Jordan Maynard

Jordan Maynard, Chair of the Massachusetts Gaming Commission (MGC), has built a distinguished career blending legal expertise, public policy and regulatory oversight. Appointed as Commissioner in 2022 and named Chair by Governor Maura Healey in October 2024, Maynard has been instrumental in advancing Massachusetts’ gaming sector, championing responsible gambling and bolstering youth education on safe sports betting.

Major Achievements

In the early days of his career, Maynard organised several community service projects to support his wider citizenry. He was responsible for projects such as a July Jam concert, Kids 4th of July and a Meals on Wheels initiative.

After he’d gained several years of experience in the industry, Maynard took on 15 law students to help personally mentor them. During this, he would teach them case briefing, reading comprehension and law examination skills.

Maynard was appointed as Commissioner for the Massachusetts Gaming Commission just as the authority legalised sports betting. He would then lead the Commission to legalise online betting in March 2023. 

Employment

A 2010 graduate of Morehead State University and a 2013 graduate of Northern Kentucky University’s Chase School of Law, Maynard initially pursued a legal path focused on civil litigation and client advocacy. He served as a clerk at Osborne & Heaberlin in Kentucky, where he gained hands-on experience managing cases and navigating courtroom dynamics. His early work also included roles as an attorney advocate with Citizens Disability – where he represented clients in navigating the Social Security system – and as a contract attorney at Smith & Brink. These roles helped develop his expertise in federal procedures and client representation. 

Transitioning into public service in 2015, Maynard entered political consulting, supporting campaigns and working on ballot access and voter outreach initiatives. He worked for Jeb! 2016 as a political and legal consultant, successfully managing ballot placements in multiple states and exceeding voter contact goals. His expertise in political strategy also led him to positions with MassVictory and the Baker-Polito Inauguration Committee. 

His path to state government became more defined when he joined the Office of Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker. Starting as Director of Boards and Commissions in February 2019, Maynard quickly advanced to Chief Secretary in February 2021. 

In August 2022, Maynard’s career took a new turn when he was appointed to the Massachusetts Gaming Commission. From the outset, he distinguished himself by focusing on responsible gaming initiatives and consumer protection. Within this role, he has been instrumental in the successful rollout of sports wagering in Massachusetts and has been a key figure in the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Youth Sports Betting Safety Initiative. 

Finally, in October 2024, Governor Maura Healey appointed Maynard as the permanent Chair of the Massachusetts Gaming Commission, a role he had been serving in an interim capacity since March 2024. Upon his appointment, Governor Healey praised Maynard, stating: “I’m grateful to Jordan Maynard for providing strong leadership for the Gaming Commission during this transitional period and proud to appoint him as Chair. He has proven to be a consensus builder who has a deep understanding of the agency and strives to do what’s best for the people of Massachusetts.”