Ketterer steps down as Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission head

The Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission appointed Brian Ohorilko as interim director on Thursday, putting the 31-year-old Iowa State University grad in the top gaming regulatory spot in the state.

Ohorilko will take over for his boss, Jack Ketterer, who announced Thursday that he will step down from his post at the end of March. Ketterer has served for 24 years with the commission, first from 1983 to 1989 then again from 1993 to the present. His appointed term expires in April 2014.

“We had a lot of trying times, but I think the main thing is we regulated the industry, we never really had any major scandals, we maintained the integrity of the industry,” Ketterer said.

There were three casinos in the state when Ketterer joined the board in 1983. Now there are 18.

“It fostered a lot of economic development in Iowa when you look at all of the racing and gaming facilities, the number of jobs they created and the number of amenities and the suppliers around them that they supported,” Ketterer said.

He is leaving at a time the state becomes more involved in virtual gaming. A gaming bill passed last year allows people to bet on horse races over the phone, and the commission released a report in December that looked at the issue of allowing the state to get in the online poker business. Legislative leaders in both chambers said an expansion of gaming to include online poker will likely be discussed this session.

Ohorilko was the report's author.

“These are big shoes to fill,” Ohorilko said. “Jack Ketterer is a man of great integrity; great character and is an exceptional regulator.”

Ohorilko, who lives in Mitchellville, holds a bachelor's degree in agricultural business from Iowa State University and a master's in administration from Central Michigan University.

He will make about $125,000, which is the minimum salary range for his position. Ketterer earns $180,000 a year. Ohorilko's appointment is subject to Senate confirmation.

Commission member Toni Urban said she accepted Ketterer's resignation with “much sadness” but was confident in Ohorilko's abilities to take over.

Commissioner Greg Seyfer noted that Ohorilko is a certified referee in high school football and basketball.

“As we all know, that can come in handy sometimes,” he said.

Ketterer said he has no plans to continue working in the gaming industry. He plans to split his time between Iowa and Arizona, where his two sons live.

“I think there's a high level of continuity and stability, I think Jack has groomed Brian very well,” said Wes Ehrecke, president and CEO of the Iowa Gaming Association. “He's had a good mentor with Jack. Jack is respected around the country, he's a man of high integrity and that's certainly what he brought to the commission.”