42 Global Gaming Business FEBRUARY 2019Glass Half Full
Gena Caviness
Auditor, National Indian Gaming Commission, Tulsa RegionG
ena Caviness is no stranger to hard work, having begun her career
at just 20 years old as a promotions representative for a small
casino. Two years later, her responsibilities tripled when she found her-
self juggling work, school and motherhood.
Says Caviness, “It wasn’t always easy, but I tried to tackle every chal-
lenge that approached by staying positive, making the most out of the
experience, and growing with it.” Her relentless optimism enabled her to
view such challenges instead as opportunities, and in time, she acquired
knowledge and experience on both the operations and regulatory sides
of gaming, climbing the corporate ladder until she reached a managerial
role in 2014 with the Cherokee Nation Gaming Commission.
A Cherokee citizen, Caviness credits her tribe for the invaluable ex-
perience she gained, remaining ever thankful to such mentors at the
Cherokee Nation Gaming Commission as Kelly Myers, Traci Asher and
Jamie Hummingbird, who all taught her patience, gave her chances, and
trusted her to make the right decisions.
But the person who impacted her the most? Her sister, Jennifer
Sanders, assistant athletic director for Tulsa Public Schools, someone
Caviness looked up to all her life, and who pushed her to excel. And
with the added support of her husband, mother and children, Caviness
has felt continually empowered to achieve her goals and advance her career.
Now with talented leaders such as National Indian Gaming Commission Chairman Jonodev Chaud-
huri to look up to, Caviness is tackling her new position as auditor at the NIGC with the same determina-
tion and edge that has served her well for the past 13 years.
Known for her honesty, trustworthiness and optimism, her outgoing personality and propensity for
voicing her opinion are both traits that have benefited Caviness despite her original lack of experience, and
have gotten her on the road to senior management. Caviness has also benefited from taking on unconven-
tional roles and stepping outside of the box, noting that such experiences have educated her on different
aspects of the gaming industry.
Caviness continues to learn from those around her, and she takes pride in her ability to maintain both
confidence and a positive outlook.
“There have been some challenging times in both my personal and professional life,” she says, “but
keeping my head up, being true to myself and working hard have all kept me pushing on with my career.”
Her “everything happens for a reason” family motto has also played a part in her career choices, and
whether good or bad, the decisions she made allowed her to grow and to learn. She believes, “There is a
plan in place for all of us, and it’s just up to us to make the most of it.”
Caviness’ success has given her a natural passion for mentoring, as she loves sharing her knowledge of
the gaming industry with other young professionals, her truthfulness about the hard work that goes into
climbing the ladder being one of her main methods of support.
“I believe that providing people with expectations and challenges helps them prepare for the future
and what’s to come,” Caviness says.
She was particularly excited to be named among the Emerging Leaders of Gaming “40 Under 40”
Class of 2018-2019, calling the program “an honor that represents hard work and passion for the gaming
industry.”
In looking back on her career journey, she offers advice to other eager, young professionals looking to
move up. “It’s OK to be patient,” she says, “Listen to the leaders around you, and take chances. Those
chances are what provide future opportunities.”
—Marie Casias, Manager, Marketing & Administration, The Innovation GroupEMERGINGLEADERS
T
amara “Tammy” Malvin is a partner at
Akerman LLP with a focus on gaming
and hospitality. Leveraging her base in South
Florida, Malvin has expanded Akerman’s
gaming practice over the last several years, fo-
cusing on casino and parimutuel clients in the
United States and internationally. As an
emerging leader, Malvin continues to build an
extensive network of peers and industry con-
tacts involving her in a myriad of professional
associations and causes.
Malvin joined Akerman after receiving her
law degree at the University of Miami School
of Law following her undergraduate degree
from Tufts University. Over the past decade,
Malvin has worked extensively in federal, state
and appellate courts in a variety of litigation
matters, ranging from fiduciary duty claims to
contract disputes to premises liability defense.
In addition to her courtroom advocacy,
her clients turn to her for regulatory analysis
and risk management advice. Malvin routinely
defends foreign clients in the hospitality and
gaming spaces facing lawsuits in the United
States, and helps them to establish best prac-
tices. As gaming and hospitality become more
dependent on technology-driven develop-
ments, Malvin has kept pace, expanding her
credentials in cybersecurity and emerging
technologies.
Malvin’s interest in gaming, and the
parimutuel industry in particular, is no acci-
dent. Her father, Scott Savin, has been in-
volved in Florida’s parimutuel slot industry
since its inception, and has held senior posi-
tions at multiple Florida parimutuel facilities
and racinos. While crediting her father as theGaming Law
Leader
Tamara Malvin
Attorney & Partner, Litigation Practice
Group, Akerman LLP“It wasn’t always
easy, but I tried
to tackle every
challenge that
approached by
staying positive,
making the
most out of the
experience, and
growing with it.”p. 42 emerging:Layout 1 1/10/19 12:31 PM Page 42