Sandoval names former casino exec to state Gaming Commission

Gov. Brian Sandoval today appointed a former longtime Northern Nevada casino executive to replace Joe Brown on the state Gaming Commission.

Michonne Ascuaga, the former CEO of John Ascuaga’s Nugget in Sparks, is filling the spot vacated by Brown, who announced last week that he was stepping down after more than six years of service.

The governor had reappointed Brown in 2013, so Ascuaga will complete the rest of his term, which ends in April 2017.

At the same time, Sandoval reappointed Patricia Mulroy to the commission for a four-year term. Mulroy, the former general manager of the Southern Nevada Water Authority, replaced Peter Bernhard on the commission last year.

Sandoval said in a statement he was pleased Ascuaga accepted the position and “greatly value her willingness to step into public service at a critical time for the gaming community. I am confident that she will be an effective regulator and important voice on the commission.”

Ascuaga has a lengthy background of casino industry experience. She started as a front desk clerk at age 13 and worked her way up to the CEO post in 1997. A resident of Reno, she’s also the chairman of the Washoe K-12 Education Foundation.

“I have worked in gaming all of my life and am honored to be appointed to such a prestigious board,” Ascuaga said in the statement.

“As a former licensee for over a decade, I hold a deep respect for the Commission and look forward to this new challenge as an industry regulator,” said said.

Sandoval also praised Brown for bringing a “wealth of knowledge” to his work as a gaming regulator. He said Brown proved to be a “fair and thoughtful” commissioner during “exceptional times” for the casino industry.

Gaming

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