Chairman Chaudhuri announces O'Loughlin as Chief of Staff at the National Indian Gaming Commission

WASHINGTON, April 28, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- National Indian Gaming Commission (NIGC) Chairman Jonodev Chaudhuri announced his selection of Shannon O'Loughlin, citizen of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, as the Chief of Staff. O'Loughlin will lead the day-to-day management of the Commission operations, including compliance, finance, public affairs and the recently created technology divisions.

In addition, O'Loughlin will provide support in implementing the Commission's priorities, which include: execution of the Agency's oversight duties; maintaining the NIGC's commitment to training, technical assistance, and meaningful tribal consultation; supporting a strong regulatory workforce both at the NIGC and among its regulatory partners; and continuing to strengthen dialogue and relationships with all relevant stakeholders.

"Shannon brings an extremely strong policy and law background, and she understands the importance of maintaining strong Indian country and stakeholder relationships," said Chaudhuri. "She has direct experience working with Indian country, federal, and private sector management teams and has been instrumental in her work with Interior's Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act Review Committee."

O'Loughlin brings more than 16 years of legal and policy expertise, with significant experience in Federal Indian law, Indian Nations law and policy, and indigenous peoples international and human rights law and policy. Most recently, O'Loughlin was in the private sector, heading-up and managing a large national firm's Indian law practice group as a partner in the firm's Washington office. 

"I am thrilled to be joining the Commission and to be at the NIGC at such a vibrant and exciting time," said O'Loughlin. "I look forward to getting reacquainted with those in Indian Gaming, as well as the thousands of on-the-ground Indian gaming regulators the NIGC works with day-in and day-out, to ensure the integrity of Indian gaming."

O'Loughlin will transition with acting Chief of Staff Christinia Thomas on May 4. Thomas will return to her role as the Deputy Chief of Staff, where both she and O'Loughlin will continue focusing the agency on its important Indian gaming regulatory mission.

The National Indian Gaming Commission is committed to the prompt and efficient regulation of the Indian gaming industry spanning more than 450 gaming establishments, associated with nearly 242 tribes across 28 states. The Commission's dedication to compliance with the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act ensures the integrity of the $28 billion Indian gaming industry. To learn more, visit www.nigc.gov and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

The National Indian Gaming Commission is an independent regulatory agency established within the Department of the Interior pursuant to the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act of 1988. 

Media Contact: Michael Odle 
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SOURCE National Indian Gaming Commission