Mich. Senate approves appointment of Richard Kalm as Executive Director of MGCB

On May 10, 2007, the Michigan Senate voted (36-0) to approve the appointment of Richard Kalm as the new executive director of the Michigan Gaming Control Board. The full Senate roll call vote occurred following a similar unanimous vote (7-0) of the Senate Economic Development and Regulatory Reform Committee. Prior to the vote, the committee conducted a hearing in which Kalm answered a variety of questions.

As background, Kalm has extensive experience 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. 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 and the Detroit Chamber of Commerce Tourism Action Group.

Below are several excerpts from the comments Mr. Kalm made to the Senate Economic Development and Regulatory Reform Committee on May 9, concerning his current responsibilities in Macomb County:

"I am truly honored to be selected by the governor to serve the people of the State of Michigan& Currently I am employed in public service as Chief of Staff of the Macomb county Sheriffs office. This position is an Executive/Command position within the department acting as third in command under the elected Sheriff. We provide primary law enforcement and emergency dispatch services to 160,000 people. We are also charged with the care and custody of Inmates in the county jail, and the delivery of secondary public safety services to the whole county. My responsibilities include insuring the efficient delivery of those services along with managing a $61,000,0000 budget as well as overseeing 3 divisions: Investigations and Administration, Uniform Services and Jail Operations. These divisions consist of over 500 employees. I am also responsible for labor negotiations, human resource management and coordination of resources to maximize our services while remaining fiscally responsible. I have formulated policies and procedures along with best practices for the organization. In addition I have kept abreast of current statutes and the application of the laws we enforce on the public we protect. I have extensive knowledge of investigative procedures, recordkeeping and the protection of proprietary and sensitive information. I have been intimately involved in media relations and public relations. I have directed a large staff in coordinated public safety missions, and have had to make instantaneous decisions in critical situations."

As it relates to his abilities to serve as the head of the Gaming Control Board staff, which regulates the Detroit casinos, and has oversight responsibility over Michigan's Native American casinos, Mr. Kalm stated the following:

"As a Sheriff's Office we are also a record keeping and regulatory agency. Many similar functions are performed by the Gaming Control Board. Investigations, Licensing, Auditing, and Record keeping and Monitoring of Gaming all have parodies in the organization I currently administer. Over the years I have gained experience interacting with both state and federal legislators and officials. These interactions were in pursuit of a common mission or to pass legislation favorable to our missions in public service. During my employment I have been fortunate enough to work extensively with agencies other than my own. Coordinating and supervising these multiple agencies in a common effort was both challenging and rewarding. As a result I have gained extensive knowledge of how these State, Federal and local relationships impact our operations and how we affect them while we all provide a public service. I sit on a number of boards and associations collaborating and joining together to accomplish a public service goal. This experience in directing a county government organization has led me to develop skill sets that allow me to lead, listen and collaborate. I have worked extensively on organized crime and conspiracy investigations at the highest level. I have maintained a high level of integrity, and the trust of all who have worked with me. As an investigator and participant in Federal Grand Jury proceedings, the maintenance of secrecy, integrity and trust was paramount to gaining a successful conclusion. My team enjoyed great success in these investigations, and I would allow nothing to come in the way of the performance of my duties. I believe I possess the required background and education, along with people skills, to accomplish any task ahead. I am confident I would be an asset to the Gaming Control Board and the people of the State of Michigan."

The confirmation of Mr. Kalm, and expected arrival to his new position, comes at a time when the Detroit casinos are transitioning from their temporary facilities to permanent structures. It is also a time when the state of Michigan and city of Detroit are more dependent on the successful operation of the gaming industry, as the state's overall economy struggles and the state is dependent on every tax dollar and jobs created by the industry. Mr. Kalm's first public meeting as executive director of the Gaming Control Board will occur on June 12, 2007, in the Board's Detroit office.