Dominic E. Dutton, holds the attorney position on the New Mexico Gaming Control Board (NMGCB). He was appointed by Governor Bill Richardson and unanimously confirmed by the New Mexico Senate in 2003. In 2007, Dutton was reappointed to a five-year term, confirmed by the N M Senate and will serve in that capacity at the pleasure of the governor. As a Board Member, he, along with the other board members, regulates gaming in New Mexico, assuring its honesty, fairness and integrity. NMGCB also has oversight responsibility of the State-Tribal Compacts. He is President of the North American Gaming Regulators Association and will serve as its President until July 31, 2008. Previously, he served as Vice President and on NAGRA’S Board of Directors representing the Western States District. In 2007, Dutton was invited into the prestigious International Masters of Gaming Law organization.  Don is a Commissioner with the New Mexico Bar Association, representing the Sixth Bar District, Chavez, Lea, Eddy, Lincoln and Otero Counties. He was recently appointed Bar Liaison to the Supreme Court’s Courts of Limited Jurisdiction Committee and serves as well on the Bar’s Finance and Annual Awards Committees. He is a member of the Advisory Board of Eastern New Mexico University - Ruidoso.  Don, his wife LaDonnah and their Yorkie “Holly” reside in Ruidoso, NM. 

Demesia Padilla was appointed by Governor Bill Richardson to fill the certified public accountant position on the Board.  She is a native New Mexican, raised in Albuquerque’s South Valley.  Ms. Padilla graduated from the University Of New Mexico Anderson School Of Management with distinction.  She is a licensed certified public accountant in the states of Nevada and New Mexico.  In 1985 she began her accounting career with a national accounting firm in Las Vegas, Nevada. Prior to starting her accounting firm, she was an Internal Revenue Service Agent in the Albuquerque office.  Ms. Padilla has been recognized as an outstanding South Valley citizen and distinguished Rio Grande High School Alumni. Demesia is an active member in her community and church serving on numerous boards and committees.  Currently she is the chairperson for the Bernalillo County Audit Committee.  She is excited to meet her new challenges as a Board member and to serve New Mexican’s with integrity.

Jim Peterson was born in Reno, Nevada in 1938 and raised in Hawthorne, Nevada and Los Angeles, California.  He completed high school during his four years in the Air Force and from 1960 to 1962 attended Riverside City College, Riverside, CA.  He was Student Body President of, and received his B.A. degree from, California State University, Fullerton, CA in 1964.  He was employed by the County of Los Angeles, CA as a Probation Officer from 1964 to 1967 and graduated from Loyola University School of Law, Los Angeles, CA in June, 1968.  From 1967 to 1971 he was employed as a lawyer and real estate representative for Thrifty Drug Stores, Los Angeles, CA.  On January 9, 1969, he became a member if the California State Bar Association and the U.S. District Court for the District of California.  Jim is also a member of the Board of Directors of Compass Bank in Albuquerque.

In November, 1971 he moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico and established Peterson Properties, specializing in the development, management, and leasing of high-quality neighborhood shopping centers and major tenant freestanding developments such as Walgreen Drug Stores.  Over the past thirty-seven years, Peterson Properties has successfully developed, leased and managed more than thirty shopping centers containing more than 3 million square feet of retail and office space and more than one hundred-twenty five freestanding national tenants, the majority of which were Walgreen Drug Stores.  Peterson Properties maintains offices in Albuquerque and Farmington, New Mexico.

He has been married for thirty-eight years to Mary who is from Paducah, KY.   She is a “cat” person and he has three small dogs.  Both are avid golfers.  Their charitable interests are primarily served through establishment of the Peterson Learning Center at Manzano Day School, Sandia Prep, and the Albuquerque Academy.  The Learning Centers identify and help students with learning differences.  He has four children: Mae, JC, Doug (two are attorneys and all three work with him at Peterson Properties) and Robin (She is a graduate of Mississippi State Veterinarian School in Starkville, Mississippi and currently lives and works in Eugene, Oregon with her family.).  He has five grandchildren, ages 10 weeks through eighteen. 

Arnold Rael, fills the ex-officio position on the Board.  Mr. Rael began his tenure with the New Mexico Racing Commission in 1991.  He served as a Steward overseeing horse race meets throughout New Mexico.  He was then appointed as a State Steward and continued in that capacity until 2003.  In 2003, Governor Bill Richardson appointed Mr. Rael to serve as a Commissioner on the New Mexico Racing Commission.  He was then nominated and voted into the position of Chairman of the New Mexico Racing Commission in January 2007.

Mr. Rael received his Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Albuquerque where he majored in History and Government with a minor in Spanish.  He also received his Master’s Degree from the University of New Mexico where he majored in Educational Administration with a minor in Guidance and Counseling.  He has completed course work in the Doctoral Program in Education Administration at the University of New Mexico. 

Prior to coming to the New Mexico Racing Commission Mr. Rael worked as a teacher for four years and as a School Administrator for twenty-one years.  Other business ventures included grocery store owner, farming and ranching.