Corporate Governance
Spirit Mountain Casino was created to enhance economic self-sufficiency opportunities for the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde, its members, and surrounding communities. The Spirit Mountain Gaming, Inc. (SMGI) Board of Directors is responsible for protecting Spirit Mountain Casino and the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde shareholder interests, establishing policies for management, supporting executives and their teams, maintaining company resources, setting general company goals, making sure that SMC is equipped with the tools it needs to be managed well, and general oversight of the corporation and making decisions about important issues that the company faces.
There are 4 committees of the SMGI Board:
- Audit
- Finance
- Corporate Governance
- Surveillance
Board Members
Andy Jenness
SMGI Board Chairman
Andy enjoys public speaking, something he has honed by speaking to children at church, and spending time with his very large family; he has seven daughters/son-in-laws and nine grandchildren. With that many girls in the house Andy learned to fix cars, though he insists he is not a mechanic. Andy is an enrolled member of the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde.
Board, Committee and/or Council Service
Andy Jenness has served the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde in several capacities including serving on Tribal Council, the SMGI board for two years in the late 2000s, and currently serving on the SMGI board since January 2020. Andy was appointed Chairman of the Board in January 2021. He also has served on the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde editorial board for Smoke Signals newspaper for the past four years.
Professional Background
Andy co-manages Jennessco, LLC, a boutique public relations company that he started with his wife. He is also a Pro-Tem instructor at the School of Journalism and Communication at the University of Oregon, and previously at the Lunquist College of Business. Andy also serves as a part-time children’s pastor at Life Bible Church.
Education
With a Bachelor of Science in Economics, a Master of Business Administration and a Master of Science in Journalism, all from the University of Oregon (Go Ducks!), Andy is well suited for the SMGI board. He is an entrepreneur at heart and has had much success after some early failures.
Kathleen George
SMGI BOARD VICE CHAIR & CTGR COUNCIL MEMBER
“I enjoy learning Chinuk Wawa, our tribal language, and love any opportunities to be on our rivers.” Kathleen is an enrolled member of the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde.
Board, Committee and/or Council Service
Kathleen has served on the board for 4.5 years, and on Tribal Council for the same time period. Kathleen enjoys learning about and helping enhance the governance of the board of the Tribe’s most important economic investment.
Professional Background
- Tribal Councilwoman September 2016 – present
- Director, Spirit Mountain Community Fund October 2011 – September 2016
- Owner, Cedar Consulting, LLC June 2010 – October 2011. Environmental consulting firm
- Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, Economic Revitalization Team Liaison February 2011- September 2011
- Senior Policy Analyst, Department of Natural Resources, Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR) 2002 –2010.
- Environmental Coordinator, Department of Natural Resources, Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde, Department of Natural Resources, 1996 - 2002
Education
- Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Biology from Dominican University 1994.
- Graduate studies in Public Administration
Michael Cherry
SMGI BOARD MEMBER
Michael was born and raised in Oregon and is a proud member of the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde. She is happily married with 5 children, two grandsons and a granddaughter. She and her family reside in Salem, Oregon.
Board, Committee and/or Council Service
Michael is proud to be representing her tribe on the SMGI Board of Director’s for the past two years; she strives to help strengthen guest relations and build rapport and morale with employees, our greatest asset.
Professional Background
Michael began her career in Indian Child Welfare in 1990. Most recently she worked for Spirit Mountain Casino as a Marketing Manager from 2009 to 2017 and prior to that served as the Employee Development Manager in the Human Resources Department for five years. Michael is honored to be serving in her current role as the Executive Director for the Spirit Mountain Community Fund for the past four years.
Education
Michael has a Bachelor’s Degree in Organizational Leadership and is studying for her Master’s degree.
Matthew Kirkland
SMGI Board Member & Surveillance Committee Chair
Matthew is a member of the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde and credits his career to the early professional opportunities provided to him by the Tribe. He was the 7th employee hired at Spirit Mountain Casino in 1995, where he worked in the Human Resources Department.
Board, Committee and/or Council Service
Matthew has been serving on the Spirit Mountain Gaming Inc. Board of Directors for four years.
Professional Background
Following six years of military service in the U.S. Army, Matthew attended Western Oregon University where he received a B.S. in Public Policy and Administration.
Matthew’s Human Resources career included roles as a Regional Human Resources Manager for Safeway’s Seattle Division and the Director of Human Resources for Tribal businesses and governments in California, Oregon and Washington.
Education
Matthew went on to receive a M.S. in Human Resources Management and a Graduate Certificate in Organizational Leadership from Chapman University in 2000. In 2004 Matthew shifted from HR to a career in the Federal government.
Matthew’s work as a public administrator included serving as the National Realty Officer for the Bureau of Indian Affairs in Washington D.C. and his current role as the Director of Real Property Services for Bonneville Power Administration in Portland Oregon.
Drew Mahalic
SMGI BOARD MEMBER & FINANCE COMMITTEE CHAIR
Drew is committed to physical and mental exercises to keep himself healthy and productive, with the goal of becoming a better version of himself each day.” Drew says, “I believe in the power of prayer that has potential beyond our imaginations.
Board, Committee and/or Council Service
Drew’s Board service began at the beginning of 2019. He has a deep affection for the Grand Ronde Tribal Nation and experience to advise effectively on financial and other business related decisions.
Professional Background
Drew was the CEO of the nonprofit Oregon Sports Authority for 22 years and is now retired. The organization was the "chamber of commerce for sports in Oregon." He is also a five-year veteran of the National Football League, with the Philadelphia Eagles and San Diego Chargers.
Education
- Bachelor of Arts from the University of Notre Dame in Business Management
- Juris Doctor from Harvard Law
Lisa Watson
SMGI BOARD MEMBER & CORPORATE GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE CHAIR
Lisa is a member of the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde. She has recently developed an interest in hiking through the vast forests of the Pacific Northwest. Lisa is fond of solving puzzles, and she loves both dogs and cats. In non-COVID times, she enjoys traveling internationally. Lisa is an avid reader and listens to political podcasts daily.
Board, Committee and/or Council Service
As of January 2021, Lisa is one of the newest members of the SMGI Board, and is excited to serve on the SMGI Board to give back to the tribal community and to be in service to the tribe and her ancestors. She hopes to learn more about Grand Ronde tribes and people, current challenges and resiliency, and to connect with more tribal members.
Professional Background
After a sales career in the food industry, Lisa was a small business entrepreneur for 10 years as founder and owner of Cupcake Jones Bakery in Portland, she was Director of Development at Latino Network, then Deputy Director at Our House of Portland. Lisa is now the Executive Director of American Leadership Forum of Oregon (ALF). Lisa’s ALF experience was transformational personally and professionally, and was the catalyst for her to reconnect with her Native American heritage.
Education
Lisa graduated from PSU with a Bachelor's Degree in Sociology in 1989.
Mia Prickett
SMGI BOARD MEMBER
Mia is an enrolled member of the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde and a customer marketer with a demonstrated history of working with Fortune 1000 CIOs and CISOs, building and amplifying customer success stories and thought leadership opportunities. She encapsulates excellent customer and internal relationship development skills, focusing on forging ongoing value-driven relationships between the company and its customers and building a customer-centric community that drives innovation, success, and evangelism.
Bio coming soon!