National Indian Gaming Commission lands acting chair
Sharon M. Avery appointed by President Biden to lead body in an interim capacity following E. Sequoyah Simermeyer's exit earlier this year
President Joe Biden has named Sharon M. Avery as the acting chair of the National Indian Gaming Commission (NIGC).
Avery’s appointment comes after Secretary of the Interior, Deb Haaland, confirmed her as an NIGC associate commissioner on May 6.
Avery will serve as both acting chair and associate commissioner until a permanent chair has been sourced.
She is an enrolled member of the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe of Michigan and has been with the NIGC for more than four years.
Before being named NIGC associate commissioner, Avery served as the agency’s associate general council.
The role has been vacant since E. Sequoyah Simermeyer stepped down to join FanDuel as VP of strategic partnerships in February.
Speaking following her appointment, Avery said: “I am humbled the administration has entrusted me with the distinguished opportunity to serve as the NIGC acting chair.
“In this capacity, and to the best of my abilities, I will diligently execute my duties and responsibilities designated by the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act to continue the Agency’s regulatory oversight of tribal gaming facilities without disruption, until a permanent chair has been confirmed,” she added.
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