Sequoyah Simermeyer

E. Sequoyah Simermeyer (Coharie) is the Chairman of the National Indian Gaming Commission. He was appointed by the President to a three-year term after the United States Senate unanimously confirmed his nomination in November 2019. As Chairman, he is responsible for the federal regulatory agency’s daily operations including its eight regional offices as well as its national and local training and technical assistance efforts. He has the authority to issue civil enforcement fines and temporary closure orders for regulatory violations by gaming operations on Indian lands. As a member of the National Indian Gaming Commission’s three-member commission, he is responsible for regulating and ensuring the integrity of the more than 524 Indian gaming facilities, associated with nearly 248 tribes across 29 states. Simermeyer first joined the Commission in November 2015 when he was appointed by the Secretary of the Interior to serve as an Associate Commissioner. As an Associate Commissioner, he directed the Agency’s Office of Self-Regulation during which time the Commission unanimously certified a third of all self regulated tribes. The responsibilities of the Commission’s two Associate Commissioners and its Chairman include hearing appeals, promulgating regulations, and approving an agency budget. As Chairman, Simermeyer promotes four emphasis areas in the agency’s work.

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