The National Indian Gaming Commission (NIGC) has appointed Deputy Commissioner Sharon M. Avery as the acting chair of the agency. Avery will now serve as both deputy commissioner and acting chairman until a permanent chairman is appointed, a nomination that must be approved by the Senate and the President of the United States.
As acting chairman, Avery will possess the same legal authority as a Senate-confirmed chairman to lead the agency and perform its official duties.
Avery, a member of the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe of Michigan, has been with the NIGC for over four years. She previously served as Assistant General Counsel in the related office. Her appointment as acting chairman underscores her experience and leadership within the commission.
