Joe Brown announced his resignation the week of April 20, 2015. On Tuesday April 28, 2015 Governor Brian Sandoval appointed a new casino executive to the position vacated by Joe Brown. Michonne Ascuaga, a former CEO of John Ascuaga’s Nugget in Sparks, is filling the position available on the Nevada Gaming Commission. Ascuaga is taking what is left of Joe Brown’s term, which is set to end in April 2017.

Sandoval also made another appointment by reappointing Patricia Mulroy to a new four year term. Mulroy initially replaced Peter Bernhard in 2014 and was given a new 4 year term.

Sandoval was pleased that Ascuaga accepted the appointment and sees her willingness to provide public service to the community. He is confident she will be a successful regulator.

Ascuaga has extensive casino history starting at 13, when she was a front desk clerk up to her 1997 appointment as CEO of the family business. She also chairs the Washoe K-12 Education Foundation. The Ascuaga family sold their Sparks property in 2013 and became advisors throughout the transition.