Henry Williams assumed the mantle of Executive Director of the Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) on May 17, 2021, following his appointment by Governor Gretchen Whitmer on April 23, 2021. With an illustrious career spanning over two decades within the MGCB — including having served as deputy director of the MGCB’s Casino Operations Division for more than six years and previously holding various positions within the agency since 2001 as a regulation officer, senior regulation officer, and employee licensing manager — Williams brings a wealth of experience and expertise to his role. As Executive Director, he leads a team of 200 dedicated employees and presides over the intricacies of Michigan's multibillion-dollar gaming industry.
In his capacity, Williams orchestrates the regulation of diverse gaming domains, including commercial casino gaming, iGaming, internet sports betting, fantasy sports, horse racing, and charitable events like millionaire parties. Moreover, he ensures strict adherence to tribal gaming compact agreements by the state's 24 tribal casinos, thus maintaining harmony and integrity within the gaming landscape of Michigan.
A native of Detroit, Williams' leadership journey in the gaming sector was preceded by his notable contributions in various social and community-oriented capacities. Graduating with a bachelor's degree in political science from Marygrove College, he initially served as a licensed social worker in Michigan for an impressive tenure spanning from 1996 to 2021.
His commitment to community welfare manifested prominently during his tenure as the board president of the Detroit Recovery Project (DRP) — an organization that provides essential community-based drug treatment services, HIV prevention, individual and group counseling, drug court services, and teenage prevention services — from its inception in 2005 to 2022. Additionally, his community leadership was evident in his role on the executive board of the Jefferson-Chalmers Citizen District Council, a three-year position he was elected to by his community in April 2011, as well as his appointment to the Detroit City Planning Commission, a role that he was appointed to in 2019 by members of the Detroit City Council and that he held until 2021, when he resigned to accept the MGCB appointment from the governor.
Williams' dedication to public service and community betterment extends beyond his professional endeavors. His recent appointment by Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan to the Neighborhood Advisory Council of the FCA/Stellantis Community Benefits Agreement — which provides more than $35 million in support for workforce development and training programs, education, neighborhood and housing improvements, and sustainable operations for the citizens of the City of Detroit — underscores his ongoing commitment to fostering positive change within Detroit's neighborhoods.
Williams' ethos is deeply intertwined with the mission of the Gaming Control Board — to uphold the principles of fairness and integrity in gaming, safeguarding the interests of Michigan's citizens. Through his leadership and unwavering dedication, he continues to steer the MGCB towards achieving its noble objectives, ensuring a thriving and responsible gaming environment for all.
Kurt Steinkamp was named by Executive Director Henry Williams to be Chief of Staff of the Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) in August of 2023. Mr. Steinkamp previously held the position of Deputy Director of Licensing & Investigations for 4 years and worked as a manager for the MGCB for 8 years.
During his tenure with the MGCB, Mr. Steinkamp has assisted with the oversight of numerous agency objectives including the transition of the millionaire party (charitable gaming) program to the MGCB, the successful launch of internet gaming and sports betting, and the implementation of measures to deter and combat illegal gambling in the state of Michigan.
Prior to joining the MGCB, Mr. Steinkamp worked in various roles in the corporate audit departments of Masco Corporation in Livonia, Michigan, and Mercedes-Benz Financial Services, LLC in Farmington Hills, Michigan, with specialties in the areas of fraud investigations, corporate compliance and anti-corruption matters.
Mr. Steinkamp holds an accounting degree from Eastern Michigan University and has earned the professional designations of Certified Fraud Examiner and Certified Internal Auditor.
Carla Schulte joined the Michigan Gaming Control Board in October 2012 as a Regulation Officer. She has since achieved significant career milestones:
Originally, she served as the Departmental Manager of the Millionaire Party Licensing and Supplier Vendor Licensing Section, starting in August 2013. In April 2015, she was promoted to Licensing & Investigations Manager, followed by another promotion to Enforcement Section Manager in January 2016. Between 2018 and 2019, she assumed additional responsibilities, overseeing the Gaming Laboratory and the Responsible Gaming Sections.
In June 2021, Ms. Schulte's dedication and expertise led to her appointment as Deputy Director of the Casino Operations Division by Executive Director Henry Williams. In this role, she currently oversees three Detroit casino-related functions, including occupational licensing for iGaming and iSports.
Prior to joining the MGCB, Ms. Schulte had a distinguished career as a detective with the Anchorage Police Department in Anchorage, Alaska, spanning from November 1989 to August 2012. During this time, she was assigned to the Crimes Against Children’s Unit, where she conducted child forensic interviews and collaborated with multi-jurisdictional agencies to combat child abuse.
Ms. Schulte earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Services and Criminal Justice from Wayland Baptist University in May 1999.
Bob Simon has been employed with the Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) since October 1999. Originally hired as an accountant, Mr. Simon was promoted to Manager of the Financial Services Section in November 2002. In May 2010, Mr. Simon was appointed Deputy Director of the Administration Division by MGCB Executive Director Richard Kalm. Mr. Simon currently serves as the agency’s Chief Financial Officer and is responsible for the management and oversight of administrative functions conducted within the MGCB, including budget, purchasing, agency records, FOIA requests, agency security, business continuity planning, and information technology services delivery. Mr. Simon also serves as the agency’s Internal Control Officer and is responsible for the completion of the bi-annual Internal Control Evaluation.
Prior to joining the MGCB, Mr. Simon worked as a staff auditor for the Office of the Auditor General from May 1997 to October 1999. In that role Mr. Simon conducted performance and financial audits of state departments and agencies. He was responsible for developing strategies and procedures to complete assigned audit programs and to communicate the results of audit findings to state agency personnel.
Mr. Simon earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Accounting from Michigan State University in May 1997 and has been a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) since June 1999. Mr. Simon is also a member of the Association of Governmental Accountants, Michigan Association of CPAs, and the North American Gaming Regulators Association.
David Murley joined the Michigan Gaming Control Board in July 2014. He currently serves as Deputy Director and oversees the Online Gaming and Legal Affairs Division. In that capacity, he oversees the audit and regulation of I-gaming, including internet sports betting, internet casino gaming, and fantasy contests. He also oversees the horse racing section.
Prior to joining the MGCB, Mr. Murley served as Deputy Legal Counsel to Governor Rick Snyder, where he served as his gaming advisor and tribal liaison. In that capacity, he worked on launching the Internet Lottery, helped better regulate millionaire party games, and negotiated tribal compacts on behalf of the state.
Mr. Murley served as the Republican Legal Counsel to the Michigan House of Representatives from 2005-2010, where he handled several legal and policy matters. From 1999-2005, he worked as an attorney for the Michigan Department of State’s Compliance and Rules Division and helped administer laws related to elections, lobbying, and auto repair shop licensing. He began his career with the state in 1997, when he joined the Office of Regulatory Reform and provided advice on administrative law matters.
A graduate of Michigan State University and Georgetown University Law Center, Mr. Murley resides in Okemos. He is a graduate of the Michigan Political Leadership Program and is the former President of the Michigan Political History Society.
Tina Alagna has worked for the State of Michigan for 29 years. Her regulatory career began in 1994 with the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General where she investigated fraud, waste, and abuse. In 1998, she transferred to the newly formed Michigan Gaming Control Board where she worked as a regulation officer in the Occupational Licensing Section. Tina was instrumental in writing initial procedures and creating the license applications. When the casinos opened in 1999, Tina was promoted to Lead Regulation Officer in the Casino Operations, Enforcement Unit where she worked with the information technology staff to develop and implement the Compliance Tracking System. In 2006, Tina was promoted to a Regulation Manager within the Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity, Unemployment Insurance Agency. Her teams’ responsibilities included investigating business entities for noncompliance with the Michigan Employment Security Act and collecting taxes from delinquent employers. She was then promoted to State Administrative Manager where her responsibilities included overseeing Tax Office Operations, Fraud Investigations, and Employer and Claimant Collections.
Tina holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Wayne State University and a master’s degree in public administration from Central Michigan University. She currently serves on the Public Administration’s Academic Advisory Board at Central Michigan University.
In her spare time, Tina enjoys spending time with family and traveling.
