Senior Executive Officer, Division of Commerce, Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma
Janie Dillard began her career with the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma in 1982 as a secretary for Community Health. A modern-day trailblazer, Janie set her roots in the gaming industry when the Choctaw Bingo Palace opened in 1987. As Director of Gaming, she led the Nation’s expansion throughout southeastern Oklahoma. By 2001, she was Executive Director of Gaming, managing the Tribe’s gaming compact with the State of Oklahoma and opening four casinos including the $300 million flagship Choctaw Casino & Resort in Durant – completing all projects debt-free.
Janie became Senior Executive Officer for the Division of Commerce in January 2018. In this role, Janie oversees daily operations, provides strategic guidance and optimizes the Nation’s revenue-generating businesses to accelerate the success of the Tribe and ensure every Choctaw a proud future.
Janie served as an Officer for the Oklahoma Indian Gaming Association for 18 years. A founder of the first OIGA Tradeshow, she helped OIGA grow from 12 vendors and 50 attendees in 1994 to a premier Gaming Tradeshow. In 2010, Janie was awarded the OIGA Warriors Award for lifetime achievement.
In 2011, Janie one of 11 gaming professionals presented with Casino Enterprise Management’s “2010 Great Women of Gaming Proven Leader Award” for her outstanding professionalism, perseverance, drive, commitment and mentorship.