Governor Rendell Appoints Thomas "tad" Decker Chairman of Gaming Control Board

Delaware River Port Authority Member, Corporate Manager Rounds Out Appointments

PHILADELPHIA: Governor Edward G. Rendell today announced the appointment of Thomas “Tad” Decker as Chairman of the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board for a three-year term. Decker, the last of three gubernatorial appointments to the Board, has served in top-level executive positions throughout his career as a nationally respected corporate lawyer and currently sits on the DRPA Board and
PATCO.

“I’ve known Tad personally since college, and throughout Philadelphia and corporate America he is a known commodity,” said Governor Rendell. “During the past 18 months, working with him on the DRPA board, his ability to build consensus while leading efficiently and effectively convinced me he is the
perfect person to get this Board, and industry, up and running.”

As Managing Partner at the law firm of Cozen O’Connor, Decker serves as Chairman of the firm’s Management Committee and concentrates his practice on mergers and corporate law, corporate governance and alternative dispute resolution. The 58-year-old Philadelphia native has served as Chairman of the Committee of Corporate General Counsels of the American Bar Association’s Section of Business Law, and, as a former Chair of the PA Board of Law Examiners, he was appointed by the State Supreme Court to oversee admission to the Pennsylvania Bar.

“Tad’s experience overseeing multi-million dollar corporations coupled with unmatched ability to negotiate and resolve complex problems will ready this Board to review, evaluate and grant licenses expeditiously,” said Governor Rendell. “His reputation as a straight talker who never shies away from a challenge will ready him for Pennsylvania’s public sector.”

Prior to joining Cozen O’Connor in May 2000, Decker was Executive Vice President and General Counsel of Asbury Automotive Group. He also previously served as Senior Vice President and General Counsel for Unisource Worldwide Inc., and as Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer and General
Counsel for Saint-Gobain Corp. Decker earned his B.A. at the University of Pennsylvania in 1968, and his Juris Doctorate from the University of Virginia School of Law in 1971. He and his wife, Candy, have two children.

“This appointment will give me an opportunity to fulfill a lifelong desire to serve in the public sector that up until now has remained something I’ve enjoyed only on a part-time basis,” said Decker. “I am fascinated with the prospect of working with the Board in crafting and implementing rules that will help to shape the industry, and think my years of experience in corporate management and law have readied me to serve Governor Rendell proudly.”

The Gaming Control Board will:

· Issue, deny, renew, revoke, or suspend issuance of any license or permit.
· Enforce the provisions of the bill by, among other things, examining witnesses and issuing subpoenas and document requests.
· Develop and implement an affirmative action plan.
· Require that licensees submit financial reports.
· Make sure that slot machines are properly inspected and certified.
· Require that anyone under 21 years of age not be permitted to use slot machines.
· Ensure that the Department of Revenue and Pennsylvania State Police utilize their full enforcement powers to protect Pennsylvania citizens.
· Conduct open proceedings in accordance with Pennsylvania law.

The Pennsylvania State Police, with the assistance of the Attorney General, will conduct extensive background checks on any person investing in, managing or being employed in any of the gaming facilities. In addition, these same background checks will be conducted on any person serving on the Gaming Control Board. Decker’s appointment is subject to completion of a successful State
Police background check.