LANSING — Gov. Rick Snyder today announced the appointment of Dennis Beagen, of Northville, and the reappointment of Michael Watza, of Novi, to the Michigan Gaming Control Board.
The five-member board licenses and regulates commercial casinos in Detroit, and oversees pari-mutuel horse racing and Native American casinos throughout the state. Not more than three members can be from the same political party.
Beagen is an emeritus professor of communication at Eastern Michigan University. He previously held various leadership positions with the university, including executive associate to the provost for advancement, head of the Department of Communication, interim dean of continuing education and acting associate provost of academic affairs. He holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in speech/communication from Eastern Michigan University and the University of Michigan, respectively. Beagen, an Independent, replaces Benjamin Friedman.
Watza is co-chair of the governmental and commercial litigation practice groups at Kitch, a law firm with offices in Detroit, Lansing, Marquette, Mt. Clemens, Chicago and Toledo. He serves as general counsel to PROTEC and the Mobile Technology Association of Michigan and is an adjunct faculty member at the Michigan State University College of Law. Watza earned a bachelor’s degree from Michigan State University and a degree from the Detroit College of Law. He will continue to serve as a Republican.
Appointees will serve four-year terms that expire Dec. 31, 2016, and their appointments are subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.
