Board of Directors

Fifteen residents of Black Hawk County make up the BHCGA Board of Directors to represent the broad interests across the Cedar Valley. Each board member can serve up to two three-year terms and must be a licensed operator through the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission. Potential board members go through a nomination process and are subject to approval by the full Board of Directors.

Executive Committee Members

Melanie Knipp
President
2nd term expires 6/30/2028
Selvedina Samardzic
Vice President
2nd term expires 6/30/2029
John Huff
Secretary
2nd term expires 6/30/2028
Stacey Bentley
Treasurer Elect
1st term expires 6/30/2027
Brian Schoon
At-Large
1st term expires 6/30/2028

Board Members

Russell Buchanan
2nd term expires 6/30/2029
Umar Chohan
1st term expires 6/30/2028
Oksana Grybovych Hafermann
1st term expires 6/30/2028
Zach Hansen
1st term expires 6/30/2029
Chiquita Loveless
2nd term expires 6/30/2028
MaTrasa Maae
1st term expires 6/30/2029
Will Montgomery
1st term expires 6/30/2029
Chad Swanson
1st term expires 6/30/2029
Mike Tyer
2nd term expires 6/30/2029
LeKeisha Veasley
1st term expires 6/30/2027

Staff

Emily Hanson
Executive Director
emily.hanson@bhcga.org
Sarah Craft
Grant Coordinator
sarah.craft@bhcga.org

Location

114 E. 4th St, Ste 300
Waterloo, IA 50703
Copyright © 2026 Black Hawk County Gaming Association. All Rights Reserved.
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