The Oklahoma Indian Gaming Association recently announced the hiring of former Arizona Indian Gaming Association Executive Director Sheila Morago as the group’s first full-time executive director. OIGA represents 22 of Oklahoma’s 39 tribes; 33 have state gaming compacts. Valerie Spicer has been named acting director for AIGA.
Morago became executive director of AIGA in 2004. In that position, she successfully led all negotiations with the state of Arizona regarding compacting, regulatory, security and surveillance and jurisdictional issues. Prior to joining AIGA, Morago served as tribal liaison for Proposition 202, which allowed Native American tribes in Arizona to extend their state gaming compacts.
Morago also was director of public relations for the National Indian Gaming Association and director of marketing for the Gila River Casinos. In 2006, she was named as one of “25 People to Watch” by Global Gaming Business.
Morago is a member of the Gila River Indian Community and attended the University of Arizona, where she studied business and public administration.
