For Immediate Release ~ August 24, 2004

Contact: Shawn Pensoneau ~ (202) 632-7003 

Washington DC, August 24, 2004 – Phil Hogen, Chairman of the National Indian Gaming Commission (NIGC) today announced the selection of Shawn Pensoneau to serve as the Commission’s Director of Congressional and Public Affairs.

Hogen noted that, "Shawn has spent the last 10 years in Washington DC working on Indian issues.  He brings an understanding and appreciation for Indian affairs as well as an extensive knowledge of the federal process and we're pleased he has decided to join NIGC."

Pensoneau is an enrolled member of the Kickapoo Tribe of Oklahoma and earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Fort Lewis College in Durango, Colorado. He joined the Commission after serving as a Legislative Advisor with the National American Indian Housing Council.  Additionally, Mr. Pensoneau worked for the Navajo Nation Washington Office in several capacities including Acting Director and Legislative Assistant, prior to his work with the National American Indian Housing Council.

"Indian gaming is a very exciting and important part of the Indian community.  The jobs and improvements to education, health care and many other areas brought about by gaming are significant and an important area which I wanted to be a part of”, Pensoneau said.

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.