The Chehalis tribe announced last week that it will be retaining Lisa Miles, interim chief executive officer of the Lucky Eagle Casino and Hotel in Washington as permanent CEO.
Miles has had the job since February after the former CEO left. She had been chief financial officer since 2002.
In a statement Miles said, “I am honored and humbled to accept this new role and look forward to ensuring continued success for the Lucky Eagle Casino & Hotel and the Chehalis Tribe in this increasingly competitive market.” The property recently completed a $40 million expansion.
The tribe’s Business Committee Chairman Harry Pickernell said in a statement “Miles was the obvious choice for CEO. Her experience, talents and relationships are suited to lead the Lucky Eagle Casino & Hotel. We are confident that she will take the casino in a new direction while maintaining a superior guest experience.”
To make the casino more competitive Miles said they plan to offer free concerts during the summer, and to adopt a three-year strategic plan spelling out other things to attract customers, with a special emphasis on high levels of service.
This requires that all employees be treated with respect and that no one’s job is considered more important than any other job, said Miles. “That culture stays true to our organization,” she said.
Miles has been very familiar with the casino, have started at the Lucky Eagle in 1995 as CFO. She left for a few years but returned because, she said, she missed her former coworkers.
