The Native American Finance Officers Association (NAFOA) has named Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians’ Chumash Enterprises CEO Holly Gagnon as Executive of the Year.
The honor was conferred at the NAFOA’s 34th annual conference at the Gila River Indian Community’s Sheraton Wild Horse Pass Resort near Phoenix.
The NAFOA praised the honoree: “Gagnon has consistently led gaming enterprises to success by increasing margins, stabilizing finances, and recruiting experienced and respected executive teams.”
Gagnon oversees the Chumash Casino Resort, Hotel Corque, Root 246, and various other properties owned by the tribe in Solvang and the Santa Ynez Valley, which are along California’s central coast.
Gagnon was previously President and CEO of Pearl River Resort, owned by the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians.
In her own statement Gagnon said, “Awards like these are given to individuals, but we all know that it takes talented team members and a collaborative effort to truly achieve success.”
