Pillen approves new head of Nebraska Racing and Gaming Commission

Casey Ricketts is the new executive director of the Nebraska Racing and Gaming Commission after Gov. Jim Pillen approved her appointment Wednesday.

Ricketts had been the interim executive director of the commission since January. She was appointed after longtime head Tom Sage went on medical leave in January and officially retired in March.

"I'm going to keep doing the same thing I've been doing for the past nine months," Ricketts said Friday during the commission's monthly meeting. "Moving us forward. We're still building our agency and so I'm still working."

Ricketts' approval followed a nomination process by the Racing and Gaming Commission that involved three other finalists. Ricketts was recommended on Friday to become the permanent head of the commission.

"I think since I came aboard my main goal was to get out there, meet with the different associations in the industry," Ricketts said on Friday.

Ricketts said she has built relationships in the industry and has a solid foundation.

The Racing and Gaming Commission received a recommendation to approve Ricketts from an executive committee made up of commissioners Shane Greckel, Tony Fulton and Dennis Lee. The commission then voted unanimously to nominate Ricketts.

Commissioner Helen Abbott Feller said she was impressed with the applicants.

"They were really stellar," Feller said on Friday. "So again, I would like to comment to Casey that she did stand out even amongst the stellar applicants."

Ricketts will earn an annual salary of $135,000 and starts immediately, according to a press release from the governor's office.

Along with Ricketts, Laurie Holman was appointed to the new position of deputy director.

Holman was appointed to the position on Friday by the commission and her position does not require the approval of the governor.

Holman was a finalist in the search for the executive director and was an analyst for the Legislature's General Affairs Committee, where she worked to draft legislation.

Holman said she hopes to help the industry grow.

"I think it's uncommon anymore to be able to really get in on the ground floor of a new industry, a new expansion and revitalization of something like horse racing," Holman said. "So I'm really excited to be a part of that and to contribute to that."