Sanford Rivers was appointed by Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell to a two-year term on the State Gaming Control Board. Rivers is the Assistant Vice President for Enrollment at Carnegie Mellon and serves as the University’s chief labor negotiator. He also served as a National Football League official until this week, when he resigned to avoid conflicts of interest with his new position. Rivers will take a one-year leave of absence from his position at Carnegie Mellon.

“Sanford Rivers’ name at Carnegie Mellon is synonymous with incorruptibility,” said Governor Rendell at the announcement. “As the school’s chief labor negotiator and mediator, as well as a veteran NFL official, Sanford has proven to me that his commitment to fairness and ability to solve problems make him the right person to help mold policies that will be successful as the Board works to craft this burgeoning industry.”

The Pennsylvania General Assembly approved gambling legislation in August allowing for 14 slot machine establishments to be built in the state, including one in Pittsburgh. The Gaming Control Board will oversee all licensing and operations of the gaming facilities. Approximately half of the gambling revenues will be used to reduce school district property taxes across the state by about 20 percent.

“This industry will be built from the ground up, making Sanford’s problem-solving skills and ability to evaluate and reshape programs invaluable to the Board and ultimately the people it serves,” said Governor Rendell. Rivers began his 34-year career at Carnegie Mellon as the head of the Carnegie Mellon Action Project (CMAP), a program originally established to help recruit African American students.