Governor of Massachusetts Maura Healey made the news headlines on Thursday when he appointed Commissioner Jordan Maynard as the Interim Chair of the Massachusetts Gaming Commission (MGC). The development comes just after the retirement of Cathy Judd-Stein, who previously held the chair position, for which she served a five-year tenure.
In 2022, Maynard became a part of MGC, stepping into the commissioner role following his appointment by previous Governor Charlie Baker, Healey, the Attorney at the time, and Treasurer Deb Goldberg.
“I am honored that Governor Healey and Lieutenant Governor Driscoll have entrusted me with this responsibility, and I thank my fellow commissioners, who are essential to the continued success of the Massachusetts Gaming Commission, for their partnership and support,” said Maynard.
“Since joining the Commission, Jordan Maynard has proven to be a leader in this space. He has worked with people across the gaming industry and has helped oversee Massachusetts gaming regulations. We are grateful for his service as he takes over as interim chair and looks forward to working with him more closely. In the meantime, we continue our search for a permanent chair,” Governor Healey added.
Maynard also acknowledged the commission staff, noting that the recognition he has received for his accomplishments would have been unattainable without the team’s collaborative efforts.
“Since beginning as a commissioner, I have been consistently impressed with the level of professionalism and expertise displayed by the Commission staff. Without this committed team, commissioners would not be able to execute our responsibilities. We will lean on their experience and judgment as we continue addressing the issues facing the Massachusetts gaming, horse racing, and sports wagering industries. I look forward to working with our licensees and stakeholders to continue prioritizing consumer protection and responsible gaming.”
As of the time of writing, it appears that the commission is still deliberating on the permanent appointment for the Massachusetts sports betting position. No time has been disclosed for the appointment of the permanent chair.
Maynard Comes with a Myriad of Experiences
Before assuming his role as a commissioner, Maynard held the positions of Chief Secretary and director of boards and commissions for the office of the Governor from 2019 to 2022.
From March to July 2020, he served as the Director of the Office of the Governor’s Washington, DC, during the COVID-19 epidemic. In this role, he oversaw the procurement of millions of PPE units that were essential for the safety of the Commonwealth and led initiatives to improve coordination between state and federal authorities.
Before this, Maynard was the Division of Professional Licensure’s (now the Division of Occupational Licensure) manager of external affairs. Here, he developed solid working relationships with commission and board members to supervise the licensing and oversight of 580,000 people in 150 different crafts and professions.
MGC Executive Role Overhaul
Still on MGC executive roles, earlier this week Caitlin Monahan was named as the director of the Investigations and Enforcement Bureau (IEB), and Dean Serpa was appointed as MGC’s new executive director, replacing Todd Grossman, who had been serving in the role on an interim basis since November.
“Dean’s unparalleled operations experience and record of leadership and service to the Commonwealth will allow him to step into the role of executive director and have an immediate impact on the Massachusetts Gaming Commission. His time as chair of the Gaming Policy Advisory Committee will provide him with an essential level of familiarity regarding MGC policies and programs as he begins his tenure,” Commissioner Eileen O’Brien said.
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