Gov. Joe Lombardo on Monday announced his choice of Mike Dreitzer to lead the board. Current NGCB Chairman Kirk Hendrick said he expects a smooth transition when he steps down at the end of this year’s session of the Nevada Legislature.

“I’m pleased to announce Mike Dreitzer as the incoming Chairman of the Nevada Gaming Control Board,” Lombardo said in a news release. “Mike has an extensive background in gaming compliance and brings decades of industry experience to the role. I’m confident that Mike will lead the Nevada Gaming Control Board with integrity and honor, while furthering its recent innovation and progress.”

Dreitzer previously served as president of the North America division for Ainsworth Game Technology, Inc, COO (chief operating officer) of BMM Americas, a global gaming test lab and consultancy, and co-founder and COO of G3, a gaming content company, the news release said.

Dreitzer’s experience in Nevada includes working as deputy attorney general, where he provided legal representation for the Nevada Gaming Commission and the NGCB. Dreitzer earned his undergraduate degree from Cornell University and his law degree from Emory University.

“I’m deeply honored by this appointment to the Nevada Gaming Control Board, and I’m grateful to Governor Lombardo for his confidence in me,” Dreitzer said. “I look forward to furthering the essential mission of the Board, while supporting its agents and staff to ensure the highest quality gaming regulation for our state.”

Hendrick, who is expected to leave on June 22, said, “Handing over the gavel to Chairman Mike Dreitzer will be a smooth transition. Mike and I have known each other for almost 30 years going back to our days in the Attorney General’s Office. Mike is the perfect choice by Governor Lombardo based on Mike’s long career in gaming law, government, regulatory compliance, and business.”