NOMINEE REQUIRING SENATE CONFIRMATION
AGENCY DIRECTOR BACKGROUND SUMMARY
POSITION: Director of the Department of Gaming
APPOINTING GOVERNOR: Janice K. Brewer
DATE OF APPOINTMENT: March 31st, 2009
TERM ENDS: At the pleasure of the Governor
POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE DIRECTOR:
The Department of Gaming regulates Indian gaming activities as authorized by the tribal-state gaming compacts. The agency is funded by the Arizona Benefits Fund, which receives a portion of tribal gaming revenues to pay for regulation of tribal gaming and prevention of problem gambling. The agency is also responsible for certifying casino employees and vendors working with casinos. The department receives monies from the Tribal State Compact Fund through casino employee and vendor certification application fees.
Statute permits the director of the department to issue subpoenas for the attendance of witnesses and the production of books, records and documents necessary for the enforcement of the powers of the department and the tribal-state compacts. Statute also permits the director of the department to establish a deputy director of the department. In addition, statute permits the director to enter into a contract or agreement with any public agency for any joint and cooperative action.
REQUIRED EXPERIENCE OR OTHER STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS:
Statute prohibits any employee of the department from having a financial interest in a gambling operation or in a gambling industry in this state during their term of employment or appointment. Statute also provides that the director may be dismissed if any relative, to the first degree of relation, is employed by, or has a financial interest in, the gambling industry in this state.
SALARY:
$136,000
AGENCY BUDGET AND FTEs:
Appropriated FY 2008-2009 Budget (funded entirely by the gaming industry): $16.56 Million
FTEs: 123
NOMINEE’S QUALIFICATIONS:
Education:
Juris Doctorate, University of San Diego School of Law—May 1991
Bachelor of Science, cum laude, Political Science, Arizona State University—May 1988
Judge Advocate Officer Basic Course, The Judge Advocate General School, United States Army—1997.
Judge Advocate Officer Advanced Course, The Judge Advocate General School, United States Army—2003.
Employment:
United States Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona—Assistant U.S. Attorney—2007-2009.
Corrections Corporation of America—Senior Director of State Customer Relations—2005-2007.
Maricopa County Superior Court—Judge Pro Tem—2004-present
Goldwater Institute—Director of Center for Constitutional Government—2003-2005.
Arizona Attorney General—Assistant Attorney General—1998-2003.
Maricopa County Attorney’s Office—Deputy County Attorney—1992-1998.
United States Army National Guard—Command Staff Judge Advocate—1997-2004.
Honorable Johathan H. Schwartz—Law Clerk/Bailiff—1992.
San Diego County District Attorney—Certified Law Clerk—1991.
University of San Diego—Research Assistant for Professor Bernard Siegan—1990-1991.
U.S. Senator John McCain—Congressional Intern—1984.
Other Qualifications:
Admitted to practice in Arizona, California, U.S. Federal District Court for Arizona, and United States Supreme Court
Certified to practice law by the State Bar of Arizona 1992-present
Former member of Latino Peace Officers Association
Former member of Camelback Kiwanis Club from 2003-2006
Current member of the Federalist Society, Arizona Lawyers Chapter, Executive committee
Fluent in Serbo-Croatian
Commerce and Economic Development Committee
May 18, 2009