Juliet Abdel, IOM
President & SVP Government Affairs; Greater Topeka Chamber
Juliet Abdel stands at the helm as the dynamic President of the Greater Topeka Chamber, breaking barriers as the first woman to lead since its inception. Her influence extends nationally, serving as a Director on the governing body of the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives and contributing to the Advisory Council for the Leadership Program of the Rockies. Juliet is also a chartering member of the Rocky Mountain Alumni Chapter of Sigma Lambda Gamma Multi-Cultural Sorority and has been a dedicated spokesperson for the American Heart Association’s Go Red program since 2021 and Women Heart since 2022.
Juliet’s commitment to community service is illustrious, having served on the U.S. Chamber Board of Directors as an Institute Regent, the United Nations Association in Oklahoma City Chapter, and various other boards dedicated to inclusivity and community development. Armed with a master’s degree in international studies, specializing in development, society, and education from Oklahoma State University, Juliet has authored publications on female empowerment and entrepreneurship.
Her expertise in Chamber and private sector management, coupled with a background in public policy, enhances her role as an industry speaker. Under her guidance, organizations have achieved statewide and national recognition, securing awards for public policy and earning the title of statewide non-profit of the year. Juliet’s strategic leadership has also led to selections into numerous prestigious industry programs, showcasing her profound impact on the realms of business and community development.
LaKeita "Keita" Ahern
Corporate Director; Ancillary Gaming
Keita is a Las Vegas native who began her career at the age of 17 as an intern with Station Casinos in the room reservations department. For the first 10 years of her career, she worked in various hospitality positions such as technical hotel and call center trainer, Supervisor, revenue management, and Sales /Catering.
She was given an opportunity to be an Executive Assistant to a VP to get a glimpse into her long-term dream job. While in that position for 5 years that VP taught her about budgeting, Profit and Losses, labor management, gaming regulations, and more. She was offered her first gaming management role and has not looked back.
The wonderful world of Bingo and Keno was a huge fear and now found passion. She started out as Bingo manager of Texas Station, assisted with designing and opening a brand new bingo room and keno lounge at Palace Station, was promoted to a Luxury property at Red Rock Resort, and is now Corporate Director of Ancillary gaming overseeing six properties.
In 2020, she was named Leader of the Year by her peers. Her goal is to change the perception of Bingo and Keno using innovation, social media marketing, mobile apps, and creating a no judgment environment. Targeting social media platforms, highlighting our “party” style bingo sessions, our spunky personalities via Tik Tok, and educational videos showing that bingo is not intimidating but extremely fun. “Come on Caller make me Holler” – BINGO!
CHRISTAL BRADLEY
Bingo & Keno Manager; Green Valley Ranch Resort, Spa & Casino
Christal Bradley is the Bingo & Keno Manager at Green Valley Ranch Resort, Spa & Casino in Henderson, Nevada. She has over a decade in the gaming and hospitality industries, all with Station Casinos, specializing in Bingo Operations. She started as a Guest Room Attendant in 2013 at Texas Station, and moved into Bingo in 2014. She has worked at multiple properties including Texas Station, Sunset Station, Palace Station, and Green Valley Ranch. She has earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Finance and a Master’s Degree in Business Administration. Her passion is operations, while building cohesive teams and amazing bonds with guests. Her knowledge includes MICS, SICS, GCB, P&L’s, Budgets, Progressive Meters, Excel, Word, POS, JDE, SDS, Guest Locator, Marketing, promotion projects, orders and quotes, staffing, team building, cash handling, progressive discipline, inventory, conflict resolution, and so much more. She has been awarded Team Member of the Month multiple times, as well as Leader of the Year. She was born in California and has lived in Nevada for more than thirty years. She is also a Licensed Notary and an Ordained Wedding Officiant. When Christal is not focused on business matters, she enjoys listening to music, attending paint & sips, and traveling. “Even if you are on the right track, you’ll get run over if you just sit there.” – Will Rodgers
STEVEN BREWER
Training Manager; National Indian Gaming Commission
Steve Brewer is the Training Manager for National Indian Gaming Commission and has held this position since October 2015. The training manager manages the training program for the agency which includes both internal and external training and technical assistance in line with the strategic plan and commission imitative of developing a strong workforce both internally and externally. Steve has over 17 years of gaming experience and brings to the agency a unique skill set that has positioned him well as the manager of the training program.
Steve started his career with the NIGC back in December 2008 as a Field Auditor, where he conducted audits of the MICS and commission regulations. Prior to that Steve worked for a tribe under the Tribal Gaming Regulatory Authority where he held a myriad of positions. Steve is a veteran of the U.S. Army having spent 22 years as a Military Policeman.
Brooke Fiumara
co-Founder & co-Chief Executive Officer; OPTX
Brooke is the co-Founder and co-CEO of OPTX, the award-winning casino data platform in the gaming industry. Brooke brings a wealth of gaming industry experience and leadership to OPTX, having shaped, and defined gaming solutions and innovation for a wide range of notable hospitality and resort properties across the country.
Prior to co-founding OPTX, Brooke served as the Chief Marketing Officer for Warner Gaming overseeing all marketing and business intelligence operations for Warner Gaming’s managed and owned properties, from Four-Diamond destinations to local gaming and tribal properties. Brooke is a proud alumna of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and uses her vast knowledge and expertise in casino operations, marketing, and technology to drive day-to-day operations for OPTX. Brooke’s drive and passion for finding a complete software solution for the gaming industry lead OPTX to a Global Gaming Awards 2022 and 2023 nomination for Land-Based Product of the Year. With her hands-on involvement in the development of products, she has ensured that OPTX’s cutting-edge technology provides operators with innovative solutions while increasing revenue and profitability.
Brooke co-chairs the Marketing Committee for the nonprofit organization Global Gaming Women, which supports, inspires, and influences the development of women in the gaming industry along with being a moderator of a lean-in circle, one of the organization’s mentorship programs. She also was honored with the Global Gaming Women 2023 Patricia Becker Pay It Forward Award.
Brooke is known for her hands-on approach to leadership, inspiring her team with her passion for service both to her clients and to her team. Brooke was honored by Las Vegas Weekly for being an influential 40 under 40 and was nominated as American Executive of the Year by the Global Gaming Awards in 2022. Brooke’s significant impacts in the casino gaming industry were recognized by the Innovation Group as an honoree of the Emerging Leaders of Gaming 40 Under 40 in 2023.
chris garrow
Director of Gaming; Prairie Band Casino & Resort
Chris Garrow has 29+ years of experience in the casino industry, with a career spanning corporate and tribal properties. He is currently the Director of Gaming at Prairie Band Casino & Resort, responsible for optimizing revenue from slots, table games, sports betting, and bingo. Chris previously served as Director of Gaming Operations at Treasure Island Resort & Casino, where he launched social gaming. He has also worked at Monte Carlo Resort & Casino, Ho-Chunk Nation Black River Falls, and Nekoosa in Wisconsin. Chris has a progressive gaming philosophy and focuses on pushing for innovation while keeping profitability in mind.
RON HARRIS
President, Chief Executive Office, and a Founder; Aries Technology, LLC.
Mr. Harris sets the strategic direction of the Company. Aries, formerly known as Rocket Gaming Systems, has been serving the Native American Class II industry since 1996 with one of the most innovative, wide area, downloadable, real time interactive gaming networks. Mr. Harris has been one of the driving forces behind the efforts that developed state of the art Class II technical and control standards. Mr. Harris holds a BSBA in Economics and Marketing Management from Missouri Southern State University and a MBA with an emphasis in Finance from the University of Arkansas.
Dustin Haverkamp
Human Resources Operations Specialist; Blue Stone Strategy Partners
Dustin received his Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Washburn University and completed his Master of Science in Organizational Development Psychology from Avila University.
Haverkamp's career in Human Resources has spanned over 14 years within Tribal Gaming and Government with the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation (Kansas). He has been responsible for providing support to all levels of management and employees, including, but not limited to, providing guidance on employee relations issues, conducting evaluations on policy violations, performance management, devising and implementing policies and procedures, developing compensation plans, and maintaining Employee Handbooks.
Haverkamp volunteered as the first Director of Social Media with the Kansas State Council of SHRM (Society of HR Management), and in 2021 he was voted into the inaugural Native American Risk Management (NARM) Board of Directors as Secretary.
Devin Henderson
Motivational Keynote Speaker, Comedian, and Magician
A multi-talented powerhouse: an experienced presenter and seasoned performer, Devin Henderson has logged thousands of performances as an award-winning comedian and magician and in-demand keynote speaker over his two-decade professional career. He is the host of The Possibility Mindset Podcast. Devin’s passion is using his unique talents and experiences to inspire individuals and organizations to discover their greatest potential and resilience to keep going no matter what.
Devin’s greatest challenges, accomplishments and lessons are interwoven into an unforgettable experience that inspires audiences to stay mentally strong and never give up. He does this through a unique combination of mind-blowing magic, heartfelt storytelling, humor, and audience interaction that audiences have called “unreal,” “unexpected,” and “unforgettable.”
