Mohawk Gaming Enterprises, LLC Selects New General Manager
May 15, 2018
Tribal Council Extends Appreciation to Emily Lauzon for Interim Role
AKWESASNE — The Mohawk Gaming Enterprises, LLC, is pleased to announce the selection of Todd Papineau as the new General Manager of the Akwesasne Mohawk Casino Resort (AMCR). Papineau takes over the AMCR leadership role following the departure of former-General Manager Shannon Keel in October 2017. In making the announcement, appreciation was expressed to Assistant General Manager Emily Lauzon for serving as the Acting-General Manager while a search was conducted for Keel’s replacement.
“On behalf of the Mohawk Gaming Enterprise Board of Managers, we are honored to once again have an Akwesasne Mohawk serving our community and employees as General Manager. This day has been coming for a long time. Todd has a technical awareness that will help to bring our Casino and Bingo operation to the next level for many years to come,” said Tribal Chief Michael Conners, who also serves as chairperson for Mohawk Gaming Enterprises. Chief Conners recognized Papineau’s financial and regulatory experience in stating, “In his prior role as Executive Director of the Tribal Gaming Commission, he gave his team the support and tools to become nationally recognized on multiple boards. This is something that he can help our entire gaming operation with; in addition to his 16 year of regulatory experience, banking and financing experience, and operational analysis; he has all of the tools necessary for us to continue succeeding and growing our operation to meet the needs of our community.”
Papineau takes on the leadership role for the Akwesasne Mohawk Casino Resort following nearly 16 years as Executive Director for the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribal Gaming Commission, which provided extensive experience and understanding of gaming regulations. It built upon his prior knowledge of finances and operational performance as an investment advisor and branch manager for the Bank of Montreal after earning a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Syracuse University.
"Todd’s intimate knowledge of the casino’s regulatory requirements and fiscal performance makes him ideally suited to help ensure the Akwesasne Mohawk Casino Resort continues to benefit our community and serve as an economic anchor for Northern New York State,” shared Tribal Chief Eric Thompson. Chief Thompson added, “His in-depth comprehension of gaming regulations and the casino’s financials, which includes experience as a financial analysist and management of the casino cage operations, continues to be recognized through his involvement on national gaming commissions.”
Papineau was a board member of the National Tribal Gaming Commissions/Regulators Association from 2005 to 2012; serving as Board Treasurer from 2009 to 2012. He also served on the National Indian Gaming Commission Minimum Internal Control Standards Committee from 2006 to 2007; which entailed experience on a tribal advisory committee in proposing amendments that enhanced regulatory efficiencies, as well as participation on various gaming conference panels.
"I have every confidence that Todd will ensure the continued success of the Akwesasne Mohawk Casino Resort," stated Tribal Chief Beverly Cook. Chief Cook noted, "Not only does he bring extensive experience in regulatory and financial oversight, but his knowledge as a community member will help align the gaming operation with our community’s overall strategic direction for the ongoing benefit of tribal members. I thank Emily Lauzon for the leadership she provided as Acting-General Manager during the interim period—not only for overseeing the ongoing operation of the casino, but for helping it grow during a struggling time for the gaming industry.”
General Manager Papineau thanked the Mohawk Gaming Enterprises Board for the confidence they have placed in him to lead the casino’s overall operation, stating, “The Akwesasne Mohawk Casino Resort is a great place to work and has grown dramatically over the past 18 years that I have been here. It continues to be a privilege to be a part of it and I look forward to the opportunity to take the casino associates and property to the next level.”
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The Saint Regis Mohawk Tribal Council is the duly elected and federally recognized government of the Saint Regis Mohawk People.