The National Indian Gaming Commission, the federal agency charged with overseeing tribal gaming in the U.S., has named a new chief of staff to Chairman Jonodev Chaudhuri and a new general counsel.
Chaudhuri announced his selection of Shannon O’Loughlin, citizen of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, as chief of staff. O’Loughlin will lead the day-to-day management of NIGC 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 and tribal consultation, supporting the 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, she 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 deputy chief of staff, where both she and O’Loughlin will continue focusing the agency on its important Indian gaming regulatory mission.
Chaudhuri also announced Eric Shepard as the NIGC general counsel. Shepard has been acting general counsel since September 2012. He will continue to provide legal oversight, guidance and assistance to the commission in carrying out its responsibilities under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act.
“I am grateful to Eric for his steadfast leadership as the acting general counsel at a time of transition for the NIGC,” said Chaudhuri. “Eric has been a consistent source of counsel, legal insight, strategic thinking and collaborative spirit, and he will continue to serve the NIGC well in the years ahead.”
Prior to joining the Office of General Counsel, Shepard was the attorney general for the Colorado River Indian Tribes, for more than a decade. While in this position, he served as the chief legal officer and principal adviser to the chairman and Tribal Council on litigation, federal and state legislative and regulatory affairs, land use and economic development proposals. Before serving the Colorado River Indian Tribes, Shepard clerked for the Indian Country Environmental Justice Clinic and the Conservation Law Foundation, and served as a fellow at the Soros Open Society Institute in Bucharest, Romania.
“I am honored Chairman Chaudhuri has asked me to serve as the general counsel of the NIGC,” said Shepard. “I look forward to continuing my work with the talented and committed attorneys and staff of the Office of General Counsel. I am committed to serving my client, the commission, as well as maintaining and building relationships with tribes, tribal regulators and the Indian gaming industry.”
