Jason W. Nichols appointed Deputy Director of Arizona Indian Gaming Association
Association Grows its Outreach and Services with New Deputy Director
PHOENIX, May 17, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The Arizona Indian Gaming Association (AIGA) announced today that Jason W. Nichols has accepted the position of Deputy Director of AIGA. Nichols had previously served as Gaming Commissioner for the Muscogee (Creek) Nation. He was selected after a national search of candidates. The organization is growing its outreach into the business community as the tribal communities diversify their business interests. The Deputy Director will be instrumental in the coordination of these efforts and utilizing his strengths in the gaming operation and regulation to develop training programs for the casino operations.
Nichols, who holds a B.B.A. from Northeastern State University, Tahlequah, Oklahoma, brings extensive experience in Indian gaming regulatory and policy issues. He began his gaming career as a Mega Bingo sales clerk at Creek Nation Tulsa Bingo in 1996 while he was attending college. Two years later he joined an electronic gaming vendor, working in training and customer care. He was appointed to the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Gaming Operations Authority Board in 2002 and, from March 2005 to July 2006, served as Deputy Commissioner, Office of Public Gaming for the Nation. In 2006, Nichols was appointed Acting Gaming Commissioner and in January, 2008, he was appointed Gaming Commissioner. Nichols received the Warrior's Award (for Lifetime Achievement as a champion in the cause of Oklahoma Indian Gaming in 2010). Nichols is a member of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation. He is married to his wife, Alison, and they have two children, Cassidy and Carson.
"This is a great opportunity to be part of an outstanding organization. The Arizona Indian Gaming Association is considered a leader in our industry and Arizona Indian gaming is a national model," said Nichols. "I look forward to working with the Tribal leadership and Valerie Spicer to further the great work of AIGA."
The Arizona Indian Gaming Association has a membership of 17 tribes representing more than 90% of the Indian people living on reservations in Arizona. AIGA was established November 21, 1994 by Arizona tribal leaders. The Association is committed to advancing the lives of Indian peoples – economically, socially and politically – so that Indian tribes in Arizona can achieve their goal of self-reliance. Current membership includes: Ak-Chin Indian Community, Cocopah Tribe, Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation, Fort Mojave, Gila River Indian Community, Havasupai Tribe, Hualapai Tribe, Kaibab-Paiute Tribe, Navajo Nation, Pascua Yaqui Tribe, Quechan Tribe, Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community, San Carlos Apache Tribe, Tohono O'odham Nation, White Mountain Apache Tribe, Yavapai-Apache Nation and the Zuni Tribe.
Contact: |
Strateg!es/Pam Hait or Martha Hunter |
602-952-0040 |
SOURCE Arizona Indian Gaming Association
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