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Viejas Government Officers
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Chairman |
Vice Chairman |
Secretary |
Treasurer |
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Councilmember |
Councilmember |
Councilmember |
The current council was elected in January 2007 and inaugurated in March 2007
Bobby L. Barrett is serving his fourth consecutive term on the Viejas Tribal Council. After three terms as vice chairman, Barrett takes great pride in stepping up as chairman of one of the premier tribal enterprises in Southern California.
As the full-time chairman, Barrett focuses on increasing tribal business revenues and planning and implementing long and short-term economic diversification goals. He is working to strengthen Viejas culture, leadership and maintain critical alliances with the state, national American Indian community and non-Indian communities alike.
Prior to serving on the council, Barrett left a decade-long career in management at Viejas Casino, where he acquired management and leadership skills, as well as hands-on experience in employee relations and customer service, all of which add to his strengths as chairman. He is also a problem gambling counselor, certified by the California Council on Problem Gambling, which the Tribal Council has supported financially over several years.
He is a trained and able communicator in the areas of American Indian rights, gaming and culture. He believes the best way to secure the rights and status of the Viejas Band in the new millennium is by being proactive - anticipating challenges and opportunities and taking actions that integrate the will and desires of Viejas tribal members.
Aside from his role as chairman, Barrett also serves as chairman of the newly formed California Tribal Business Alliance (CTBA), which was created to protect the Tribal government gaming industry, and to create strategic alliances with a wide group of businesses and industries. CTBA, comprised of a select group of California's largest and most politically active and philosophically progressive gaming tribes, provides lawmakers with information and counsel about all tribal issues and the gaming industry.
His accountability extends far beyond the scope of operations and administration of the council. One of Barrett's top priorities is ensuring the Council's accountability to Viejas tribal members. Actively involved in infrastructure and housing for the band, he builds upon the business and government foundation initiated by prior councils to add and strengthen government programs that improve the quality of life of tribal members. An advocate of the Viejas Housing Program, Barrett's commitment to tribal members ensures that each member of the tribe will have a home they can be proud to own on the reservation.
True to his conviction and compassion for others, Barrett founded The Bobby Barrett Foundation, which believes that all people are entitled to live with respect and dignity, and that the welfare of our communities as a whole can be improved by showing compassion and empathy for those who are less fortunate than ourselves. Recently, the Foundation, in conjunction with Sharps and Cor-o-van health care, coordinated the donation of over 40 hospital beds and various other medical equipment to two hospitals in need south of the border. In 2005, Barrett also led the charge to establish the Indian Nations UNICEF Tsunami Relief Fund to assist the survivors of this cataclysmic event with a special emphasis on the children.
Believing children are symbolic of innocence, Barrett feels it is his duty to protect that innocence through education. Barrett encourages tribal children to participate in many educational programs offered by the tribe designed to provide physical, emotionally safe, secure, and supportive learning environment.
In his spare time, he finds gratification in helping those less fortunate and receives pleasure in being in the company of family and friends. He also enjoys golfing and is an avid reader.
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Raymond J. Cuero Hyde - Vice Chairman
Raymond (Coy) Cuero Hyde joins the Viejas Tribal Council in 2007 after serving for two terms in the late 80's. As vice chairman, Cuero Hyde serves as second in command and assumes the role of chairman when the chairman is absent. He is also responsible for the operations and administration of the council.
Cuero Hyde is proud to again join tribal government. He knows first hand that a council that can work together collectively will make a positive impact on all Kumeyaay Indians. He is proud of the fact that Viejas is one of the leading tribal casinos in the nation and attributes this to a strong tribal government. As vice chairman, his focus is uniting the Viejas Band, both internally and by reaching out to other Kumeyaay bands, and work towards future financial and spiritual prosperity. His long-term goal is to ensure security for future generations by instilling customs and traditions in today's younger generation.
Cuero Hyde actively serves as council liaison for several committees and assignment areas for Viejas. Examples include the administration building committee, cultural preservation, economic development, planning, tribal court, water and sewer infrastructure among others. In 1998, he served on the first official Finance Committee for the Viejas Band. Cuero Hyde is also an active member of the National Indian Gaming Association (NIGA) and the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI).
Prior to joining the council, Cuero Hyde worked his way up as a distinguished Electric Troubleshooter for San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E). After being hired in 1970, Cuero Hyde was quickly recruited into an apprenticeship as a Journeyman/Lineman in 1971 and moved his way up from there. After 34 years of service with SDG&E covering the areas from the U.S.-Mexico border to the Imperial Valley, Cuero Hyde decided to retire in 2005 and devote more time to family and traveling.
Aside from his role as vice chairman, Cuero Hyde and his wife maintain a strong interest in the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church on the Viejas Indian Reservation where he and many others serve as overseers and caretakers of the facility. He also participates and assists with many activities and projects associated with the church.
In his spare time, he enjoys traveling with his wife, spending time with his family and attending and cheering on all of his grandchildren in their sports activities.
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Diana L. Aguilar - Secretary
Tribal Secretary Diana L. Aguilar is serving her fourth consecutive council term. As tribal secretary, she is third in the chain of tribal government authority. Aguilar is responsible for administering the government offices, keeping official tribal records, an active liaison on various committees, and scheduling meetings and agendas.
Within the past six years, Secretary Aguilar provided the vision and leadership to continually update the Viejas Government Management Office with state-of-the-art technology. In 2002, she implemented a computerized record filing system to properly maintain the security and confidentiality of tribal records. She has also been the guiding force in maintaining the smooth operation of the tribal office, consistent with a pleasant and professional working environment.
In the political arena, Secretary Aguilar has prided herself on maintaining a very active role in attending functions and advocating on behalf of Viejas in Sacramento, Washington, D.C. and other areas in the United States.
Aguilar places great importance on serving the entire tribal membership and ensuring fellow tribal members are well informed. She values family, trust and hard work and applies these values to all personal and professional endeavors, including her position as a Viejas government officer.
A graduate of El Capitan High School, Aguilar was employed in the bingo, chip count and soft count areas of Viejas Casino from 1992 to 1995, where she gained experience in details of casino operations. She believes her experience in the formative years of the business brings institutional history and an awareness of the political challenges that face tribal governments.
Aguilar was diagnosed with Hepatitis C in 1993 and was forced to take a medical leave of absence from work in 1995. She was hospitalized and underwent a successful liver transplant in April 1996, which was performed at Scripps Hospital in La Jolla, CA. Since her transplant, Aguilar has served as a volunteer for the Scripps Hepatitis C screening program.
Aguilar served as chairwoman for Parent Group, a parent-teacher organization at the Viejas Indian School. In October 2001, Aguilar was presented the San Diego Business Journal Courage Award for overcoming serious illness and applying "stalwart dedication and bold selflessness" to serve her people and others. In 2005, she was awarded Woman of the Year from the San Diego East County Chamber of Commerce in the field of Government, a reward that recognizes recipients for their large strides of success. Aguilar was awarded membership in 2006 to Strathmore's Who's Who for demonstrating leadership qualities in addition to her position and lifetime accomplishments.
When not working, Aguilar devotes her time to her husband Scotty, son Kevin, daughter-in-law Becca, granddaughter MacKenna, and her mother Midge. Aguilar also enjoys leisure activities including photography, shopping, and traveling.
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John A. Christman - Treasurer
John A. Christman was first elected to his position in 2000, and is now serving his fourth consecutive term as tribal treasurer. He previously served a two-year term as vice chairman from 1990 to 1992. As Viejas treasurer, Christman oversees tribal finances and coordinates tribal business and government budgets, income and expenses. He represents the band as it pursues economic development to ensure a sound financial future for generations to come.
Christman believes in taking a progressive approach to tribal finances through diversification, with a disciplined, conservative approach to expenses and overhead. He believes his role is to secure, account for and protect tribal assets, as well as involve the Viejas general membership in budget planning and assigning priorities in appropriating Viejas government expenditures.
The Viejas tribal council encourages participation of members and elected officers in program areas through service on committees. Christman chairs the Economic Development Committee, and participates in the Contributions, Cultural and Finance Committees and the Tribal Working Group.
A former manager of Administrative Special Projects at Viejas Casino, Christman left his position to serve in tribal government. At Viejas Casino (1994-2000), he served in many financially related positions of increasing responsibility, including purchasing manager. Instrumental in establishing the purchasing department, he laid the foundation and groundwork for departmental operations. As a result, he brings strong accounting and organizational skills to the Viejas treasury, the positive effects of which are substantial. Prior to entering casino management, Christman worked in dispatch and contractor sales for eight years at Dixieline Lumber Company.
Grounded in Kumeyaay culture, Christman learned traditional bird songs as a child and takes seriously this responsibility for performing sacred spiritual ceremonies at many cultural events, including burial services. To carry on the tradition, he was one of three instructors teaching a semester of Kumeyaay music and dance at D-Q University on the Sycuan Reservation. Christman also teaches the California Indian game of peón to tribal youth each summer.
In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with his son Phillip and actively competing in local team roping events and rodeos. Christman currently lives on the Viejas reservation.
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Virginia Christman - Councilmember
Virginia M. Christman was re-elected to the Tribal Council in 2007 after serving four consecutive, two-year terms as a Councilmember from 1997-2004. She also served as vice chairman of the tribal government for two terms in the early 1980s. During her role as Councilmember, Christman serves on several tribal government committees such as recreation, senior advisory, housing, fire protection, land issues and tribal court.
Deeply rooted in Kumeyaay history and concerned with protecting Viejas Band resources, her vision is for the tribe is to be united in traditions and the observation of spiritual practices that nurture hope, healing and respect for each other, the elders and the ancestral land.
She also serves as tribal contact on archeology and brings a wealth of tradition and expertise to these positions. Conversant in Kumeyaay, she taught the language for six semesters at D-Q University on the Sycuan Reservation.
A keeper of tribal traditions and spiritual and prayer leader, Christman, her husband, Ron, and family practice purifications, fasts and sweats, and participate in the sacred Sun Dance Ceremony in South Dakota each summer. Active in protecting Kumeyaay burial sites at the San Diego Mission during the 1980s, she has been responsible for initiating many events, including the annual pow wow at Balboa Park, that educate the San Diego Community to her native culture. She is involved in creating opportunities for the Indian community to carry on Kumeyaay traditions of singing and dancing. She strives to lead by example and teach the Viejas youth to carry on their heritage.
In order to fulfill her government duties, Christman resigned from a 13-year career at the Sycuan Gaming Center, where she administered the Shipping and Receiving Department.
Christman attended El Capitan High School, graduated from St. John’s Indian School in Laveen, Arizona, and then studied nursing at Los Angeles County General Hospital. Christman later studied general education at Grossmont College while working with Mainstream, a park conservation program of the federal forestry. A mother of six and grandmother of 13, she lives with her husband on the Viejas reservation with their family nearby.
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Alan L. Barrett - Councilmember
Alan L. Barrett, elected in 2000, is currently serving his fourth consecutive term as councilman. He previously served three, two-year terms as vice chairman from 1978 to 1980 and 1986 to 1990.
Councilmember Barrett takes a no-nonsense approach to business and places great value on trust, hard work and team spirit. His goals include building and strengthening the channels of communication among the tribal council, the Viejas general membership and the San Diego community. He wants to build camaraderie throughout the Viejas Band and strengthen the sense of community on the reservation.
With more than 10 years of casino management experience, Barrett understands the value of hard work and effective communication. He has great appreciation for the regulatory aspects of gaming and protecting the integrity of the casino's games and tribal assets.
Barrett began his career as the internal compliance officer of Viejas Valley Casino, which operated briefly in 1990. Immediately following, the Viejas Tribe launched Viejas Casino & Turf Club in 1991 (now Viejas Casino) where Barrett served as an internal control officer and Pai Gow manager. In 1993, Barrett became the director of surveillance, developing one of the most sophisticated surveillance systems operating in a tribal government casino. In 1998, Barrett transferred with the surveillance department to its current placement under the Tribal Gaming Commission. He left that position in 2000 to assume another position on the tribal council.
Serving as legislative liaison at the local, state and federal levels, Barrett has built strong political relationships and taken leadership roles in developing federal legislation, benefiting tribal governments and neighboring communities. One example is the Tribal Forest Protection Act of 2004, an amendment to the President's Healthy Forest Act. Barrett testified and successfully advocated for tribal governments to be included as partners in the federal legislation, which provides for fuel clearance on federal and tribal lands to reduce the danger of wildfires, such as San Diego County's deadly Cedar Fire of 2004.
At a local level, Barrett served two terms on the San Diego County Indian Gaming Local Community Benefit Committee, where he was elected vice-chairman with County Supervisor Dianne Jacob serving as chair. He was also appointed by Governor Schwarzenegger to the important Water Quality Control Board San Diego Region, a historic first for San Diego County Indians. Barrett participates on the San Diego County District Attorney's Community Advisory Board and launched government-to-government meetings with the DA's office, the Sheriff's department and tribal leaders throughout San Diego County.
Barrett graduated from Sherman Indian High School in 1974. Later that year, he joined the California Department of Forestry as a firefighter and worked as a firefighter for the Alpine Fire Department from 1976 to 1979.
In his spare time, Barrett enjoys camping in local deserts and along the Colorado River, as well as bow hunting in Minnesota, Colorado, Utah and Arizona. Barrett and his family live on the Viejas Reservation.
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Greybuck S. Espinoza - Councilmember
Greybuck S. Espinoza was elected to the council for his first two year term in 2007. In his role as councilman, he serves as a voice for the tribe, and strives to positively promote the business, protect and grow the entrusted land and preserve the valuable culture.
While serving as councilman, Espinoza focuses on career development through education. He believes that today's youth are the future to prosperity, and that proper education is paramount to the well-being and survival of Viejas. One of his goals during his first term is to expand the education department by adding more facilities to meet the needs of the growing community. He would also like to see an increase in student enrollment, and plans to incorporate incentive programs to motivate tribal youth to understand the importance of their sovereignty, and become future leaders.
Playing an integral role in the foundation of Viejas is also important to Espinoza. In doing so, he actively serves as the council liaison for several committees, such as; cultural preservation, economic development, education, finance, housing, senior and tribal court. Prior to his election, he worked at Viejas Casino in the production department for four years as a motion graphic composite artist and lighting director.
Raised on the Viejas Reservation, Espinoza knows first hand about the importance of cultural preservation, and how without the proper tribal teachings, the traditions and languages of the Viejas Tribe could be lost forever. He takes pride in his heritage, and is constantly working to ensure those influential ties are not broken.
When not at work, he enjoys spending time with his family doing outdoor activities and traveling in their RV. Espinoza currently lives with his wife and three children on the Viejas Reservation.
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