Newsmakers 2015: Lyle Randolph

Because of his avid community outreach, people know Lyle Randolph most everywhere he goes.

Randolph, 42, is general manager and vice president of Isle Casino Cape Girardeau, husband to Yvonne and father to daughters Reagan and Reese. A lifelong Southeast Missouri resident, Randolph marked 20 years working for the casino's parent company, Isle of Capri Inc., earlier this year, but has lived and worked in Cape Girardeau for less than two years.

It didn't take him long to make his mark: He's recently been recognized for performance and community involvement with Isle's Jack Galloway Award, given to honor the company's most valuable general manager, and led the casino to recognition for philanthropy efforts by the American Red Cross, among other recent service awards.

Randolph serves as committee leadership for organizations including the Cape Girardeau Area Chamber of Commerce, the Cape Girardeau Convention and Visitors Bureau and other community groups, especially those focused on improving the downtown area, such as Old Town Cape. He also pushes for the casino to support community activities such as funding for local sports teams and the annual fireworks display.

"I think one of the things about being from Southeast Missouri is I understand the importance of community," says Randolph, who grew up in Gideon.

He says support for downtown development was among his primary objectives when he began serving in his current role.

"The success of downtown is success for us," he says. "We share that common goal."

At the start of his career, Randolph pursued a communications degree from the University of Missouri-Columbia, but "fell in love with the industry" while working a summer job the Caruthersville, Missouri, casino. A variety of roles at Lady Luck Casino that included management and serving as president of the Missouri Gaming Association eventually led Randolph to Cape Girardeau.

During the first full year of Randolph's management, gaming revenue at Isle Casino Cape Girardeau is up 10 percent, which is the best increase seen among 13 casinos in the state. Revenue increases mean more tax dollars generated for use by local communities, which Randolph says matches the reason he believes casinos were brought to Missouri in the first place: to provide tax revenue and economic development.

"If we can promote development and if we can help support small businesses, we are going to help," Randolph says. "We want to show that we are a good partner."