House Speaker Sam Smith (R-Jefferson) today announced he is reappointing Gary Sojka to the Gaming Control Board. This will be Sojka's [pronounced soyka] third and final term on the board. He is a former Bucknell University president, biology professor and farmer.
"From his very first meeting, Gary brought a much-needed, non-Harrisburg perspective to the Gaming Control Board," Speaker Smith said. "It has always been important to me and to my caucus that we appoint someone not part of the normal political circles in which we tend to operate, and I think Pennsylvania residents and the board have benefitted as a result of Gary's participation."
Prior to his appointment to the Gaming Control Board, Sojka was a professor of biology at Bucknell University, where he served as president from 1984 until 1995. Sojka retired from teaching in 2006.
Sojka, along with his wife Sandy, own and operate a 200-acre Endangered Livestock Breed Conservancy Farm in Middleburg, Snyder County. Sojka is a member and leader in numerous community and agricultural associations.
Sojka graduated Cum Laude from Coe College in Iowa, and then went on to earn a master's degree in genetics and doctorate in microbiology from Purdue University.
"I appreciate the faith and trust the Speaker placed in me to deal with some very controversial issues," Sojka said. "My job and focus has been to help this new Pennsylvania industry get its footing while, first and foremost, looking out for the interests of the Commonwealth and its citizens."
By statute, the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board is made up of seven commissioners who are charged with overseeing the regulatory and legal framework of the gaming industry in the Commonwealth. Smith, as Speaker of the House, is responsible for the appointment of one of the seven commissioners.
