Global Gaming Expo (G2E) Advisory Board Member Bios

Andy Abboud is the vice president of government relations and community development for Las Vegas Sands Corporation (LVSC). Previously, Abboud served as director of government relations and community development for the Venetian Resort Hotel Casino. He began his career working on local, state and federal campaigns in the late 1980s and continued to serve in leadership roles in politics through 1998. Abboud has been instrumental in instituting The Venetian and LVSC's political and community development activities and oversees the company's political activity and lobbying efforts in Washington, D.C., and across the United States. He has been at the forefront of several of the company's political and community initiatives, including the creation and development of LVSC's responsible gaming program. Abboud is active in several civil and charitable organizations and serves on the board of directors for the Problem Gambling Center, Three Square Foundation, Got Your Back Network and the Sands Foundation.

Nehme E. Abouzeid is the director of entertainment business development for Las Vegas Sands Corp. (LVS). In this capacity he is responsible for scouting, negotiating and contracting headliner talent as well as developing branded entertainment content for the company's resorts in the United States and Asia. Recent deals have included music (Kelly Clarkson, Fergie, Marc Cohn), comedy (David Spade, Joan Rivers, Craig Ferguson), theater ("A Bronx Tale"), PBS concerts, ESPN shows and celebrity-hosted events. A former journalist, he has been with LVS since 2004. He holds a bachelor's degree from George Washington University and a master's in business administration from Babson College.

Paulo A. Azevedo is executive director, publisher and founder of Macau Business magazine. Azevedo has been a professional journalist for 20 years, spending 14 of those as an Asian correspondent for a Lisbon political radio station and major Portuguese newspapers and magazines. Serving as a Macau analyst with RTHK, he was also a contributor to the former Asiaweek magazine. His small media group publishes two other magazines, runs events and is now entering the hospitality field.

Patricia Becker is executive director of the International Gaming Institute at the University of Nevada at Las Vegas. In addition, she operates Patricia Becker & Associates, a gaming consulting firm that specializes in compliance and regulatory issues. She is on the board of Cash Systems, Inc. and is the independent member of Bally Technologies, Inc. compliance committee. Becker has held numerous executive positions including roles with Aladdin Gaming and Harrah's. She has received numerous professional awards and is a past president of the International Association of Gaming Attorneys. In 2004, Becker was inducted as a counselor in the International Association of Gaming Attorneys.

Clinton Ford Billups, Jr. is president of CFB Productions Inc, where he serves as a personal manager and television producer. He has more than 30 years of experience in entertainment, broadcasting and marketing communications. Billups also is a founder and producer of EventPro Forum, the annual Las Vegas conference for live event producers. A frequent participant at entertainment industry trade events, he has been quoted in publications ranging from The Wall Street Journal to The New Yorker and Amusement Business. Billups was elected in 2002 as the national president of the National Conference of Personal Managers. He is a graduate of Lafayette College and studied business management at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. He also is a graduate of the Connecticut Police Academy and served as both a municipal and state law enforcement officer.

Mark Birtha is president of Sol Casinos and the AVA Amphitheater in Tucson, AZ. A highly regarded gaming and hospitality executive with over 18 years of experience, Birtha's career has spanned both operations and development at the leading casino and hotel companies including Mirage Resorts, Las Vegas Sands, Marriott International and Starwood. Birtha focuses on the strategic vision for the organization and has general management responsibilities for the operations of Casino Del Sol, Casino of the Sun, and the 5,000 seat AVA Amphitheater. In addition, he oversees the design, construction and operations of Casino Del Sol's $130M hotel expansion development. The new project, which broke ground in April 2010, will include a hotel with 215 rooms and suites, a 50,000 square foot conference center, 5 new F&B venues, nightclub, a pool and day club, spa and fitness center, high limit gaming salon, parking garage with 1,100 spots, poker room renovation, warehouse and laundry operation. Birtha graduated from the Hotel School at Cornell University with a Bachelor of Science Degree and as a Merrill Presidential Scholar. In 2011, he was appointed President of the national executive board of the Cornell Hotel Society, the 85 year old alumni association that represents 14,000 Hotel School graduates from around the world. Birtha has been a regular lecturer in The Cornell Hotel School's Casino Operations and Marketing classes and a featured speaker at multiple gaming, condo/real estate, and hotel conferences. In 2006, he was recognized as one of the "Top 40 Under 40" business executives in Las Vegas by In Business Las Vegas Magazine. He is a member of the UNLV Golf Foundation and the Nevada Tourism Alliance, as well as AHLA/ARA and MPI in Arizona. He is also managing editor of the Retail, Dining and Entertainment publication, and has written editorial pieces for Global Gaming Business, Casino Design, Retail, Dining & Entertainment, Casino and Gaming International, Hotel Yearbook 2010, the Morowitz Quarterly, Urbino.net, and other publications.

Gary Border is president and founder of Marketing Results, Inc., a casino marketing agency founded in 1988 dedicated to superior database marketing execution, brand management consulting and analysis. Border launched his career in research in 1975, studying consumer behavior and developing targeted marketing solutions for major broadcast, banking and foodservice industry clients. He began studying gamblers for Harrah's Entertainment in 1980, applying gambler modeling and database marketing solutions to help casinos understand market segments and associated brand benefits. Border also develops software applications for casino clients, including Advanced Intelligence Marketing, his best known customer relationship management application.

Chuck Bragitikos is president of Vibrant Development Group. During his career, he has worked with gaming companies, REITs, private developers, professional sports teams and the public sector on conceiving and developing retail, dining and entertainment destinations. Bragitikos' current work includes acting as strategic advisor and owner's representative for Revel Entertainment and Morgan Stanley on the development of a $2 billion resort in Atlantic City, N.J. He earned his master's degree in business administration at the University of Pennsylvania.

Julie Brinkerhoff-Jacobs is president and chief financial officer of Lifescapes International, Inc., a leading landscape architectural design firm that has created some of the most dynamic casino resorts, retail centers and mixed-use developments throughout the United States and abroad. Brinkerhoff-Jacobs is a well-known speaker and author on design issues.

Michael Caselli is the founder and managing editor of iGaming Business and Bluff Europe magazines. Caselli has been involved in the gaming industry since 1996 when he completed his graduate degree work, studying the viability of gaming on the Internet, at the University of London. Since then, he has helped to successfully launch several online and print gaming publications. Caselli has chaired dozens of major international gaming conferences and has appeared on such media outlets as CNBC and the BBC as an Internet gaming expert.

Kathleen Caudell is the corporate director of training and development at Herbst Gaming, Inc., with responsibility for development and implementation of organizational initiatives that positively impact the advancement, performance and retention of management and staff. Prior to joining Herbst, Caudell held HR leadership positions at Boyd Gaming and Coast Casinos.

Tom Cantone is vice president of entertainment at Mohegan Sun and a 25-year veteran of the casino, entertainment, theme park, hotel and resort industries. Prior to his current role, Cantone served as vice president of Foxwoods Entertainment Group. Cantone launched his career working in senior corporate marketing roles at Hershey Entertainment and Resort Company and Sands Hotel and Casino. Donald Trump then recruited Cantone to become the vice president of entertainment, promotions and advertising for Trump Castle Casino Resort and ultimately promoted him to corporate vice president of entertainment for all three Trump properties. Cantone went on to help establish the Planet Hollywood brand. He has received numerous industry awards and serves on the gaming conference advisory board for G2E. Cantone is a graduate of Pennsylvania State University .

John Ceresani is a principal partner of The Pharos Group, LLC, an organizational and leadership development/coaching consulting firm. Since its formation in 2005, its client list includes such companies as the El Conquistador Resort and Golden Door Spa, Foxwoods Resort Casino and Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. Ceresani's gaming and human resources career spans 25 years with his most recent assignment as regional senior vice president of organizational development for Caesars Entertainment.

Raj Chandnani oversees strategic planning and consulting for Wimberly Allison Tong & Goo (WATG). He has a wide range of hospitality industry expertise focusing on diverse segments, including consumer trends, travel and tourism, gaming, timeshare, residential and spas. Chandnani has specialized in commercial real estate and hotel advisory services since 1994. Prior to joining WATG, Chandnani was an associate director with Insignia/ESG Hotel Partners, where he spent six years in a variety of capacities including asset management, investment sales, financings and portfolio due diligence. He was previously with PKF Consulting in Los Angeles , and also has taught classes on strategic planning, financial management, real estate finance, hotel development and tourism at UCLA, USC and Cornell University. Chandnani is a regional vice president for the Cornell Hotel Society and a member of the planning committee for the Americas Lodging Investment Summit (ALIS). He is a graduate of Cornell University 's School of Hotel Administration.

Beth Deighan is the president of Casino Careers, LLC. Deighan has over 18 years of senior management experience in the gaming industry and has opened two casino resorts. She has held the positions of executive director of marketing, director of human resources and director of casino administration. Deighan earned her bachelor's and master's degrees in communications from Rowan University and is a graduate of the Babson College executive program in human resources. She also possesses certification in employee relations law from the Institute for Applied Management and Law.

Wes Ehrecke, CAE, is president and CEO of the Iowa Gaming Association (IGA) and a 31-year veteran of the association management profession. Prior to joining the IGA, his experience included all facets of association management, including service as executive vice president and CEO of the Minnesota Bankers Association, executive vice president and general manger of the Iowa Association of Electric Cooperative, and senior vice president of the Iowa Bankers Association. Ehrecke has served as a director and officer on numerous foundation and professional boards, including the American and Iowa Societies of Association Executives. He is a graduate of Iowa State University and the Institute for Organizational Management at Notre Dame.

Christie Eickelman is the senior director of worldwide marketing for Gaming Laboratories International, Inc. (GLI). In her position Eickelman is responsible for the coordination and implementation of all GLI marketing programs globally. Her responsibilities include developing the corporate theme and establishing and coordinating the marketing function in accordance with GLI's policies, regulations, and sound business practices. Previously, Eickelman worked as the marketing manager for Sodak Gaming, Inc. now IGT. She also worked for Wolf Gaming, LLC. as vice president of marketing and public relations.

Keli Elkins is director of special projects for the American Gaming Association (AGA). In this capacity, Elkins serves as the association's primary liaison for all Global Gaming Expo (G2E) events, and organizes the annual Gaming Hall of Fame dinner and National Center for Responsible Gaming (NCRG) Conference on Gambling and Addiction. Additionally, she coordinates or serves as the member liaison for such association activities as diversity, government affairs and state relations, various federal issues and the association's works as it relates to the NCRG. Elkins has worked for the AGA since June 2002. She holds a bachelor's degree in communications and psychology from Vanderbilt University.

Alan M. Feldman serves as senior vice president of public affairs for MGM MIRAGE. In this capacity, he is the company's principal spokesperson and is responsible for overseeing all public relations efforts for the Las Vegas-based publicly traded hotel and gaming company. Previously, Feldman served as the senior account supervisor at Hill and Knowlton, one of the world's largest public relations consultancies. Feldman's work has received numerous awards including a prestigious Silver Anvil for Excellence in International Public Relations for a project on behalf of the city of West Berlin , Germany. He also is currently a member of the board of directors of KNPR, the National Public Radio affiliate in Las Vegas, the board of the Las Vegas Performing Arts Center Foundation, the executive committee of the Las Vegas Centennial Commission, the advisory board for the Nevada Council on Problem Gambling, and the board of directors of the National Center for Responsible Gaming. Feldman received a bachelor's degree from UCLA.

Jason Gastwirth is the vice president and executive associate to the chairman, president and CEO of Caesars Entertainment Corporation. Previously he was the chief marketing officer at Palms Casino Resort, where he oversaw property marketing, hotel sales, revenue management, e-commerce, public relations, entertainment and sponsorships. Gastwirth has also worked with the executive team at the Venetian and Palazzo, most recently as vice president of casino marketing and corporate entertainment, where he was responsible for expanding the high-value gaming customer base and driving player visitation frequency. Gastwirth also negotiated entertainment deals for shows for Las Vegas Sands' properties in Las Vegas, Macao and Singapore. Before joining the gaming industry, he held positions at Booz Allen Hamilton and Gap Inc. Gastwirth graduated with honors from Harvard University and earned his master's degree at Stanford University.

Jason Giles is a tribal citizen of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation located in Oklahoma and deputy executive director/general counsel for the National Indian Gaming Association. Giles attended the United States Military Academy and law school at University of Wisconsin-Madison. Upon graduating from law school in 2000, Giles began his legal career as an associate attorney at a labor law firm in Honolulu , Hawaii., where he focused on labor law, real estate law, and bankruptcy issues. He is currently a member of the Wisconsin , Hawaii and Oklahoma bar associations.

Roger Gros is publisher of Global Gaming Business magazine, the leading trade publication for the gaming industry, published by Casino Connection International (CCI). Global Gaming Business also publishes Global Gaming Business Weekly, the industry's only weekly e-magazine, and Casino Connection, the national magazine for casino employees. Before joining CCI, Gros was president of Inlet Communications, an independent consulting firm. He was vice president of Casino Journal Publishing Group from 1984-2000 and has served as editor of Casino Journal, the National Gaming Summary and Casino Player magazines. Gros was a co-founder of the American Gaming Summit and the Southern Gaming Summit conferences and trade shows. He was named "Businessman of the Year" for 1998 by the Greater Atlantic City Chamber of Commerce and is the author of How to Win at Casino Gambling, published in 1998 by Carlton Books.

Fredric E. Gushin is founder of Spectrum Gaming, for which he has worked with a variety of private sector and governmental clients. He has advised private casino developers on operational and management issues and provided gaming expertise to a number of gaming jurisdictions over the years. Gushin worked for many years with the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement where he was promoted to assistant director and assistant attorney general. During his thirteen-year career with the division, he oversaw the openings of twelve Atlantic City casino hotels and managed civil and administrative litigation before the New Jersey Casino Control Commission. He has personally argued more than fifty cases before the commission. Gushin also serves as a member of the Oneida Indian Nation Gaming Commission, which regulates the highly successful Turning Stone Resort Casino near Syracuse , Ny .

Rochanne L. Hackett is Managing Director, National Gaming Development, in the Gaming Division at Wells Fargo Bank. In this role, Hackett is responsible for developing relationships and providing innovative financing solutions for Native American and commercial gaming operators across the country. She has been involved in providing more than $10 billion of capital for at least 30 tribes and commercial gaming companies, and has 30 years of banking and finance experience.

Julian Harris is a partner at Harris Hagan. Recognized as a leading expert in national and international gambling and licensing law, Harris is highly regarded by operators and regulators throughout the world. He and John Hagan are the founding partners of Harris Hagan, the first U.K. law firm specializing in legal services to the gambling and leisure industries. With more than 20 years experience in gambling law, Harris has advised some of the world's largest gaming and entertainment industry corporations as well as trade associations, including the British Casino Association and the Casino Operators' Association of the U.K. In addition, Harris is an experienced advocate, a respected and sought-after conference speaker, and the author of numerous articles and papers for gaming and legal publications. Harris is a trustee and general counsel of the International Association of Gaming Advisors.

Dean Hestermann is the corporate director of public affairs for Harrah's Entertainment Inc., providing strategic guidance for the company on a variety of public policy and corporate social responsibility issues, including responsible gaming. He has been with Harrah's in various communications, government relations, and issues management positions since 1992. He is a recipient of The Chairman's Award, the company's highest honor, and serves on the board of directors of the National Council on Problem Gambling.

Simon Holiday is a director at H2 Gambling Capital, a specialist consultancy and supplier of data and market intelligence for the global gaming industry. During the past decades, Holliday has worked with over 500 organizations in the gaming industry. He is a speaker at major international industry conferences and regularly visits major gambling markets on fact finding trips. In addition, Holiday has worked as a consultant in the due diligence and investor education process in many of the industry's major financial transactions during the past seven years. Previously, Holiday was a partner at GBGC, which he co-founded in 1999. Prior to this, he held consulting roles in the leisure industry.

Donald Hoover is a professor at Fairleigh Dickinson University's International School of Hospitality and Tourism Management. In addition, he is a vice president of placement consulting with Gaming Hospitality Experts and has more than 20 years of experience recruiting talent in the gaming sector. Hoover holds a bachelor's degree from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and a master's degree from Fairleigh Dickinson University. He is currently pursuing a doctoral degree in organizational leadership.

Thomas A. Jingoli joined Konami Gaming, Inc. (KGI) in June 2003 as the Sr. Director of Compliance. In this capacity, he directs and coordinates activities of the Compliance Department which oversees regulatory and technical compliance, as well as the company's quality assurance laboratory. He also serves as the Compliance Officer for KGI, Konami Australia Pty Ltd and Konami Corporation. Mr. Jingoli has been involved with the gaming industry since 1990. He was an Agent with the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement from 1900 to 1994. Mr. Jingoli attended the William F. Harrah College of Hotel Administration at the University of Nevada Las Vegas where he received a Masters degree in Hotel Administration.

Mike Johnson is director of sales and industry development for all Global Gaming Expo (G2E) events at Reed Exhibitions, the world's leading events organizer. In this capacity he is responsible for all portfolio revenue via management of exhibition, advertising, sponsorship, and conference sales for G2E and G2E Asia, the largest international casino gaming events on either side of the world. He is also responsible for the development of the annual conference programs at each G2E event, which are widely considered the finest educational programs of their kind in the industry. During his time with Reed, Johnson has managed a diverse portfolio of business across the United States and Asia, ranging from security to eyecare, spas, and medical aesthetics. He is a certified audiovisual technician and lighting designer, having worked previously at Scholastic, Inc. and the law offices of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom, LLP. He is also a regular moderator of industry webinars, and a guest lecturer at various universities on the development of the MICE industry (meetings, incentives, conventions, exhibitions) as a business and tourism driver throughout the world.

Connie Jones is director of responsible gaming for International Game Technology, a global company specializing in the design, development, manufacturing, distribution and sales of computerized gaming machines and systems products. A member of the board of the National Council on Problem Gambling, Jones was recognized by Casino Enterprise Management magazine as one of its Great Women in Gaming.

Kerry Koenig is executive director of the International Association of Gaming Advisors (IAGA). In this capacity, she oversees the day to day business of the association, including membership solicitation, corporate sponsorship fundraising, conference planning and execution, and website development. Prior to joining IAGA, she was a paralegal with Aladdin Gaming, LLC. Koenig holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Nebraska and a certificate of paralegal studies from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

Ben Lee is the managing partner of IGamiX Management & Consulting, based in Macau. Previously, Lee served as vice president of casino marketing for the Venetian Macau. Lee has extensive gaming marketing experience in Asia and Australia, and has spent the last six years covering new gaming projects throughout the region. His clients include Harrah's Entertainment, Asian Coast Development Ltd., Intercity and the 7Luck group of casinos in South Korea.

Jane Lee is a managing partner at American Project Management, LLC. Lee has 30 years experience in marketing, business development and management in the global financial, investor relations, design and construction industries. Her clients include architects, interior designers, owner's representatives, specialty contractors and owners for a variety of gaming projects.

Bill Lerner is a managing director and senior gaming and lodging analyst at Deutsche Bank. Lerner formerly worked at Prudential as the senior gaming, lodging and leisure analyst. In addition, he is a member of Institutional Investor's 2007 all-American research team. Lerner earned his bachelor's degree from Syracuse University and a master's degree from Boston University .

Michael Lipton is a senior partner of Dickinson Wright LLP, leading the Canadian gaming law group. For more than 20 years, he has served as senior counsel on several gaming law matters, including advising on requests for proposals from government to operate casinos and applicants seeking registration with Canadian regulatory authorities. He regularly represents governments, lottery corporations and gaming equipment suppliers and manufacturers, and counsels licensees throughout North America on gaming compliance issues. Since 2008, Lipton has been recognized by his peers for inclusion in Best Lawyers in Canada and by Chambers Global for his expertise in gaming law. He is an editor of Canadian Gaming Lawyer, has authored many articles on gaming law and delivered papers at gaming law conferences around the world. Lipton is a founding member and past president of the International Masters of Gaming Law.

Lloyd D. Levenson is the chairman of the casino law department and chief executive officer of Cooper Levenson law firm. An accomplished trial attorney and recognized expert in complex casino regulatory matters, Levenson is also a well-published author and frequent speaker on a broad range of industry legal issues, with a client list that includes casinos, sovereign governments, casino professionals and suppliers to the casino industry. Levenson has received numerous awards and holds several key positions in vital organizations that set worldwide standards, both nationally and internationally. He has twice served as chairman of the casino law section of the New Jersey Bar Association and also has served as chairman of the Gaming Law Committee of the American Bar Association. He earned his bachelor's degree from Lafayette College and his law degree from Georgetown University .

Dean M. Macomber is president of consulting firm Macomber International. He has over 30 years of diversified experience in the gaming industry ranging from dealer to president, development to operations, and pre-opening to post opening management. He has worked in numerous domestic and international venues involving small, locals-oriented casinos, racinos, Native American projects, urban/day trip operations, and mega-destination resorts. A frequent speaker, he has delivered over 50 speeches, taught college-level courses on casino management, and authored 11 articles. Macomber holds a masters degree from Cornell University .

Luigi Mastropietro is the vice president of relationship marketing for Global Cash Access (GCA). In this role, he created GCA's casino marketing services division, which is considered a primary, quality source for prospecting for new casino players and for applying database marketing and customer service solutions to casinos in all gaming jurisdictions.

Jana McKeag is president of Lowry Strategies and a partner in The Franklin Partnership. She is a former member of the National Indian Gaming Commission and has worked on Indian issues for more than 30 years. McKeag also writes a political column for Casino Journal and sits on the G2E conference advisory board. She is a member of the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma and a graduate of Gettysburg College and Harvard University.

Patricia Merl is director of gaming outreach for the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) International Gaming Institute, where she is responsible for the design, development and implementation of online courses, webinars, programs and seminars. Merl also teaches event and entertainment marketing, production and operational management, and entertainment in media as an adjunct faculty member on the entertainment studies committee in the Tourism and Convention Department at UNLV's William F. Harrah College of Hotel Administration. Additionally, she provides production operations and marketing consultation for major companies in Las Vegas and Sydney, Australia. Previously, Merl served as executive assistant to the vice president of hotel sales and marketing for Wynn Las Vegas, vice president of operations and marketing for Farrington Productions, Inc., national marketing director for Circus Vargas and general production manager for Miller Reich Productions, Inc. Merl was a CSEP certification examiner for five years and has chaired several committees for the International Special Event Society in Las Vegas as well as served on the certification committee of the international board.

Ed Micone is a lead agent at the Paradigm Talent Agency, overseeing personal appearances for casinos and performing arts centers. Micone previously served as executive vice president and producer of Radio City Entertainment, which he joined after a successful career at ICM where he was responsible for guiding the careers of Billy Crystal, Robin Williams and Dana Carvey. Micone was also an original producer of such events as Billy Crystal's Broadway hit "700 Sundays," and six Super Bowl half-time shows. Micone has been recognized for his pioneering accomplishments in the entertainment industry and received numerous awards for his work, including Pollstar and Billboard's Presenter and Promoter of the Year.

Courtney Muller is a senior vice president at Reed Exhibitions. Her portfolio includes gaming events: Global Gaming Expo, G2E Asia; as well as BookExpoAmerica, the North American book publishing convention and the Vision Expos, North Americas leading eye-care events. Muller has worked in the trade show and event industry for 16 years, spending 13 of those years at Reed Exhibitions. Muller has earned numerous accolades and awards in her years in the exhibit industry, including both the President's Award and the Chairman's Award at Reed Exhibitions.

Lloyd Nathan is the CEO of Asian Coast Development Ltd (ACDL), an international development and gaming company specializing in real estate and integrated resort destinations. Previously, Nathan was president of MGM MIRAGE Global Gaming Development, where he was responsible for worldwide gaming expansion as well as the company's footprint across Asia. Nathan spent the first 10 years of his career as a dual-qualified U.S. and U.K. lawyer working in London for Slaughter and May and in Los Angeles for both Glaser Weil and Loeb & Loeb. His experience also includes five years running the corporate development divisions for two New York-based companies, expanding their leisure and technology businesses globally. He graduated with honors from the London School of Economics and The Law Society of England's College of Law. He is an attorney at law of the State Bar of California and a solicitor of the Supreme Court of England and Wales.

Judy L. Patterson is senior vice president and executive director of the American Gaming Association (AGA). In this capacity, Patterson administers the association's day-to-day activities and has set up industry task forces to study issues as diverse as taxes, bank secrecy act provisions, communications and responsible gaming. She was instrumental in the organization of the National Center for Responsible Gaming, an independent, nonprofit organization that administers the nation's only peer-reviewed research grants program focused exclusively on problem and underage gambling. She also was a key player in the creation of Global Gaming Expo (G2E), and has led the development of the event into the largest and most successful gaming industry conference and trade show in the world. In addition, she has shepherded the expansion of the G2E family of events to include G2E Institute and G2E Asia. Patterson also works with consultants, academic institutions and state gaming associations to develop independent studies of gaming issues.

Prior to joining the AGA, Patterson served as special assistant to the president of the American Bar Association (ABA), where she continued her involvement with developing public-private partnerships to build and sustain support for justice system improvements; she also served the ABA as director of the Public Liaison Office.

Patterson is a co-founder and member of the board of directors of the D.C. Coalition Against Drugs and Violence.

A summa cum laude graduate of Wichita State University (1974) and a cum laude graduate of the Georgetown University Law Center , (1985), she also holds a master's degree in education from Boston University (1975). Patterson is a member of the Washington , D.C. , and Maryland bar associations. She lives in Bethesda , Md. , with her son and daughter.

Marcus Prater is the executive director for the Association of Gaming Equipment Manufacturers (AGEM), a trade organization comprised of top gaming industry suppliers. Prater most recently served as senior vice president of marketing for Bally Technologies, Inc., where he spent nine years directing Bally's global advertising, trade show, machine and systems sales support, media relations and special event functions. Prior to joining Bally in 1999, Prater served as director of marketing for Las Vegas-based slot supplier Sigma Game, Inc. He earned his bachelor's degree in journalism from the University of Oregon.

James Rafferty is a 29 year veteran of the casino industry and principal of Rafferty & Associates. From 1988 to 2001, he served as senior vice president of corporate marketing for Harvey 's Casino Resorts in Lake Tahoe. He also has held senior management positions with Summa, Harrah's, Showboat and Delaware North Companies. He has written extensively about casino marketing and management, and has consulted of those subjects throughout North America . His recent focus on the Purse supplements in racino Statesand has been published in Global Gaming Business. Rafferty holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Nevada , Las Vegas , and a master's degree from Rutgers University.

Dick Rizzo is vice chairman for Perini Building Company. With over 40 years of experience, he has extensive knowledge of the construction industry. His role has been crucial in helping Perini become a leader in this hospitality and gaming.

Adam Rosenberg is a managing director and global head of the Gaming Group at Goldman, Sachs & Co. In this role, he provides strategic and financial advice to the firm's casino operator, gaming technology and equipment manufacturer clients. Rosenberg's clients include gaming operators such as Las Vegas Sands, Kerzner International, Harrah's Entertainment and Station Casinos, as well as gaming technology and equipment manufacturers including International Game Technology, Bally Technologies, GTECH Corporation and Scientific Games. Prior to Goldman Sachs, Rosenberg was an attorney with Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom's New York office. He received his law degree from Harvard University and his bachelor's degree from the University of Pennsylvania.

Bruce Rowe is the senior vice president of business development for Bally Technologies. He is also president of Renaissance Casino Solutions, Inc., a Nevada-based consulting company offering services to several sectors of the gaming industry. Rowe has held key positions at Harrah's and the GTECH Corporation. Rowe also has participated in the openings of 16 domestic and international casinos during his career. He is a member of the International Gaming Advisory Board.

Max Rubin is one of eight living members of the Blackjack Hall of Fame and the award-winning author of Comp City: A Guide to Free Gambling Vacations. With nearly 40 years in the gaming industry as a casino veteran, gaming consultant and television celebrity, he serves as the expert commentator on CBS' Ultimate Blackjack Tour and has designed, developed and hosted numerous highly profitable casino tournaments.

Robert Russell is a gaming analyst at Regulatory Management Counselors, P.C. In this role, Russell focuses primarily on the gaming industry where he assists in developing systems to ensure that companies remain compliant. His expertise includes casino supplier licensing, licensing transfers, non-compliance appeals, Internet trademark licensing agreements, issue management, association management, legislative monitoring and lobbying.

Matt Savage is the tournament director for Savage Tournaments and the executive tour director at World Poker Tour. Savage is a leading authority on running world-class poker tournaments and in 2003, he was awarded the inaugural Benny Binion award for outstanding service in the poker industry. Savage has appeared on more than 400 televised poker shows on ESPN, GSN, Fox Sports and the Travel Channel, and hosted the nationally televised show "Inside Poker."

John Schadler is a managing partner at Schadler Kramer Group (SK+G). Prior to his current role, Schadler was vice president of advertising for Mirage Resorts. Schadler founded SK+G in 1999 and works with clients such as MGM Grand Las Vegas, Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa, Montage Hotels & Resorts and Palms Casino Resort.

Scott D. Schweinfurth is the executive vice president and chief financial officer at WMS Industries. Prior to joining WMS, Schweinfurth served as senior vice president, chief financial officer and treasurer of Las Vegas-based Bally Technologies. Schweinfurth is a member of the Accountancy Advisory Group at Miami University, where he earned his bachelor of science degree.

Katherine A. Spilde, Ph.D., is endowed chair of the Sycuan Institute on Tribal Gaming at San Diego State University, where she is also an associate professor in the School of Hospitality and Tourism Management. Previously, Spilde was executive director of the Center for California Native Nations at UC- Riverside and was also a senior research associate at Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government. Prior to her appointment at Harvard, she was the director of research for the National Indian Gaming Association (NIGA). In addition, Spilde was a policy analyst and writer for the National Gambling Impact Study Commission, a federal commission that produced a comprehensive study of U.S. gambling policy for Congress in 1999. She received her undergraduate degree from the University of Hawaii, a master's degree from George Washington University, a Ph.D. in anthropology from the University of California in Santa Cruz and an M.B.A. from UCR.

Ernie Stebbins has served as executive director of the Washington Indian Gaming Association since April 2003. He began his non-profit management career as the executive director of the National Hardwood Lumber Association in Memphis and was the founding executive vice president of the Hardwood Forest Foundation, a non-profit public educational foundation. In 1997, he was recruited by the nearby Mississippi casino industry to start up and establish the Mississippi Gaming Association, where he served as executive director before going to work for the Washington Tribes.

Ernest L. Stevens, Jr. is the chairman and national spokesman for the National Indian Gaming Association (NIGA) in Washington, DC . Reelected by acclamation in 2005, Stevens is now serving his third two-year term as the organization's leader. NIGA, established in 1985, is a non-profit organization of 184 Indian Nations with other non-voting associate members representing tribes and businesses engaged in tribal gaming enterprises from around the country. From 1993 to 1999 Stevens was an elected councilman for the Oneida Nation of Wisconsin. He is a former first vice-president of the National Congress of American Indians. As a respected leader in Indian country, Stevens also serves on the Native American Rights Fund National Support Committee, is a board member of the National Indian Child Welfare Association, serves on the Native American Advisory Board of the Boys and Girls Club of America, the National Indian Telecommunications Institute, and is honorary chair of the Institute of American Indian Arts, National Support Committee. Stevens is a staunch advocate for all tribal colleges and is currently leading a campaign to garner financial and corporate support for Haskell Indian Nations University. Stevens has earned an Associate's degree from Haskell Indian Nations University and a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice from Mount Senario College . He is an enrolled member of the Oneida Nation of Wisconsin.

Roy Student is the president of Applied Management Strategies and a 36-year veteran of the gaming industry. Most recently, he was the president of Cyberview Technology, a leading hardware, software and systems developer for the gaming industry. Student was also one of the founders of Gaming Systems International (GSI), a worldwide leader in the development and implementation of casino management systems. During his career, he has worked in senior positions at Siemans Nixdorf, Dirson Enterprises and Intermark Gaming. In addition, Student has extensive experience as a speaker at global gaming and wagering conferences. He earned his bachelor's degree from the New York Institute of Technology and completed the executive management training program at the University of Pennsylvania.

Richard Thalheimer, Ph.D., is a nationally recognized expert in the economics of racing, gaming and the combination of the two at racino locations. Thalheimer is president of Thalheimer Research Associates, Inc., an economic research and consulting firm in Lexington , Ky. He has been involved in economic research and consulting for more than 30 years. More recently, he was a subcontractor to the Swiss Institute of Comparative Law for the economic portion of a report investigating barriers to gaming in the European Union. Results of Thalheimer's research on racing and gaming have been widely published in racing and gaming industry publications as well as in academic journals.

Humberto Trueba is the former senior vice president of human resources for Pinnacle Entertainment. Previously, he was national training and performance director for Citicard, a division of Citigroup Inc., and held various senior-level positions in human resources and training for TeleTech, a global customer relationship and outsourcing solutions company. Trueba is certified in human resources, training and organizational development by the Society for Human Resource Management. He holds a bachelor's degree and master's degree from Kansas State University as well as an executive master's degree in business administration from the University of Denver.

Jim Wise is senior vice president of marketing for Seneca Gaming Corporation, leading all aspects of marketing for Seneca's three New York gaming operations. Previously, Wise served as vice president of marketing for Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs, as corporate director of communications for Argosy Gaming and as director of corporate marketing for Hollywood Casino Corporation. Wise began his gaming career in Atlantic City, N.J., and now has 20 years of successful marketing and communications experience at the corporate and property level.

Alan W. Zajic is an independent Nevada licensed security consultant with more than 30 years of practical experience in the security industry, primarily in the gaming environment. He has worked from entry level to administrative executive management, including hotel operations and corporate security. Zajic started his career in the contract security field where he conducted security surveys audits and performed security services for all types of businesses and venues. He is a member of ASIS International, serving as vice chairman of the gaming and wagering council. He also is an advisory board for the Global Gaming Expo (G2E) Conference, where he leads the security & surveillance program. Zajic is a nationally recognized speaker in the areas of security and surveillance and is frequently requested to testify as an expert in gaming related lawsuits.