Secretary Salazar welcomes Tracie Stevens as head of NIGC

Interior Secretary Ken Salazar said Tracie Stevens brings a "wealth of expertise and experience" to the National Indian Gaming Commission.

Stevens, a member of the Tulalip Tribes of Washington, was confirmed to lead the agency that regulates tribal casinos on Tuesday. “She will be an outstanding chair of the National Indian Gaming Commission," Salazar said in a press release.

During her confirmation hearing in May, Stevens shied from expressing views on controversial issues like off-reservation gaming and regulation of Class III games. She vowed to work closely with tribes but also said she will be a strong enforcer of federal gaming law.

Get the Story:
U.S. Senate confirms chairman of National Indian Gaming Commission (The Oklahoman 6/24)
Stevens to head Indian Gaming Commission (AP 6/23)

Senate Confirmation Hearing:
HEARING on the President’s Nomination of Tracie L. Stevens to serve as Chairman of the National Indian Gaming Commission (May 26, 2010)

White House Announcement:
President Obama Announces More Key Administration Posts (White House 4/28)

Related Stories:
Senate confirms Tracie Stevens to lead Indian gaming agency (6/23)
AllGov: Some background on Tracie Stevens, NIGC nominee (6/14)
Senate Indian Affairs Committee acts on nominees and bills (6/11)
NIGC nominee gets warm welcome at confirmation hearing (5/31)
Senate panel holds confirmation hearing for NIGC nominee (5/26)
Senate confirmation hearing for Tracie Stevens to run NIGC (5/25)
Senate confirmation hearing for Tracie Stevens to head NIGC (5/14)
Tulalip woman awaits confirmation hearing as head of NIGC (5/11)
NIGC's acting general counsel to retire from post on July 2 (5/5)
New leader of NIGC might bring in a new general counsel (4/30)
Obama nominates Tulalip woman for NIGC chairman post (4/29)
NIGC complete for now with Daniel Little as last member (4/21)
NIGC nominee denies online posts that criticized Obama (4/16)
Blog: NIGC nominee may have bashed Obama on Internet (4/6)
Comment period for NIGC appointment closes March 29 (3/10)
EchoHawk names three members of DC team (7/31)
EchoHawk bringing in his team to Washington (7/20)