Message #5 From:
NewsBot Date: September 12, 2005 07:41:00 AM
VCAT News Renowned Former Tribal Chairman Clifford LaChappa Joins VCAT as Vice President of Native American Business Development
LAS VEGAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 12, 2005--Venture Catalyst Incorporated ("VCAT") (OTCBB:VCAT), announced today that Clifford LaChappa, who served as the chairman of the Barona Band of Mission Indians for 16 years, has joined the company as Vice President of Native American Business Development.
Guided by his commitment to excellence in business, technology (VCAT's award-winning Mariposa CRM Software was developed during his tenure) and innovation, LaChappa helped establish the Barona Valley Ranch Resort & Casino as a leading gaming destination resort in California. He was one of the first tribal leaders to recognize the importance of tribal ownership and successful relationships with non-tribal entities. His acumen, vision, and legacy have been an inspiration to gaming tribes throughout the United States.
LaChappa's role at VCAT will be to assist other Tribes in understanding the importance of their role as business owners and help them understand how to develop meaningful relationships with people and organizations that can assist in their successful business development.
"We are privileged to have Clifford join our team at VCAT," said Don Speer, chairman and founder of VCAT. "His relationships within the Native American community and his legacy at the Barona Valley Ranch Resort & Casino will lend invaluable insight to VCAT, Barona and Mariposa's growing portfolio of Tribal gaming clients. As consultants to Barona, we have had the honor of working with Clifford in his capacity of Tribal Chairman for the past 15 years and we now look forward to working with him to bring his expertise to tribes across the nation."
Clifford M. LaChappa served as the Chairman of the Barona Band of Mission Indians from 1989 through 2004 and as a member of the Tribal Council from 1988 through 1989.
"After working with Don and the team at VCAT for the past 15 years, I am proud to have the opportunity to join such a talented and respected team of experts who are committed to Native Americans and to tribal gaming," said LaChappa. "I know that most tribes focus on the importance of their business operations and I agree with that. But, I want to take some of the important lessons I learned while in office to other tribes across the country. My top priority in my new role is to help tribes develop strong relationships with the best business experts in our industry and to take a leadership role in developing long-lasting relationships based on mutual trust, respect and honesty."
Throughout his career, LaChappa's achievements were focused on moving the Barona Tribe towards economic self-sufficiency and success. His vision and leadership helped transform Barona Valley Ranch Resort & Casino into a major economic force of over 3,400 employees and eliminated tribal unemployment and reliance on welfare.
Committed to community service, his leadership also helped establish Barona as a major contributor within the San Diego community and reinforced pride among the members of the Barona Band of Mission Indians.
That pride, in part, stems from accomplishments such as the establishment of trust funds, loan programs and college scholarship programs for members; the creation of educational incentives; the improvement of roads, utilities, housing and emergency services; and the groundwork for economic diversification beyond the casino.
Born on the Barona Reservation, LaChappa studied at San Diego State University and California State University, Long Beach. He is the proud father of four children and grandfather of eight.
About Venture Catalyst Incorporated
VCAT is a provider of consulting services and technology in the gaming and hospitality market. VCAT is headquartered in San Diego, California and has offices in Las Vegas, Nevada. For more information, please contact Andrew Laub for investor relations at 619-330-4000 or ir@vcat.com.
