Sandra Douglass Morgan was appointed chairwoman of the Nevada Gaming Control Board two years ago when Steve Sisolak was elected governor. She was the first African American to lead the board and the second woman, replacing the first woman, Becky Harris. Last week she resigned to join Fidelity National Financial, a company controlled by the owner of the Vegas Golden Knights of the National Hockey League, Bill Foley.
Morgan’s short reign at the board was noteworthy however, overseeing the purchases of Caesars Entertainment by Eldorado Resorts and also navigating the Covid-19 crisis, which shut down Nevada casinos for the first time in history.
At Fidelity, she will chair a litigation committee of the board, and is expected to lead the charge against a suit filed against Foley and Fidelity when the company bought a life insurance company, FGL Holdings, which Foley also controlled in a $2.7 billion deal. Morgan’s term runs through 2021.
“We are excited and pleased to welcome Sandra to our board of directors as an independent director,” Foley said in a statement. “Sandra comes at an exciting time for FNF as we remain committed to maximizing and delivering value to all FNF stakeholders. I know her deep experience and diverse skillset will certainly benefit our management team and board.”
Sisolak praised Morgan’s time on the board.
“Her steady hand and unmatched leadership has been critical in guiding Nevada’s gaming industry through one of the most turbulent periods in its history,” Sisolak said. “She will be greatly missed, but her leadership and ability to put together a talented team has left the State in a great position to fill the role with another accomplished individual.”
In a statement, Morgan said leading the board “had been a privilege.”
“Working with an outstanding and dedicated staff throughout the state has been the honor of a lifetime.”
Prior to joining the board, Morgan had been a member of the Nevada Gaming Commission, and director of external affairs for AT&T Services, Inc.
Sisolak said he would fill the position on the control board quickly.
