WORKSHOPS: Wednesday Morning, April 23, 2008

Scott A. Frost, President of Titan Nightlife Group, has an extensive background in building companies within the nightlife entertainment field. Titan Nightlife Group develops, operates and promotes upscale bars, ultra lounges, nightclubs, and entertainment- infused restaurant concepts for the exponentially growing Resort & Casino industry in Las Vegas and beyond. Mr. Frost is also a founder and former General Manager of VegasHotSpots.com, Las Vegas' premier nightlife entertainment VIP hosting and event planning company. VegasHotSpots.com hosted over 13,000 parties in Las Vegas and was behind several of Las Vegas’ hottest nightclub promotions.

Mark has over 21 years of construction experience that includes field work, project management and estimating.

Gary represents PNE Corp. in the Oklahoma region and has over 18 years of experience in gaming and gaming machines.

Gary represents the petroleum equipment that ties the point of sales/back room software to the casino. Gary works out of Eastern Washington and has more that 20 years experience in the petroleum market.

Martin R. Baird has a passion for helping others succeed and he has devoted his career to that endeavor. Nearly 15 years ago, his company, Robinson & Associates, Inc., began carving out a niche in the gaming industry helping casinos improve their customer service. Baird’s theory, which holds true to this day, was that marketing can get guests to visit a casino but that they may not come back if their gaming experience is unsatisfactory. Over time, his vision for improved casino performance led him to bring an entirely new concept to the gaming industry – guest and employee advocacy.

Baird searched for an answer to a question he was repeatedly asked – what is a casino’s return on investment in customer service training and other internal improvement programs? It was a legitimate question and Baird found the answer in 2005 in research published in Harvard Business Review. The research shows there is no correlation between customer and employee satisfaction and the success of a business. The key is creation of customer and employee advocates, whose contribution to the bottom line can be measured. Later that year, Baird expanded his company’s business model to embrace advocacy and introduced his Advocate Index™. In 2006, he announced his Advocate Development System™.

Baird writes for several prominent gaming industry publications worldwide, including International Gaming & Wagering Business and Native American Casino in the U.S., Casino Review in England and Gaming for Africa. He also writes for such respected Web sites as Urbino.net and NativeBiz.com.

Robinson & Associates’ services, including specialty customer service training, management skills training, presentation skills training and “Train the Trainer,” Thier training programs enhance learning by making them participant centered, fun, entertaining and fast paced.

Don Romero is a Business and Technology Consultant out of San Diego, CA, and manages a diverse client base in Tribal and casino consulting services. His areas of expertise include:

• Internal Control and Internal Audit
• Fraud Investigation, Assessment & Loss Prevention
• Compliance, MICS & Risk Management
• Technology Audit & Assessments, Systems Selection, Integration & Migration
• Business Process Improvement
• Financial Management, Budgeting & Accountability
• Business Strategy, Economic Development & Diversification
• Training in many facets of Indian Gaming and Administration

Don has over 15 years of experience providing exciting and innovative business solutions to complex and challenging situations throughout the world. Don is a regular speaker in Indian Country on leadership, strategy, customer service, fraud, and ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning).

Don is a dynamic leader helping companies drive revenue growth and strengthen market position. He introduces leading-edge change management, technology and operational competencies to affect positive change with a relentless drive for results. A leader with creative ideas, well-defined vision, reliable intuition, superior judgment and the courage to face challenges.

Don is certified in Internal Audit, Fraud Examination, Financial Audit and Information Systems Audit.

Don graduated from Colorado State University with Bachelor of Science degrees in Accounting and Computer Science Beta Gamma Sigma. He also graduated from the BAI Graduate School of Banking with honors.

Marie Maher is the Director of Training and Development for Inn of the Mountain Gods, Casino Apache Travel Center, and Ski Apache; Mescalero Apache tribal enterprises in southern New Mexico. She has recently created and implemented the Apache Academy for these properties. Previously she was the Director of Education at the Jackson Rancheria and has held the position of CEO in several mid-sized non-gaming businesses. She has also done private consulting in the fields of leadership development, performance management and measurement, conflict resolution, and project management. Marie has two Master’s degrees with specialties in cultural studies and social problems and a Ph.D. in Business Administration with an emphasis on management. Throughout her career, Marie has taught at several major colleges and universities. This is her second NIGA workshop presentation. Marie believes passionately in the potential for success of adult learners in the Indian Country workplace, empowerment of tribal business leaders of the future, and in the proven added value an excellent training and development function can bring to the efficiency, morale, and financial bottom-line of any enterprise.

Charles has been in public accounting for over fifteen years primarily serving the gaming and construction industries. He has provided audit, tax and consulting services to a wide range of clients ranging from SEC Registrants, Tribal Governments and casinos, to small closely held businesses. His experience includes conducting audits of companies subject to the provisions of Sarbanes-Oxley both for accelerated and non-accelerated filers. Charles has provided professional services to Native American Tribes for over twelve years including external and internal audit services, and consulting services. Charles’ experience also includes extensive gaming regulatory compliance work in multiple jurisdictions, including Nevada, California, Colorado, Indiana, Illinois, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Oregon. Charles has also provided forensic audit services to clients. Charles is a seasoned professional in the gaming industry and has a demonstrated track record of providing exceptional service to his clients through close interaction and open communication on often complex subject matters. He has been an active instructor of continuing professional education classes on a wide range of auditing and gaming related topics.

Krista is a senior manager in our Las Vegas office with over ten years of experience in public accounting during which time she has specialized in serving gaming industry clients throughout the United States.

Krista has extensive experience in external audit engagements of both commercial and Native American casinos. She has served a number of SEC registrants in the gaming industry, and has also participated in numerous private and public debt offerings. Her experience includes extensive regulatory compliance work in multiple jurisdictions including Nevada, California, Colorado, Indiana, Louisiana, and Mississippi.

Rachel Loudon has been working in the compliance department of Finley & Cook since July, 2003. During her time at the firm, she has had the opportunity to work in nearly every area of casino accounting and compliance and has gained much experience in all areas. At the present time, her responsibilities include assisting casinos in writing policies and procedures, development of compliance programs and Tribal Internal Control Standards, as well as performing compliance reviews of existing casinos throughout the state of Oklahoma and elsewhere. In addition, she supervises the Title 31 Compliance department which includes oversight of staff, drafting and review of departmental procedures, review and implementation of Title 31 regulations, participating in IRS Title 31 audits etc. Through her experience, Rachel has developed a deep understanding of the Title 31 requirements as outlined by regulations and more importantly as interpreted by actual IRS audits.

Mr. Scheri is Managing Director of WhiteSand Consulting with over twenty years of gaming and hospitality experience. In this role, he is responsible for directing consulting services for the world’s premier gaming companies in such areas as feasibility studies, market demand studies, financial projections, technology solutions, marketing strategy, operations improvement and acquisitions. Prior to joining WhiteSand, he was Director of the gaming consulting practice for PricewaterhouseCoopers, LLP. Mr. Scheri is an industry leader, providing management consulting services to casinos, racetracks, tribal casinos, lotteries, and regulatory agencies throughout the world.

Prior to joining PwC, Mr. Scheri was the National Director of the Gaming Practice with KPMG Consulting, LLC. Mr. Scheri helped create and lead the National Practice, providing technology, strategy, and operations consulting services to the world’s largest gaming companies. In addition, Mr. Scheri has held executive positions at Aztar Resorts, Trump Taj Mahal, Deloitte & Touche, Showboat Atlantic City and Golden Nugget Atlantic City. In his various roles, he has led efforts to design technology solutions, lead merger and acquisition efforts, develop financial, marketing and operating plans and author customer interaction vision documents.

Marc Lefkowitz, Director of Training for the California Council on Problem Gambling, has developed and facilitated responsible gaming training programs for over 15,000 managers, supervisors, frontline employees and trainers in over 15 casinos. Most recent trainings include The Spa / Agua Caliente Casino, San Manuel Casino, Morongo Casino, Viejas Casino, Hollywood Park Casino, Artichoke Joe’s Casino, and Hawaiian Gardens Casino. He has lectured at numerous gaming conferences on responsible gaming issues. Marc, a California Certified Gambling Counselor, also trains prospects for gambling counselor certification and is on the staff of Pierce College and San Bernardino Valley College.

So many relationship building tools, so little time. We have rich player databases and limitless opportunities to segment. Fun promotions, sexy stationery, juicy coupons; all fantastic means to invite players to return. However, in all our efforts to capitalize on this wealth through direct marketing, we tend to overlook the core of what we’re trying to accomplish. The courtship of our players requires more than ad copy; it needs a greater investment in the written word. Through Raving Writing, Nicole Barker seeks to weave the personal touch back into the mix. Her credentials cover multiple bases to better suit your needs. She’s poised to optimize your mailings thanks to her experience as a Direct Marketing Manager for Harrah’s Las Vegas, the Rio, and Harrah’s Laughlin. Her MBA in marketing helps her to understand the business dynamics of your property. And, most importantly, she’s passionate about writing to your players as friends.

Diane is a Registered Nurse with over 30 years in clinical and occupational health care management. Diane has been with CorVel Corporation for nearly 18 years, working with clients to to design Workers’ Compensation programs specific to client’s needs.

Since 2000, Deborah has been the District Manager of CorVel Healthcare Corporation, a national firm specializing in managed, coordinated medical care and cost containment services for Workers’ Compensation claims. Deborah has over 25 years experience in the insurance industry, most of which was in the Worker’s Compensation area, beginning as a Claims Adjuster then moving into production and underwriting with Employers Insurance of Wausau, a direct-writer whose history and market emphasis was in Workers’ Compensation. She then became Territory Manager for Security Insurance/Orion Group, an insurance company specializing in comprehensive insurance programs all designed around desirable classes of Workers’ Compensation. She was also responsible for all regulatory compliance with the Dept. of Insurance of LA. In the immediate 10 years prior to her tenure with CorVel, Deborah was Vice President of two wholesale broker operations, managing and directing the Property and Casualty Departments. Her specialty was in designing turn-key programs for self-insured employers which included loss history trending and analysis, procurement of excess insurance coverages and unbundled services for Claims Administration and Cost Containment. Deborah has held a Property/Casualty insurance license for most of the past 23 years. She has completed a long list of insurance-related course work and training in the areas of Workers’ Compensation and jurisdiction, Claims Law, and Risk Management. She also teaches courses approved for CE credits for CIC designations and P&C licenses. Deborah holds a BS Degree in Biology from the University of New Orleans.

Hal Caudell is a District Manager for the CorVel Corporation, a national leader in Medical Management, Cost Containment and Third Party Administration services, and is responsible for the Mississippi and Alabama operations. Hal has been with CorVel Corporation since 1999 and worked in the real estate and economic development industries prior to his current employment. During his tenure with CorVel Corporation, Hal was instrumental in the development of Enterprise Comp, CorVel’s Third Party Administration service line. Hal holds Bachelor’s Degree in Financial Management.

B.A. Political Science University of New Orleans (1970), M.A. Political Science University of New Orleans (1972), J.D. Loyola University (1976). Denis’ practice area is Louisiana state workers’ compensation. He is admitted to practice in Mississippi as well. Since 1983 he has worked with the Louisiana Association of Business & Industry (LABI) to support pro-business legislation. He has taught Insurance Law and Workers’ Compensation Law at Loyola Law School since 1982 and is the author of Louisiana Workers' Compensation, a treatise published by Lexis Law Publishing and co-author of LABI/Workers' Compensation Desk Book, published by the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry, as well as the author of numerous Law Review articles.

David W. Devendorf practices in the areas of Federal Appropriations, Public Policy and Regulation, and Federal Indian Policy; including Indian education, energy, gaming, healthcare, transportation and other issues.

Prior to joining Holland & Knight, Mr. Devendorf was chief of staff to U.S. Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell, upon whose staff he served for nearly 15 years. Mr. Devendorf has extensive experience on Capitol Hill, and is skilled in working on both sides of the political aisle to achieve results.Throughout Senator Campbell’s career, Mr. Devendorf served as a senior advisor on all matters.

As chief of staff, Mr. Devendorf directed all areas of Campbell’s office including legislation, press, administration, and casework. In addition, he was responsible for overseeing Campbell’s committee staff, including the Indian Affairs Committee and the Legislative Branch Appropriations Subcommittee.

He assisted Campbell, a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, in directing federal funds to a wide spectrum of projects including universities, hospitals, airports, transportation projects, military construction projects, museums, agricultural, energy and water development projects.

Prior serving as chief of staff, Mr. Devendorf served as State Director to the Senator. In this role he managed Campbell’s Colorado staff and 6 state offices. He worked as a campaign aide and field director for Campbell’s Congressional campaigns. He also has served for many years as Campbell's principal surrogate speaker, both politically and in the Senate.

Ms. Cook Macarro is a partner at Ietan Consulting, LLC. Prior to joining Ietan Consulting, LLC, Holly served as a Senior Public Affairs Advisor in the Public Policy & Regulation group at Holland & Knight LLP, a Washington DC law firm with a significant tribal and governmental affairs practice. Holly has also served as the Director of the Office of Native American Affairs at the Democratic National Committee. In addition, Holly served in the White House Office of Intergovernmental Affairs in 1997-1998, where she worked primarily on Native American issues. Her primary focus areas at Ietan Consulting, LLC include federal governmental relations, legislative advocacy, and appropriations issues.

Ms. Cook Macarro has significant political and legislative experience in Indian affairs matters. While in the private sector, Holly has successfully secured client appropriations for detention center facilities, youth centers and wastewater treatment projects. In addition, Holly has secured legislation protecting culturally significant tribal lands from development by a major energy company. Holly has represented clients on such lobbying matters as tribal gaming issues, self-governance, law enforcement matters and several client-specific legislative initiatives.

At the White House, Ms. Cook Macarro worked for Lynn Cutler, President Clinton’s top person on Indian Affairs issues. Holly focused specifically on tribal intergovernmental affairs matters dealing with Administration policy and federal agency actions. Holly also coordinated the first ever Tribal economic development conference hosted by the White House and several federal agencies in 1998.

During her time at the Democratic National Committee, Ms. Cook Macarro coordinated the national outreach and organizing efforts on behalf of the Democratic party during the 2000 Presidential campaign. In 2002, Holly worked on Senator Tim Johnson's re-election campaign in South Dakota, serving as an organizer on the Pine Ridge Reservation. In 2003-2004, Holly served as the national co-chair of the Native Vote initiative at the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) where she assisted in putting together organizing, fundraising, and outreach plans for the organization. Leading up to the 2004 Presidential election, Holly also served on the Kerry-Edwards Native American Policy team which was devoted to developing the candidate's policies on Indian Country issues, providing guidance to the campaign regarding tribal outreach, and assisting in various organizing efforts. Holly also served as the Native American coordinator for the Democratic Party of New Mexico in 2004, where she coordinated the party's field and outreach efforts for a battleground state during the Presidential election. In 2006, Holly served on the Minnesota Native Vote team, providing training to field staff and coordination of reservation GOTV efforts.

Ms. Cook Macarro is a member of the Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians and a graduate of the University of North Dakota with a BBA.

Gerry Sikorski serves as the firm's Government Section leader and brings with him a wealth of government experience. He represented Minnesota in the U.S. House of Representatives for ten years, from 1983 to 1993. During this time he served on the powerful Energy and Commerce Committee, with jurisdiction over telecommunications, finance, trade, consumer protection, health, environment, insurance, nuclear power, securities, utilities, and energy laws and the FCC, FTC, CFTC, FDA, SEC, CMS, IHS, ICC and FERC. The New York Times and The Washington Post have acknowledged Mr. Sikorski’s experience on facets of the congressional process.

For 10 years, Mr. Sikorski served with Chairman Dingell on the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, with a purview of all the Committee’s subject matter jurisdiction, and served as Vice Chairman to Henry Waxman on the Health and Environment Subcommittee, where he was a leader on health reform and environmental issues. Mr. Sikorski was the author of the Community Right to Know law and the Acid Rain Control Act, and he was a primary sponsor of the 1990 Clean Air Act.

During his tenure in Congress, Mr. Sikorski served on the Post Office and Civil Service Committee, chairing the Civil Service Subcommittee. He was a member of the House Leadership serving as Whip-at-Large.

Prior to his time with the House, Mr. Sikorski served as a State Senator for six years, chairing committees with jurisdiction over Health, Welfare and Corrections appropriations and publicly regulated industries.

Mr. Sikorski has previously served as Chairman of the Holland & Knight Directors Committee, Chair of the firm’s Public Law Department and has a black belt in Tae Kwon Do.