Managing Member and Founder
Bill Papazian founded Lightstone Solutions, LLC in 2001. Mr. Papazian is a seasoned executive with 35 years of professional experience since he began his career in 1985.
Mr. Papazian specializes in international and national investigative due diligence; international, national and Native American gaming regulation and compliance; investigative due diligence on public pension plan investment targets; public company compliance; and Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) compliance. He also has vast experience in gaming development, finance, construction and management; international and domestic transactional affairs and negotiation; and casino finance, development, management and regulation.
Mr. Papazian's experience in the gaming industry includes corporate and Native American gaming, legal representation, financing, construction, development, operation, licensing and regulation of in excess of one million square feet of casino floor space. He has been a key leader in the opening teams of 10 casinos in Arizona, New Mexico, Oregon, Louisiana and Washington.
Mr. Papazian has also served as a Consulting Expert and Expert Witness in various gaming regulatory matters including complex licensing hearings and commercial finance litigation.
As an investigator, due diligence and regulatory consultant, Mr. Papazian utilizes this expertise to plan and oversee complex multidisciplinary investigations both nationally and internationally.
Clients served by Mr. Papazian and Lightstone Solutions include FORTUNE 100 companies, Federal, State, Tribal and municipal governments and governmental agencies, gaming and non-gaming regulatory agencies, international gaming companies, multi-billion dollar gaming equipment manufacturers and lottery products and services businesses, multi-billion dollar public pension funds, and international law firms.
Gaming Regulatory Commission Appointments
- Chairman of the Buena Vista Rancheria Tribal Gaming Commission
From 2010 to 2014, Mr. Papazian served as founding Chairman of the Buena Vista Rancheria Tribal Gaming Commission in Ione, CA which oversees the Harrah's Northern California Casino complex with 950 slot machines and 20 table games, and various restaurant and entertainment venues. In this position Mr. Papazian was responsible for drafting and implementing policies and procedures, job descriptions, complex licensing issues involving licensing of financiers, licensing of management, employees and vendors, as well as casino design, pre-build and pre-opening licensure and regulatory compliance issues.
- Chairman of the Snoqualmie Gaming Commission
From 2006 to 2013 Mr. Papazian served as founding Chairman of the Snoqualmie Gaming Commission, which regulates the Snoqualmie Casino, an expansive casino near downtown Seattle featuring 1700 slot machines, 54 gaming tables, a poker room, live entertainment and fine dining, and multiple dining venues. In this position Mr. Papazian was responsible for recruiting gaming commission staff, drafting and implementing policies and procedures, job descriptions, complex licensing issues involving licensing of financiers and management, as well as casino design, pre-build and pre- and post-opening licensure and regulatory compliance issues, annual licensure of 1200 employees and 1,000 vendors and vendor representatives, and presiding over licensing appeals hearings.
Gaining Regulatory Trainer
Mr. Papazian conducts various multi-day on-site training programs for gaming regulators and gaming investigators including:
- Training and Best Practices in Conducting Gaming Employee Background Investigations
- Training and Best Practices in Conducting Vendor Due Diligence/Background Investigations
- Training and Best Practices in Conducting Gaming Regulatory Investigations
- Training in Conducting Witness Interviews
- Surveillance Best Practices Training
- Title 31 Compliance Training
- Foreign Corrupt Practices Act Training
Other Career Milestones
- Capital Gaming International, Inc. (NASDAQ:GDFI)
From 1994 to 2001, Mr. Papazian served as Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Member of the Board of Directors of Capital Gaming International, Inc. in Atlantic City, NJ and was integral in the opening of five Native American casinos and two riverboat casinos between 1994 and 2000. Responsibilities included serving as chief legal officer, regulatory affairs and licensing approvals, contract negotiation and implementation, compliance, finance, operations and development.
- Mason, Briody, Gallagher and Taylor
From 1992 to 1994 Mr. Papazian was Of Counsel specializing in corporate securities, transactional, international, gaming and regulatory law at Mason, Briody, Gallagher and Butler, a law firm in Princeton, NJ. Mr. Papazian handled a variety of matters relating to corporate securities, gaming and transactional practice including mergers and acquisitions, venture capital, initial public offerings, private placements, general securities practice, bond financing, riverboat gaming, Native American gaming and gaming regulatory work.
- Montefiore Health System
From 1990 to 1992 Mr. Papazian was Vice President and Associate General Counsel in the Montefiore Health System in New York, NY where he was responsible for technology acquisition contract drafting and negotiation, NYS Department of Health audits, Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations audits, and served as a Member of the Child Abuse Committee.
- Farrell Fritz P.C.
From 1987 to 1990, Mr. Papazian was an Associate Attorney with the firm of Farrell Fritz P.C. in Uniondale, New York where he worked on transactional matters including international mergers and acquisitions, healthcare regulatory practice, municipal bond finance, and technology acquisitions.
Certifications and Memberships
- National Indian Gaming Association Class III Commissioner Certification
- Certified Compliance and Ethics Professional (CCEP)
- Global Chamber (Membership through Lightstone Solutions)
- American Gaming Equipment Manufacturers Association
- (Membership through Lightstone Solutions)
Awards
- Spirit of Philanthropy Award
Association of Fundraising Professionals 2009 Award Recipient.
Conferences and Webinars
Mr. Papazian has been a featured speaker on a variety of international and gaming compliance topics at conferences such as Global Chamber International Compliance Webinars, the New Mexico Indian Gaming Regulators Association, the New Mexico Tribal Gaming Symposium, and a variety of law firm CLE programs.
Non-Profit Experience
- Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Phoenix - Board of Directors 2010 to 2012
- Ballet Arizona - Board of Directors and Chairman of Corporate Advisory Committee 2008 - 2011
- Mr. Papazian is an Ordained Acolyte at St. Apkar's Armenian Church, part of the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America. His personal ministry and goals are to help families who have special needs children, and encouraging brotherhood, respect and unity among all peoples. Mr. Papazian strives to meet these goals through spiritual talks to both church and non-church members, as well as one-on-one time spent with families in need.
- Mr. Papazian serves as a Special Guest Producer and Co-Host at large of The 40th Street Group on KFNX Independent Talk Radio. The show promotes business, education, culture and awareness of important issues in a lively, fun "coffee table talk" format and is intended to be an enlightened and respectful alternative to the devolved dialog of mainstream and social media.
Community and Civic
Education
- McGeorge School of Law, University of the Pacific
J.D. 1986 (Sacramento, CA) - New York University
B.A. (Philosophy/Computer Science/Literature) 1983 (New York, NY)