Ernie Stevens and Steve Ortiz at Kansas Capitol in 2013
April 01, 2015 – (MAYETTA) Steve Ortiz was presented with the Chairman’s Leadership Award yesterday during the Chairman’s Leadership Award Luncheon at the National Indian Gaming Association’s (NIGA) 30th Annual Indian Gaming Tradeshow and Convention in San Diego.
According to a press release from NIGA, NIGA Chairman Ernie Stevens presented Ortiz with his award and blanket. In his acceptance speech Ortiz said, “To me this represents a life time achievement award. It recognizes 15 years of hard work that have preceded me to this point. I just want to tell each and every one of you that it’s a tough job being on tribal council leadership. Best job I ever had! If you can survive on council that long you know you’re listening to your people and leading in the right direction.”
Liana Onnen and Carrie O’ Toole from the Prairie Band Tribal Council also attended the convention as well as other managers and staff from the Prairie Band Casino & Resort that began Monday and runs through tomorrow.
Other speakers at the awards luncheon included Gold Medalist Olympian Billy Mills and Executive Director of the Haskell Foundation Marisa Mendoza