
"Our employees are dedicated to the pursuit of the protection of Tribal Assets while insuring fairness and integrity throughout."


Emra Arkansas
Interim Executive Director - Cherokee Tribal Gaming Commission
Meet Our Staff
Our Staff consists of highly trained personnel who have well over a combined total of 236 years of gaming experience as of 2015. Over 80% of our staff has a Bachelor's degree or higher. We operate under our own separate Personnel Policy from the Tribe and Casino. Our Staff is highly motivated and well trained. The Executive Director is hired by the Tribal Gaming Commission Commissioners. The day to day staff report directly to the Managers and Supervisors at each property. The Managers report directly to the Executive Director.
(Click photo to read each employees biography) *This function does not work on the Mobile Site
Main Office Staff

Main Office Phone Numbers:
828-497-7556
828-497-2010
828-497-0089 - FAX

Melissa has been employed with the Cherokee Tribal Gaming Commission since September 1999. She resides in the Birdtown Community; she has four children and one grandchild. She has an Associate's and Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration from Montreat College. She oversees an annual budget for the Commission of $7.7 million dollars.

Teia came to work at the Gaming commission in 2015 as the receptionist at the Main office. Then started as a license officer in 2016. In her free time she enjoys spending time with her husband Jake and three children Memphis, Charlie Rose and Lucy.

Kayla was employed by Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort in the Table Games department for 7 years before coming to work with The Cherokee Tribal Gaming Commission. She lives in Cherokee with her two sons Talan and Colton. In her free time she enjoys watching her sons play sports including football, basketball, baseball, and wrestling.

Katie started her career with the Gaming Commission in 2017. Before coming to the Commission, Katie was employed for 11.5 years by Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort. Katie held positions in the Food and Beverage and Beverage/Operations departments. Since working with the Commission, Katie has obtained her Bachelors in Business Management. She enjoys spending time with her three children, Cohen, Jayla, and Teigan and her husband Jeremy.


Melissa Smith
Administrative Manager
828-554-1372
Teia Corbin
License Supervisor
828-554-1373
Kayla Crowe
Background Investigator
828-554-1376
Katie Smith
Background Investigator
828-554-1376
Jayce Wolfe
License Coordinator
828-554-1375
Ginger Owle
Finance Officer
828-554-1371

Cherokee Office Phone Numbers:
828-497-8835
828-497-8270
828-497-7935 - FAX

Emra came to the TGC with a total of 12 years Casino Experience. She began in Table Games and then moved to the Casino Marketing Team as a Casino Host. Emra climbed the ladder to a Casino Marketing Manager where she oversaw the VIP Host Team. Emra holds a Bachelor Degree in Psychology and in History from ETSU. She also holds a Master’s Degree in Legal Studies from the University of Oklahoma, specializing in Indian Law. Emra enjoys globetrotting and spending time with her family and friends.

Don lives in the Big Cove Community with his wife. He holds a Masters Degree in Management and Leadership from Montreat College. He has 3 children and enjoys gardening and enjoying his grandchildren.

Shelly has been with the Commission since 2012. She graduated from Southwestern Community College with a diploma in HVAC and Heating and Refrigeration, in which she also holds universal certification. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family and enjoying the outdoors.


Verlin has been with the Commission for over 23 years, prior to the Commission he worked for Harrah’s Cherokee Casino. In his spare time Verlin enjoys fishing and the outdoors. He resides in the 3200 Acre Tract Community.

Roy has been with the Commission since September of 2012 and began working in the gaming industry in 2008. He holds diplomas in HVAC and Refrigeration Technology and Electrical / Electronic Technology from Southwestern Community College. The most important thing to Roy is his family. Other activities like hunting, fishing, and hiking helps to keep Roy active.

Telly has worked for the Commission since 2004, prior to that he worked at Harrah’s Cherokee Casino in the positions of Impressment Staff and as a Games Performance Slot Technician. Telly has 3 degrees from Western Carolina University that include a degree in European History, Modern Philosophy, and Special Education.

Sandy joined the Gaming Commission in 2015. She previously worked for Harrahs Cherokee Casino in the Finance and Surveillance Departments. She holds a AA, AS in Forest Technology and a BS in Natural Resources from Western Carolina University. In her spare time she loves spending time outdoors and at home with her three cats and one dog.

Shawn started working in the gaming industry in 1995 at the Tribal Casino/Bingo with 30 machines. Shawn quickly became an Operations Supervisor. During his employment as Operations Supervisor, he received Excellence in Management and Supervisory training certificates. He left the industry in 2002, and returned in 2012 as a Surveillance Officer, prior to joining the Commission in Jan. 2015. Shawn’s hobbies include hunting and watching his children play sports.

Matt began his career at Harrah’s Cherokee Casino in 2006 and has held various positions during his tenure such as Game technician, Gaming Host, Surveillance, and VIP Host. Matthew has certifications in diversity training, negotiations, and risk management. Matthew’s hobbies include motorcycling, antiques, and traveling.

Phasouk began working for the Gaming Commission in 2016. He joined Harrah’s Cherokee in 2009 and had held positions in the Table Games and Beverage Departments where he was a Supervisor. Phasouk attended GA State University after serving 8 years in the US Navy. He enjoys playing golf, weight training, and spending time with his dog.

Robert was with Harrah's Cherokee for 19 Years total. He has held positions in Games Performance, Finance and Operations. Robert is currently pursuing a degree in Accounting. He enjoys spending time with his 3 children, playing bass guitar and video gaming.

Brian began working for the commission in 2018. He began his employment with Harrah's Cherokee Casino in April 1998. Brian spent over 20 years working on the Drop Team. Brian likes to spend his free time with his 3 kids.

Andrew spent 4 years in the United States Army before joining the staff at Harrahs Cherokee Casino Resort as a Dual-Rate Surveillance Supervisor. Andrew held that position for two and a half years before he joined the Gaming Commission in 2018 at our Murphy property. Andrew enjoys playing PC games and spending time at the gun range in his spare time.

Luther left the Casino after working just over 2 years in the Surveillance Department as a Dual Rate Supervisor. Luther has a degree from Southwestern Community College in Cyber Crime Technologies. In his spare time he enjoys spending time with his family and fishing.

Jordan is an Enrolled Member of the EBCI & is thankful for being able to serve the community in his position. He holds a Certificate from SCC in Business Administration and is pursuing an associate degree. He served as a Police Officer with CIPD for several years before joining the Surveillance Dept. and then the Commission in 2019. Hobbies include spending time with his daughter, hiking, visiting breweries, touring waterfalls, outdoor photography, and volunteering with the MTS non-profit group.

Danny was born in South Florida but was raised in Haywood County, NC. He started work at Harrah's Cherokee in 2013 after leaving the US Air Force. He has worked as a Table Games Dealer, Gaming Host, Cage Cashier and most recently as a Dual Rate Supervisor in Surveillance. Danny's interests include spending time with family and friends, video games, playing golf, and almost anything Star Wars.
Telly Banks
Lead Inspector
828-497-8270
Administrative Assistant
828-497-8910
Matt Bigmeat
Inspector
828-497-8270
Roy Bradley
Lead Inspector
828-497-8270
Shelly Blankenship
Asst. Supervisor of Enforcement
828-497-8270
Don Wolfe
Supervisor of Enforcement
828-497-8173
Emra Arkansas
Manager of Enforcement
828-497-8920
Verlin Lambert
Lead Inspector
828-497-8270
Shawn Saunooke
Inspector
828-497-8270
Sandra Bleckley
Inspector
828-497-8270
Phasouk Khioukhom
Inspector
828-497-8270
Robert Nicholson
Inspector
828-497-8270
Andrew Weaver
Inspector
828-497-8270
Brian Motola
Inspector
828-497-8270
Luther "Luke" Huffman
Inspector
828-497-8270
Jordan Sampson
Inspector
828-497-8270
Daniel "Danny" Flaherty
Inspector
828-497-8270

Emra came to the TGC with a total of 12 years Casino Experience. She began in Table Games and then moved to the Casino Marketing Team as a Casino Host. Emra climbed the ladder to a Casino Marketing Manager where she oversaw the VIP Host Team. Emra holds a Bachelor Degree in Psychology and in History from ETSU. She also holds a Master’s Degree in Legal Studies from the University of Oklahoma, specializing in Indian Law. Emra enjoys globetrotting and spending time with her family and friends.

Don lives in the Big Cove Community with his wife. He holds a Masters Degree in Management and Leadership from Montreat College. He has 3 children and enjoys gardening and enjoying his grandchildren.

Shelly has been with the Commission since 2012. She graduated from Southwestern Community College with a diploma in HVAC and Heating and Refrigeration, in which she also holds universal certification. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family and enjoying the outdoors.


Verlin has been with the Commission for over 23 years, prior to the Commission he worked for Harrah’s Cherokee Casino. In his spare time Verlin enjoys fishing and the outdoors. He resides in the 3200 Acre Tract Community.

Roy has been with the Commission since September of 2012 and began working in the gaming industry in 2008. He holds diplomas in HVAC and Refrigeration Technology and Electrical / Electronic Technology from Southwestern Community College. The most important thing to Roy is his family. Other activities like hunting, fishing, and hiking helps to keep Roy active.

Telly has worked for the Commission since 2004, prior to that he worked at Harrah’s Cherokee Casino in the positions of Impressment Staff and as a Games Performance Slot Technician. Telly has 3 degrees from Western Carolina University that include a degree in European History, Modern Philosophy, and Special Education.

Sandy joined the Gaming Commission in 2015. She previously worked for Harrahs Cherokee Casino in the Finance and Surveillance Departments. She holds a AA, AS in Forest Technology and a BS in Natural Resources from Western Carolina University. In her spare time she loves spending time outdoors and at home with her three cats and one dog.

Shawn started working in the gaming industry in 1995 at the Tribal Casino/Bingo with 30 machines. Shawn quickly became an Operations Supervisor. During his employment as Operations Supervisor, he received Excellence in Management and Supervisory training certificates. He left the industry in 2002, and returned in 2012 as a Surveillance Officer, prior to joining the Commission in Jan. 2015. Shawn’s hobbies include hunting and watching his children play sports.

Matt began his career at Harrah’s Cherokee Casino in 2006 and has held various positions during his tenure such as Game technician, Gaming Host, Surveillance, and VIP Host. Matthew has certifications in diversity training, negotiations, and risk management. Matthew’s hobbies include motorcycling, antiques, and traveling.

Phasouk began working for the Gaming Commission in 2016. He joined Harrah’s Cherokee in 2009 and had held positions in the Table Games and Beverage Departments where he was a Supervisor. Phasouk attended GA State University after serving 8 years in the US Navy. He enjoys playing golf, weight training, and spending time with his dog.

Robert was with Harrah's Cherokee for 19 Years total. He has held positions in Games Performance, Finance and Operations. Robert is currently pursuing a degree in Accounting. He enjoys spending time with his 3 children, playing bass guitar and video gaming.

Brian began working for the commission in 2018. He began his employment with Harrah's Cherokee Casino in April 1998. Brian spent over 20 years working on the Drop Team. Brian likes to spend his free time with his 3 kids.

Andrew spent 4 years in the United States Army before joining the staff at Harrahs Cherokee Casino Resort as a Dual-Rate Surveillance Supervisor. Andrew held that position for two and a half years before he joined the Gaming Commission in 2018 at our Murphy property. Andrew enjoys playing PC games and spending time at the gun range in his spare time.

Luther left the Casino after working just over 2 years in the Surveillance Department as a Dual Rate Supervisor. Luther has a degree from Southwestern Community College in Cyber Crime Technologies. In his spare time he enjoys spending time with his family and fishing.

Jordan is an Enrolled Member of the EBCI & is thankful for being able to serve the community in his position. He holds a Certificate from SCC in Business Administration and is pursuing an associate degree. He served as a Police Officer with CIPD for several years before joining the Surveillance Dept. and then the Commission in 2019. Hobbies include spending time with his daughter, hiking, visiting breweries, touring waterfalls, outdoor photography, and volunteering with the MTS non-profit group.

Danny was born in South Florida but was raised in Haywood County, NC. He started work at Harrah's Cherokee in 2013 after leaving the US Air Force. He has worked as a Table Games Dealer, Gaming Host, Cage Cashier and most recently as a Dual Rate Supervisor in Surveillance. Danny's interests include spending time with family and friends, video games, playing golf, and almost anything Star Wars.

Valley River Office Phone Numbers:
828-422-5015
828-422-5222 - FAX

Mark came to the Commission in 2017 and brought with him 27+ years of gaming experience. Mark has a Master's Degree in MSML which he obtained from Montreat College. Mark is a family man and enjoys spending quality time with his family.

Luke Buchanan is the Supervisor of Enforcement at the Murphy property. Luke currently holds an Associates Degree in Criminal Justice from Tri-County Community College. Luke has 22+ years in the gaming industry. Luke enjoys traveling, cooking, and playing golf with his wife Beth.

Stephen was born in Sylva and now resides in Marble with his wife Erin and their children. In his spare time he enjoys spending time with his family and playing Magic the Gathering. He has attended Southwestern Community College and Western Carolina University where he studied History and Political Science.

Tina joined the Gaming Commission in 2015. Before coming to the Gaming Commission she worked for Harrahs Cherokee for a total of 14 years. Tina holds an Associates Degree in Information Technologies. She currently resides in Murphy with her husband Steve. She is a proud mother of 3 children and in her spare time she enjoys spending time with family and cooking.

Tim joined the Commission in January 2015. Tim is a graduate of Pisgah High School and has a degree in Electronic Engineering. Tim worked at Harrah’s Cherokee Casino as a technician for three years. Tim spends his spare time in the outdoors as much as possible.

Chris started in the Surveillance Department of Harrah's Valley River Casino and Hotel when the new property opened. Chris holds a Bachelor's and Masters Degree from the University of Central Florida. He enjoys Music and Hiking in his spare time.

A native of Northeastern Ohio, Frank moved to Murphy to escape the cold winters. Frank joined the Gaming Commission in 2017 after 7 years in the Table Games Department. Frank now resides in Scenic Andrews, North Carolina with his wife, Amelia. In his spare time, Frank enjoys camping, cooking, grilling, and reading.

David Started his career in 2016 as a Security Officer in Cherokee then transferred to the Surveillance Department as a Surveillance Officer. David then transferred to the Valley River Casino Surveillance Department in July of 2018. David joined the Commission in June of 2021. David is a Navy Veteran who enjoys spending time with his Wife and their Foster Children.

Nick joined the gaming commission in 2021. He has 7 years in the casino industry with both Harrah’s Cherokee properties. Nick has held positions in Security, Games Performance, and Table Games. Nick enjoys spending time with his family, the outdoors, and cooking.

Originally from South Carolina, Marty moved to Murphy for a fresh start after graduating Clemson University in 2014. Marty is a Navy Veteran as a Hospital Corpsman (FMF). He joined the Gaming Commission in 2022 after 7 years at HCVR in different departments including Surveillance, Caesar’s Rewards and Surveillance Technician. Marty now resides in Hayesville with his daughter Skylar. In his spare time Marty enjoys spending time with Family on Lake Chatuge.

Mike served 11 years active duty in the Army where he had 2 deployments to Iraq. After spending a year in the private contracting sector in Afghanistan he worked for the Rabun County Detention Center. In his spare time he loves spending time with his wife, kids and grandkids.

Tim Manuel
Lead Inspector
828-422-5019
Tina Martin
Lead Inspector
828-422-5016
Luke Buchanan
Supervisor of Enforcement
828-422-5203
Mark Reed
Manager of Enforcement
828-422-5014
Stephen Shuler
Assist. Supervisor of Enforcement
828-422-5016
Chris Savage
Inspector
828-422-5015
Frank Miller
Inspector
828-422-5015
David Wholters
Inspector
828-422-5015
Nicholas "Nick" Johnson
Inspector
828-422-5015
Marty Mason
Inspector
828-422-5015
Michael "Mike" Cosgro
Inspector
828-422-5015
Zoe Jenkins
Inspector
828-422-5015