Oregon’s Coquille Indian Tribe has named one of its own as chief executive officer of the Mill Casino-Hotel & RV Park. Margaret Simpson becomes the first member of the tribe to achieve this distinction.
Tribal Chairman Brenda Meade commented, “It is something to celebrate in Indian Country when you see tribal members work their way up.”
The new CEO started her career at the Mill in 2000 and worked her way up the ladder with jobs that included food and beverage, marketing, players club and hotel operations. She is currently the general manager.
She was in a leadership role when the property endured the biggest challenge in its history, the Covid pandemic that led to it being closed for three months. Before that Simpson oversaw the creation of the tribal member development program.
Commenting on her new role, Simpson said, “Strong Native people becoming gaming experts is an essential way to advance tribal gaming within the industry.”
A board member who endorsed Simpson’s promotion told her: “We didn’t give you this job—you earned it.”
Simpson has a degree in hospitality from the University of Nevada-Las Vegas.
