Kentucky-Style in Massachusetts

Jordan Maynard occupies the rare air of the pinnacle in gaming regulation as chairman of the Massachusetts Gaming Commission.

His success in this arena is light years away from the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains in Pikeville.

Kentucky, where he was born and raised.

“I always thought I would hang a shingle in Eastern Kentucky and practice law,” he says. “But it took me a while to find my path to public service in Massachusetts, and I got the opportunity in 2016. And I have just kept trying to give my best.”

Maynard followed his partner to Massachusetts and stayed despite the end of the relationship. “The corny line I use is, ‘I wasn’t born here, but I got here as soon as I could.’  It’s true—I want to be here. I love Massachusetts,” he says.

And with majors in history and government from Morehead State University, entering the political sphere just seemed natural. He obtained a law degree from Northern Kentucky University in 2013.

“Public service has been my calling since I was a kid,” Maynard says. “I think I can trace it back to when Paul Patton from my hometown of 7,000 people became governor of Kentucky. I remember him being able to help a lot of people in our area.”

Why not follow his example?

Maynard asks himself daily, “Am I a value proposition to the commonwealth today?” If the answer is ever no, he will adjust or get out of the public service business.

As for the work of the commission, Maynard’s biggest surprise is how many people are touched by the industry the MGC regulates. “It may be clear that patrons are served, and taxes are collected; but we also provide services like GameSense and the voluntarily self-exclusion list to those who are struggling with addiction,” he says.

The commission licenses many employees who work in the commonwealth and ensure the public safety and integrity of gaming.

“I always ask myself, how best do we maximize the benefits and minimize the harms of gaming in the commonwealth? I love working on maintaining that balance,” Maynard says.

Kristen Lepore, former chief of staff to the governor, made Maynard a better public servant. “She taught me how to think efficiently and strategically without sacrificing accuracy and attention to detail. If I were ever in a foxhole, I would want Kristen with me.”

He also owes gratitude to his best friend John Ryan, who he met while practicing disability law over a decade ago.

“He would help me finish my legal memos so we could get to after-work beers faster. He’s a hell of an attorney. He’s also my most trusted adviser and my harshest constructive critic. He grounds and sharpens me.” Ryan has been there through every step of Jordan’s journey. “I’m not sure I would have done any of this without his sarcastic wisdom.”

Maynard sees himself at the intersection of public service, law and policy. “This, to me, is a way of life. I think I would stress more without a constant ‘to-do’ list.”

That said, Maynard loves golf, bourbon, craft beer, long car rides, and listening to a lot of Dolly Parton, another Appalachian.

“I take Eastern Kentucky with me everywhere I go.”