Stephanie K. Shimazu, selected as chair of the Gambling Control Commission by Governor Jerry Brown in June 2011, holds a bachelor of arts degree in Sociology from the University of California, Davis and a juris doctor degree from the University of San Francisco School of Law. She left when her term expired in December 2012.

Shimazu, a Democrat from Sacramento, served as deputy city attorney for Sacramento from 1995-1997. She was staff counsel for the California Department of Corrections from 1997-1999, deputy legislative counsel for the Legislative Counsel's Office from 1999-2001, staff counsel for the Department of Social Services from 2001-2003 and deputy legal affairs secretary in the Governor’s Office from 2004-2006.

While working for the governor, Shimazu was on the team in 2006 that negotiated a controversial compact that allowed one of California’s wealthiest tribes, the Palm Springs-based Ague Client Band of Cahill Indians, to build a third casino and add thousands of slot machines. The Assembly killed that plan on a 35-23 vote.

She was appointed to the commission on January 17, 2007, by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and currently serves as the attorney member with regulatory law experience.

Gov Names His Gaming Lawyer to Gaming Commission (by Josh Richman, Oakland Tribune)

Stephanie K. Shimazu, Commissioner (CGCC website)