[ST. PAUL, MN] – Governor Tim Walz and Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan today announced that Matthew Gettman has been appointed as the next Executive Director of the Gambling Control Board. Lieutenant Colonel Gettman will be replacing Tom Barrett, who retired earlier this year.

About Matthew Gettman

Lt. Col. Matt Gettman currently serves in the Office of the Staff Judge Advocate, Joint Force Headquarters, Minnesota Army National Guard. He has advised General Officers on public and government relations, contracts, operations, intelligence, and administrative legal matters around the world. He previously served as an International Management Consultant, an Assistant to the Ambassador for the U.S. Department of State in Beijing, and Commercial Representative for the U.S. Department of Commerce in Beijing. Lt. Col. Gettman has also served on the Orono City Planning Commission, Cummins Child Care Center Advisory Board and with numerous other public and not-for-profit organizations. He earned his B.S. from the University of Maryland and his J.D. from the University of Baltimore School of Law.

The Executive Director exists to plan, coordinate, and direct the regulation, licensing, compliance, and educational operations of the Gambling Control Board agency and its staff. The Director will provide the day-to-day responsibility and long-term leadership for assuring the board operates with integrity, security, and transparency in a manner that ensures public confidence. The board oversees a $2 billion charitable gambling industry while operating on a $3.5 million annual budget. More information about the work of the Gambling Control Board can be found on its website.