Jose Flores, MBA, JD

Jose Flores, MBA, JD is a gaming, hospitality, and business executive with more than three decades of leadership experience across the casino, hotel, food and beverage, and entertainment industries. His career is a testament to the power of lifelong learning, servant leadership, and professional growth.

Jose began his career in 1994 with a private gaming company, located in Joliet, Illinois as a frontline prep cook. Over the course of twenty-five years, he steadily advanced through the organization, serving in a variety of operational and executive leadership positions
spanning food and beverage, facilities, capital development, and property operations. Through hard work, continuous development, and a passion for leadership, he ultimately rose to the roles of Assistant General Manager and Vice President/General Manager with PENN Entertainment.

Throughout his 32 year career, Jose has been actively involved in transformational projects including hotel developments, significant casino expansions, entertainment venues, restaurant concepts, labor relations initiatives, and organizational culture improvements.
His leadership contributions earned industry recognition, including being named one of Global Gaming Business Magazine’s “25 People to Watch.”

Committed to continuous personal and professional development, Jose earned a Master of Business Administration from Morris Graduate School of Management while working full-time in increasingly demanding leadership positions. He later pursued and obtained his Juris Doctor from Western Michigan University Thomas Cooley Law School and is a licensed attorney in the State of Michigan. In addition to his executive responsibilities, he
operates a boutique law practice focused on business organizations, entrepreneurship, and estate planning. He is currently pursuing admission to practice law in both Tennessee and Arkansas.

Recognizing the growing importance of data-driven decision making, Jose also completed executive studies in predictive analytics through the Wharton School, strengthening his ability to leverage data, forecasting, and business intelligence to solve complex
organizational challenges and improve operational performance.

Following his tenure with Penn Entertainment, Jose continued his executive leadership journey with several prominent gaming organizations, including Gun Lake Casino, Peninsula Pacific Entertainment, and Odawa Casino Resort. Today, he serves as Vice
President and Assistant General Manager of Southland Casino Hotel in West Memphis, Arkansas, where he helps lead one of the region’s premier gaming and hospitality destinations. In this role, he provides strategic leadership across multiple operational disciplines while supporting team member development, guest satisfaction, regulatory compliance, financial performance, and community engagement.

Jose believes great leadership is rooted in curiosity, service, and a commitment to helping others achieve their potential. Throughout his career, he has remained active in civic and charitable organizations, serving on nonprofit boards, chamber of commerce initiatives, and community outreach programs. He is passionate about developing future leaders and fostering opportunities that strengthen both organizations and the communities they serve.

As a participant in Leadership Arkansas, Jose hopes to deepen his understanding of the opportunities and challenges facing the state, build meaningful relationships with leaders from diverse industries and communities, and contribute to Arkansas’s continued economic and civic success.