize and commend Matt McDonnell upon the occasion of his 50
retirement as Executive Director of the Mississippi Coast Coliseum 51
and Convention Center, and express most sincere wishes for 52
continued success in all his future endeavors. 53
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be 54
furnished to Matt McDonnell and to the members of the Capitol 55
Press Corps. 56