For Immediate Release ~ January 6, 2004

Washington DC, — National Indian Gaming Commission Chairman Phil Hogen today announced that Affie Ellis has been tapped to serve as the Director of Congressional and Public Affairs for the regulatory agency.

"We are pleased to welcome Affie to our national office. She has worked on Capitol Hill for the past three and half years, and has a great deal of legislative experience working with the Senate Indian Affairs Committee," Chairman Hogen said. Hogen added that "The Commission will certainly benefit by her knowledge."

Ellis is a graduate of the University of Wyoming, where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science. Ellis worked as a Legislative Assistant, specializing in natural resource and Native American issues for U.S. Senator Craig Thomas (R-Wyo.). She is also a member of the Navajo Nation.

"I am excited to work for the Commission. During my time in the Senate, I enjoyed working on Indian issues and working with Indian people," Ellis said. "This new position will allow me to actively promote the Commission's activities, and I look forward to being a part of a great team."

The National Indian Gaming Commission is an independent regulatory agency established within the Department of the Interior pursuant to the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act of 1988.

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For further information contact:

Gary Pechota
Chief of Staff, National Indian Gaming Commission
(202) 632-7003