WORKSHOPS: Tuesday Afternoon, April 22, 2008

Bill Schwartz founded System Concepts, Inc. in 1980, and was instrumental in the development of the FOOD-TRAK System, a combination of consulting services, techniques, software and training to effectively control food and beverage inventory. While Bill's FOOD-TRAK system and its related techniques and processes are used by more than 10,000 clients around the world, Bill is also widely known as one of the industry's leading experts and most dynamic speakers on the topic of food and beverage inventory management, as well as the use (and misuse) of available technologies as they relate to F&B management.

A noted speaker for more than 25 years, Bill has developed and presented seminars for the National Restaurant Association, National Indian Gaming Association (NIGA), the American Lodging Association, Club Managers Association of America (CMAA), Hospitality, Financial and Technical Professionals (HFTP) and other associations across the country and throughout the world. Through his seminars and articles, he revolutionized the process by which food and beverage inventory is managed.

One of the first to downplay the traditional use of food and beverage cost percentages to control inventory, he views them as inaccurate and largely meaningless numbers for purposes of controlling food and beverage inventories. Instead, Bill focuses on usage management, offering operators ways to improve cash flow and significantly reduce waste, theft and other types of food and beverage loss.

Bill's expertise and unique approach has lead to hundreds of speaking engagements and seminar presentations as well as the publication of numerous articles in hospitality-related trade publications including Indian Gaming Magazine.

Patrick Dempsey is a Human Resources professional with over 20 years extensive HR generalist experience, including nearly six years in an executive HR position with Black Oak Casino where he restructured benefits resulting in a six digit savings annually. Patrick also created a risk management program that netted an $800,000 reduction in temporary disability payments in its first year. Among his areas of expertise is utilizing exceptional analytical and organizational skills to develop and implement creative, practical solutions with an eye on bottom-line profitability. He is experienced in employment law, compliance, benefits and compensation administration, online enrollment, risk management, workers' compensation plan analysis, recruiting and retention, training and performance management, employee relations, policies and procedures, RFP Process Design and Assistance, and HRIS/payroll. Patrick holds an SPHR Certification from SHRM, a Master's Degree in System's Management, and a BA in Business Administration.

Jean Jones, a member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, is the Career Development Specialist in the Talent Development Department with Harrah's Cherokee Casino & Hotel in Cherokee NC. In 1998, she began her career at HCC&H as the administrator of two leadership programs, geared to prepare employees for promotional opportunities.

Her latest endeavor was to create and implement a Career Resource Center for all HCC&H employees. A hub of the Career Development Department, it is a career planning and educational assistance center. It is an innovative, flexible streamlined resource for accessing information relevant to career planning/development, assessment, e-learning, higher education sources, and current events.

Jean received her BA and MA degrees in Education from the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque NM. She earned an EdS in Educational Administration from Western Carolina University in Cullowhee NC. She spent 19 years in education as a classroom teacher and school administrator. She has been with HCC&H for the past 9 1/2 years, working with Career Development.

Alan Bailey has been involved in the criminal justice system for the past 25 years in various capacities. I worked for several different law enforcement agencies in San Diego CA, he was a Licensed Private Investigator and for the past 15 years has been in the Tribal Gaming field. Mr. Bailey has been employed in various positions in both Casino Surveillance and Tribal Gaming Agencies. He is currently the Lead Tribal Gaming Commissioner for the Cahuilla Tribal Gaming Agency. Mr. Bailey also has a private consulting business (Alan Bailey and Associates) that specializes in training and development of Casino Surveillance and Tribal Gaming Agencies. He currently teaches both the on-ground and on-line Casino Surveillance and Security course at San Diego State University. He has been teaching Criminal Justice courses both the undergraduate and master's level at University of Phoenix since 2004. He has a Master's Degree in Security Management and a Paralegal Certificate. He also holds a Certified Protection Professional (CPP) designation from American Society of Industrial Security (ASIS). Mr. Bailey has been directly involved in numerous external and internal theft investigations and is a court qualified expert witness in Card Cheating Scams and Casino Surveillance Digital Recording systems.

Ms. Judy Saez has been in the California Indian Gaming business since 1994. She has held several positions such as Tribal Police Officer, Surveillance Operator, Training Supervisor and Acting Surveillance Director. She is currently a Surveillance Supervisor for Harrah's Rincon Casino & Resort. In her current position, she conducts training in the areas of basic and advanced surveillance techniques, table games protection and has developed a 90-day training program that include detecting advantage players. She currently teaches the on-line Casino Surveillance and Security course at San Diego State University. Additionally, she has been involved in casino expansions, development of new technologies, training techniques, various scams, investigations, and fraudulent documents.

Kell Houston has been in the entertainment industry as a musician, event producer, manager, talent agent, talent buyer and entertainment consultant for 30 years.

Kell has chaired entertainment seminars and workshops for NIGA, OIGA, NW Gaming, Western Fairs, International Association of Fairs, Bill Board Magazine, The Aboriginal Music Program, International Festivals, Event Solutions International, The Special Event and The National Association of Campus Activities. He has also contributed to articles in Indian Gaming Magazine and Pollstar. Currently a member if the Board of Directors for IEBA and the Editorial Advisory Board for Indian Gaming Magazine.

Originally from Seattle, he has lived in Los Angeles and currently resides in Las Vegas, NV.

Brian Knaff is CEO and owner of Talent Buyers Network, the largest out source of concert entertainment in the country, currently buying over 50 million dollars in live entertainment for fairs, festivals and casinos nationwide.

Through the years, Brian has developed and managed the careers of numerous international recording artists, built a state-of-the-art recording studio and produced numerous original shows and events. He provided extensive training and development for many of the country's top talent agents and designs and directs TBN's venue consultation services for the casino, corporate, fair and festival markets.

Brian is also seminar facilitator and convention panelist for National Indian Gaming Association, Concert Industry Consortium, Great Plains Midwest and Southwest Indian Gaming, United South & Eastern Tribes, International Entertainment Buyers Association and G2E Global Gaming Expo.

His areas of expertise include concert and casino entertainment, venue representation, artist/management relations, music industry consultation, broker services, sales and marketing, concert production and promotion, strategic planning, Indian Gaming, public speaking, teaching, and fund raising.

Beaty Four Entertainment created in 1992 is a Las Vegas, NV. is a based entertainment, event marketing, merchandising and artist management consulting company led by Frank M. Beaty, who has more than 30 years of experience in business and entertainment. He began his career as a radio personality and over the years has seen success in the areas of restaurant and nightclubs management, event promotions,consumer marketing, public relations, sponsorship, casino entertainment operations, talent buying, artist management and public speaking.

With over 35 years of experience in entertainment, broadcasting and marketing communications, Clinton Ford Billups Jr. is president of CFB Productions Inc., which provides personal management services for television personalities and touring entertainers, plus production consultation for festivals, trade shows and special events. Billups also serves as president of the National Conference of Personal Managers, the nation's oldest professional association committed to the advancement of personal managers and their clients. He is a consultant to the American Gaming Association and Reed Exhibitions for the production of G2E, the Global Gaming Expo, the world's largest conference and tradeshow for the casino and gaming industry. An international award winning television producer, Billups has also served as a director of the International Entertainment Buyers Association.

Frank Wing is a Member of the Federally recognized tribe MASHPEE WAMPANOAG. Mr. Wing was with WILLIAM MORRIS in Nashville from 1994 to 1998 and from 1998 to the present, he is an agent with APA - Nashville. For a short stint in 2006 to 2007, Frank worked with Vector Management, whose clients include JODEE MESSINA & JOSH GRACIN.

Toby entered the gaming business in 1994 as Marketing Director for Bronco Billy's and Buffalo Billy's Casinos in Cripple Creek, Colorado, following a 12-year management and fund-raising career with the March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation in New York and Colorado. As Vice President of Marketing and Client Services for Raving Consulting Company since 2001, Toby focuses her expertise mentoring casino marketing executives and staff and has assisted in the assessment, development and implementation of strategic marketing plans for more than three dozen Native American, commercial and government casinos. She has published articles in Casino Journal, Strictly Slots, Casino Player, Gaming Today and Native American Casino Magazine. Toby has served on the Advisory Board for the Nevada Council on Problem Gambling and previously organized their annual fund-raising golf tournament. She is a graduate of Oneonta State University, New York.

Dee Dee Bloom is the Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer of SFA of Nevada. Ms. Bloom is responsible for the development, implementation and service of The SFA Tribal Nation Specialty Plan. The plan is unique in its approach to self funding options, providing a wide array of alternative choices and solutions for Workers' Compensation benefits to Sovereign Tribal Nations.

In addition to Tribal Nations, Ms. Bloom's other clients include municipalities, hospitals, casinos, school districts, contractors, non-profit organizations, and several self-insured groups. Her expertise extends to consulting services, program implementation, self-insurance administration and account oversight.

Since its inception in 1995, SFA of Nevada has provided continuous expert service to the self-insured workers' compensation community. Clients have come to trust and depend on the creative solutions, industry knowledge and professional experience delivered by SFA of Nevada.

SFA of Nevada is a member of NIGA, OIGA, WIGA as well as many other tribal and non-tribal industry associations.

Seth Smith is Director of Workers' Compensation for Safety National Casualty Corporation. Seth joined Safety National in 1999 following five years with Fireman's Fund National Accounts. He currently underwrites all tribal excess business nationwide. Seth's other responsibilities include, underwriting and oversight of all Canadian operations, underwriting large self-insured excess accounts and maintaining and producing large deductible business in 22 states.

Founded in 1942, Safety National is the longest continuous provider of Excess Workers' Compensation in the insurance industry. In addition to Excess Workers' Compensation, Safety National's products include Large Deductible WC, Self-Insurance Bonds, Assumed Reinsurance, Loss Portfolio Transfer and various captive options.

Safety National is rated "A (Excellent) IX" by A.M. Best and "A (Strong)" by Standard and Poor's. Safety National is a wholly owned subsidiary of Delphi Financial Group, Inc.

Mr. Smith graduated from Missouri State University in 1991 with a degree in Marketing Management.

Jeffrey Bogacki is the Managing Director for Self-Funded Alternatives and is responsible for the development and management of SFA's program administrative services division including service provided to Self Insurance Groups.

Over the course of his 16 year career, Jeff has been an integral part of the start up and/or operations of 10 workers' compensation pools nationwide. Jeff has integrated vendor services for these pools and has provided the programs' Boards of Directors guidance and assistance in performing their assigned oversight duties.

Jeff is a 1990 graduate of the Villanova University School of Business with a BS in Business Administration with a concentration in Administrative Science.

Robin is a licensed Life & Health Agent and has 17 years of experience in the insurance/healthcare industry. Robin's background includes sales and marketing, business development, core benefit analysis, interpretation and client presentations, stop loss and contract negotiation for partially self-funded and fully insured clients.

Donald Molloy has been with Tribal First for seven years, and serves as their Vice President. He oversees their claims department, which has handled more than 85,000 claims in Native America. Having received his Juris Doctor from Thomas Jefferson School of law in May of 2003, his knowledge of Indian law as it applies to insurance is surpassed only by his passion to serve Indian Country. He has been involved with Compact renegotiations, ordinance implementation, and servicing of all lines of insurance needs for Tribes.

Donsia Strong Hill is a graduate of the John Marshall Law School and a shareholder at Godfrey & Kahn, S.C. Before joining the firm, Donsia was a principal of Tyson Strong Hill, LLC, a law firm concentrating in public finance and serving as counderwriter's counsel in financings representing over $1 billion. >From her Green Bay and Milwaukee offices, Donsia provides bond and underwriter's counsel services to municipalities, housing authorities, investment banking houses, developers and redevelopment authorities. Donsia acted as one of the counsel for the historic $170 million bond offering that funded the Lambeau Field renovation.

During 2003 and 2004, Donsia served as a member of Governor Doyle's cabinet where she was responsible for the Department of Regulation and Licensing's overall administration, its $23 million dollar biennial budget, and its 120 full time employees.

Donsia also served as a senior policy analyst for Indian Affairs for President Bill Clinton. In that capacity, she authored historic memorandum in which President Clinton ordered each department to ensure appropriate government to government consultation with tribes. As a senior advisor at the U.S. Department of Energy, Donsia worked on the U.S. Government's efforts to assist South Africa in electrifying rural townships.

Donsia's legal career began in Dallas at Johnson & Gibbs, P.C. There, almost two decades ago, she began accumulating the legal expertise she now shares with her clients, including corporate law, debt restructuring and refinancing, public offerings and public finance.

Arthur J. Harrington is chair of the environmental and energy law practice group. He has more than twenty- five years of experience in environmental and more than ten years of experience in energy. He also has extensive experience in litigation relating to these practice areas and serves as mediator in environmental disputes, and has represented a number of municipalities.

He received his undergraduate Bachelor of Arts degree in economics in 1972, and his Juris Doctor degree in 1975 from the University of Wisconsin. His academic honors include Phi Beta Kappa, Order of the Coif, and a member of the Wisconsin Law Review, where he also served as note and comment editor.

Art has experiences in all of the subjects covered by the practice of environmental law including air, water, wetlands, solid and hazardous waste permitting under federal and state environmental laws. He has provided lead responsibility for many major environmental land use disputes as well as transactions involving contaminated property. His experience also includes counseling and, where necessary, defense to targets in civil and criminal environmental enforcement actions.

Born in Englewood, Colorado in 1960, Barron Stringfellow was transported to Sin City (Las Vegas) by his mom in 1962. He grew up a Nevada native, his exposure was to gaming, entertainment & (through surveillance) Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Dept. He has been performing magic for over 35 years. (gaming scams was a natural by-product.) He was with Las Vegas Metropolitan PD's youth narcotics task force for 4 1/2 years. He has been in the gaming industry for more than 26 years.

Barron's current position takes him all over the world training surveillance rooms, commissions and state/federal agencies in gaming compliance, integrity & asset protection. he is called upon for undercover and assessment operations as well. Well versed in IGRA, NIGC & minimum internal control standards, he also writes IC's & P&P's.

1988 - Present Occupation - President and Creative Director of AD PRO, founded in 1988 AD PRO is a firm that specializes in advertising and graphic design services. Our slogan is: "One for All" for AD PRO is known for implementing our strategic marketing programs and graphic designs via our in-house manufacturing processes to include: convention exhibits and graphics; silkscreen and embroidery imprinting; advertising specialty products; printing services; signage and web design.

2006 - 2007 Tribal Government Service - Tribal Chair Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation, Mayetta, KS Appointed, January 2006, elected July 2006. Major projects completed included: the formation of the Prairie Band Potawatomi Entertainment Corporation which took over the operation of the Tribe's casino which was previously managed by the Harrah's Entertainment Corporation; the re-purchase of a portion of the Tribe's illegally taken reservation in Illinois; an intergovernmental agreement with the State of Kansas recognizing the Tribe's sovereign right to issue automobile tags; the opening of the Tribe's new Health Center and numerous other tasks.

Education - Ms. Stanhoff graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree from California State University, Long Beach where she was named outstanding graduate in the Journalism - Public Relations department. Ms. Stanhoff also completed the Minority Business Executive Program at the Amos Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College in Hanover, New Hampshire. As well as numerous other industry-related continuing education courses.

Tribal Membership - Ms. Stanhoff is an enrolled member of the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation and of Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma blood.

Business Organization Leadership & Community Service

• President of the American Indian Chamber of Commerce of California
• Co-Founder & Board of Director of the American Indian National Chamber of Commerce
• Vice President, Southern California Indian Center
  
• Orange County Chair, Minority Business Enterprise Input
• Committee, Southern California Minority Business Development Council
  
• Member of the Southern California Gas Company's Community Advisory Council
  
• Member of the Southern California Edison Community Advisory Panel
  
• Member, California Utility Diversity Council
  
• Member, Small Business Council, State of California DGS

Awards & Recognition

• Minorities in Business Magazine named Ms. Stanhoff the 1998 Native American Entrepreneur of the Year
  
• 2000, Ms. Stanhoff was named Indian Business Owner of The Year from The National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development
  
• The Southern California Minority Business Development Council awarded AD PRO its 2001 Class I Supplier of the Year award.
  
• Native Peoples Magazine recognizes AD PRO as one of the "Top 10 Native Businesses in the Country"
  
• 2004, Rev Jesse Jackson and Rainbow Push awards Tracy Stanhoff, the Wall Street West Leadership Award for AD PRO's work as a Minority Supplier in the Automotive Industry
  
• 2004 City of Los Angeles Mayor, James Hahn presents Certificate of Commendation
  
• 2005 SBA Los Angeles Region Ethnic Chamber Champion of the Year
  
• Star Supplier American Honda Motor Co., Inc.; Coca-Cola Enterprises; Southern California Gas Company
  
• The Southern California Minority Business Development Council awarded AD PRO its 2005 Class I Supplier of the Year award.
  
• 2007, Ms. Stanhoff was named Indian Business Owner of The Year from The National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development

Leisure Activities
As much Golf as I can & a former world-class swimmer who still enjoys swimming laps.

Peggy Houston, Human Resource Director, Downstream Casino Resort, Quapaw, Oklahoma, has over 10 years of professional Casino Management experience in Human Resources and Guest Relations. Peggy started her Casino career in 1997 with the opening management team for Harrah's Prairie Band Casino, Topeka, Kansas, promoting to Director of Human Resources in 1999. She continued her career at Mystic Lake Casino Hotel, owned by the Shakopee Mdwakaton Sioux Community, Prior Lake, Minnesota, as the Director of Guest Relations and more recently led the successful transition of Harrah's Prairie Band Casino to Prairie Band Casino Resort for the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation in Kansas.

Peggy received her Masters of Science in Management from Friends University in Wichita, Kansas with an undergraduate degree from Emporia State University; Emporia, Kansas. Peggy served on the State of Kansas Society for Human Resource Management Board of Directors for two years, contributed to the National Indian Gaming Association as a Facilitator, Human Resource Certification Trainer and coordinated a three credit hour Casino Management college course for Haskell Indian Nation University, Lawrence, Kansas.

Bio Coming Soon

Bio Coming Soon

Often referred to as a genius in the world of business, R. Shawn Ellis’ greatest motivator is his passion to ensure the health and long-term financial well-being of Tribal Nations throughout the country. Equally at home in the board room, hunting and fishing in his native Alaska or helping out on his family’s large ranch in Montana, Mr. Ellis has taken what he has learned from years of hands-on experience in the world of commerce and crafted it to benefit the many Nations who have placed their future in his hands.

Mr. Henke began his professional career with what he considers one of his greatest accomplishments: Mr. Henke is the 53rd Native American in the United States to earn a Certified Public Accountant degree. Mr. Henke serves as CEO for the Muckleshoot Indian Tribe in Auburn, Washington; where he oversees all tribal investments and operations.

A member of the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes of Fort Hall, Idaho, Mr. Coby attended school in Blackfoot, Idaho. Furthering his education at Utah State University in Logan, Utah Mr. Coby graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Architecture and Environmental Planning. After graduation, Mr. Coby became the Director of Economic Planning Department for the tribe. He later became the Land Use Director where he supervised numerous environmental programs. Mr. Coby is currently serving his second term as Chairman.

Bio Coming Soon

Bio Coming Soon

Mr. Heintz was born and raised in beautiful Northern California. He graduated with his Bachelors of Science from the University of California, and went on to earn his Masters of Science from Cal Poly.

Mr. Heintz has over 25 years of experience in private development and commercial general contracting. He has worked across the West, from the Rocky Mountains to the California coast, as well as in Canada and Mexico.  His project experience includes hotels, resorts, condominiums, multi-family development, sports complexes, event centers, retail, mixed-use development, restaurants, offices, warehouses, and medical facilities.  Mr. Heintz has become an accomplished developer with a respected record of success.

Mr. Heintz is a principal with CW Heintz, Heintz Construction and Guildford Realty Partners.  Mr. Heintz believes in preserving Tribal Sovereignty when developing not only on Trust Land, but off Trust Land as well.

Mr. Walker was born and raised on the Prairie Band Potawatomi Reservation in Kansas and is an enrolled member of the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation.  He has over 35 years of experience working with Trust Land and Non-Trust Land Development, Design-Build, and both national and international General Contracting projects.

Two accomplishments Mr. Walker is most proud of are both within the realm of Tribal construction. One is his work with the BIA to develop non-gaming funding for Native projects on and off Trust Land. The other is his development of a construction contract for Indian construction and development use, whereby the bonding industry, insurance industry and general contractor all must abide by Tribal law and do not require a waiver of sovereignty or limited sovereignty.

Mr. Walker has developed standard operations systems and document control systems for both fast track and normal delivery projects.  Mr. Walker has over 20 years experience as a Construction Arbitrator with the American Arbitration Association. Mr. Walker has also given lectures at Universities across the country in Construction Management Principles and Construction Law Principles.   

Mr. Walker currently sits on the Executive Board of Directors and Board of Directors for the University of Kansas School Of Liberal Arts & Science, and is the first Native American to sit on this Board.  Mr. Walker has received many awards and recognitions over the years, including the National Indian Business Owner of the Year 2001, nomination as a Finalist in the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Florida 1999 & 2001, and numerous Associated General Contractors building and safety awards.  Mr. Walker’s project experience includes casinos, Native American casinos, hotels, resorts, condo’s, theme parks, Walt Disney World, Universal Studios Florida, airports, stadiums, event centers, retail, mixed-use development, restaurants, schools and universities, manufacturing facilities, waste water facilities, railroads, power plants, projects for the United States Department of Defense, and projects coming out of the aftermath of national disasters. 

Mr. Walker has worked with many Tribes and Tribal Casinos over the years on their original start-up facilities. Mr. Walker believes in Native American business and Tribal sovereignty.

Mr. Ray Bagshaw spent 25 years with The Walt Disney World Co. before joining CW Heintz. He was involved with the planning and development of 13 mega million dollar Resorts and 3 Theme Parks. While at Walt Disney World Mr. Bagshaw was in charge of negotiating the major contracts for these facilities. Mr. Bagshaw was chairman of facilities maintenance committees at Walt Disney World that reviewed new products and researched the market for environmental (Green) products. Mr. Bagshaw has served on numerous fortune 100 Diversity Boards and created programs for Minority and Woman Business owners to increase awareness of the need to include these business owners in the products, services and construction bid process. Mr. Bagshaw developed sponsorship programs for several Native American organizations.

Mr. Bagshaw was recognized by the Hospitality Industry for reducing Workman Comp claims by developing innovative products for the housekeeping staff daily use which in turn increased productivity.

Mr. Bagshaw was recognized by UIDA as the Native American Business Advocate of the Year nationally in 2004. Ray considers this the highlight of his career.