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Gaming Guru
Granholm Appoints Kalm MGCB Executive Director11 April 2007
On March 29, Gov. Jennifer Granholm announced the appointment of Richard S. Kalm as executive director of the Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB). Mr. Kalm has an extensive background in law enforcement, and currently serves as chief of staff for the Macomb County Sheriff's Office. Prior to becoming chief of staff, he served as deputy sheriff, lieutenant, sergeant, corporal, captain and division commander. Mr. Kalm received an associate degree in law enforcement and a bachelor's degree from Wayne State University. He is also a graduate of the Michigan Leadership Academy and the F.B.I. National Academy, Quantico, Virginia. He is a member of the Southeastern Michigan Chiefs of Police, the Association of Public Safety Communications Officers, the Michigan Antiterrorism Task Force. As executive director, Mr. Kalm will be responsible for overseeing the regulation of the three Detroit casinos - MotorCity Casino, MGM Grand Detroit Casino and Greektown Casino. He will supervise the MGCB staff, which is responsible for licensing all gaming related suppliers as well as certain nongaming suppliers working with the casinos. Mr. Kalm will also coordinate Board responsibilities with the Michigan State Police and Michigan attorney general's office together with the IRS and city of Detroit. Mr. Kalm's duties will also consist of overseeing Michigan's Native American casinos in accordance with the terms of the Tribal State Gaming Compacts. Mr. Kalm has been appointed to a six-year term, subject to the Michigan Senate approval as outlined in the Michigan Gaming Control and Revenue Act. He will succeed Daniel Gustafson, who resigned in September 2006, to become the president and CEO of the Health Care Association of Michigan. Since Mr. Gustafson's departure, the Board authorized Tom Barker, deputy director of administration, to perform several of the important ongoing daily functions of the executive director. At the April 10th MGCB meeting, Board Chair Damian Kassab commended Mr. Barker for the fine work he has done in the interim, and noted that he hopes Mr. Kalm will officially assume the position prior to the next Board meeting, scheduled for May 8. Mr. Kassab noted that the Senate needs to approve the appointment, and with spring break occurring over the last two weeks, the Senate has not been in session. The MGCB is entering its tenth year of operation, and during this time period the Board and its staff have developed a comprehensive system for ensuring the integrity of Michigan's Detroit casinos. The vacancy created by the departure of Mr. Gustafson placed additional responsibilities on both the staff and the individual members of the Board. They met the challenge, and the Board has continued to operate in a manner that protects Michigan's casino industry and ensures proper protections. Recent Articles
David Waddell |
David Waddell |