Bill Text: MS HR73 | 2026 | Regular Session | Engrossed
Bill Title: Matt McDonnell; comend upon retirement as Executive Director of the MS Coast Coliseum and Convention Center.
Sponsorship: Moderate Partisan Bill (Republican 7-1)
Status: (Passed) 2026-02-27 - Enrolled Bill Signed [HR73 Detail]
Download: Mississippi-2026-HR73-Engrossed.html
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2026 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Representatives Felsher, Bennett, Crawford, Estrada, Eure, Grady, Hulum, McKnight
House Resolution 73
(As Adopted by House)
A RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING AND COMMENDING MATT MCDONNELL UPON THE OCCASION OF HIS RETIREMENT AS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE MISSISSIPPI COAST COLISEUM AND CONVENTION CENTER.
WHEREAS, Matt McDonnell will retire in 2026 after 40 years of dedicated leadership at the Mississippi Coast Coliseum and Convention Center, where he most recently served as Executive Director; and
WHEREAS, Mr. McDonnell's career at the Coliseum began in 1986, as Director of Operations, and he was promoted to Assistant Executive Director in 1989, and named Executive Director in 2015, helping guide the facility through decades of growth, major events, and continued regional impact; and
WHEREAS, prior to his tenure on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, Mr. McDonnell began his career at the University of Alabama as Director of High Tide Productions, the programming arm of the Student Government Association, and while there, he promoted concerts and large-scale events across campus venues including Coleman Coliseum and Bryant-Denny Stadium, and he earned a bachelor of science in commerce and business administration from the University of Alabama in 1983; and
WHEREAS, in addition to his leadership at the Coliseum, Mr. McDonnell is the owner and operator of Concert Merchandise, managing artist merchandise sales for major venues including the Brandon Amphitheater in Mississippi and The Wharf Amphitheater in Orange Beach, Alabama; and
WHEREAS, Mr. McDonnell also dedicated more than two decades to public service as an Alderman in the City of Ocean Springs, Mississippi, serving six terms beginning in 1993, and he represented the downtown district and played a key role in the city's growth, event programming, and revitalization efforts, and he was inducted into the Mississippi Municipal League's Hall of Fame in recognition of 24 consecutive years of service; and
WHEREAS, following his public office career, Mr. McDonnell relocated to the historic 2nd Street in Gulfport, Mississippi, where he co-founded The Second Street Social Club, and alongside business partner Billy Ruble, he helped produce community events including a Mardi Gras parade and Christmas celebration for the historic downtown area; and
WHEREAS, a military veteran, Mr. McDonnell served six years in the United States Army Reserves, and he has been married to his wife, Jane, for more than 38 years, and together they have two children and are the proud grandparents of twin grandsons; and
WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to honor outstanding Mississippians, especially those such as Mr. McDonnell, whose four decades of service leave a lasting legacy on Mississippi Gulf Coast's entertainment, civic and business communities:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby recognize and commend Matt McDonnell upon the occasion of his retirement as Executive Director of the Mississippi Coast Coliseum and Convention Center, and express most sincere wishes for continued success in all his future endeavors.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Matt McDonnell and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.
