Post by Okwes on Feb 9, 2007 11:50:14 GMT -5
Yaquis' first Indian CEO ready for growth
Long brings big-casino experience
By Levi J. Long
ARIZONA DAILY STAR
Tucson, Arizona | Published: 12.09.2006
advertisementAs a former Atlantic City casino executive, Wendell Long has turned his attention from the glitz and glamour of the city's boardwalk to a pair of tribal-owned casinos dotting southwest Tucson's desert edge.
Long, 43, was hired five months ago as interim CEO for the Pascua Yaqui Tribe's Casino del Sol and Casino of the Sun Enterprises. He replaced former CEO William Walsh, who resigned in July citing personal reasons.
He has held positions with both tribal and nontribal casinos, including an 11-year stint as a casino floor manager at Trump Marina Hotel and Casino, in Atlantic City, N.J.
A member of the Oklahoma Choctaw Nation, Long is now the first American Indian to act as CEO for the Pascua Yaquis' gaming enterprises. It's a key position that helped rack up more than $1.79 billion this year in gambling revenue from the state's 22 casinos in the state.
The position also includes overseeing 1,400 enterprise employees, about half of whom are Native American and Pascua Yaqui members.
We sat down with Long to ask him about his job and his vision for Casino del Sol and Casino of the Sun.
œ Contact reporter Levi J. Long at 573-4179 or llong@azstarnet.com.
Long brings big-casino experience
By Levi J. Long
ARIZONA DAILY STAR
Tucson, Arizona | Published: 12.09.2006
advertisementAs a former Atlantic City casino executive, Wendell Long has turned his attention from the glitz and glamour of the city's boardwalk to a pair of tribal-owned casinos dotting southwest Tucson's desert edge.
Long, 43, was hired five months ago as interim CEO for the Pascua Yaqui Tribe's Casino del Sol and Casino of the Sun Enterprises. He replaced former CEO William Walsh, who resigned in July citing personal reasons.
He has held positions with both tribal and nontribal casinos, including an 11-year stint as a casino floor manager at Trump Marina Hotel and Casino, in Atlantic City, N.J.
A member of the Oklahoma Choctaw Nation, Long is now the first American Indian to act as CEO for the Pascua Yaquis' gaming enterprises. It's a key position that helped rack up more than $1.79 billion this year in gambling revenue from the state's 22 casinos in the state.
The position also includes overseeing 1,400 enterprise employees, about half of whom are Native American and Pascua Yaqui members.
We sat down with Long to ask him about his job and his vision for Casino del Sol and Casino of the Sun.
œ Contact reporter Levi J. Long at 573-4179 or llong@azstarnet.com.