Indian Gaming > Sycuan chairman oversees tribe's diversification

July 18, 2006

Sycuan chairman oversees tribe's diversification

Danny Tucker, the chairman of the Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation, has a lot to smile about as he leads one of California's most successful gaming tribes.

The Sycuan Resort & Casino outside of San Diego continues to do well. Gaming revenues are helping the tribe move into other businesses, including a $52 million hotel redevelopment in downtown San Diego.

It wasn't always that way for the tribe. As one of 11 children in a mixed Indian and African-American family, Tucker grew up poor and often dealt with racism.

But he promised his mother, who was Sycuan, that he would stay involved in the tribe. He's served as chairman for nearly eight years, and has been chairman of the chairman of the California Nations Indian Gaming Association and vice chairman of the National Indian Gaming Association.

Get the Story:
Sycuan's smiling face (The San Diego Union Tribune 7/18)