Page 3 - Chehalis Tribal Newsletter - January-February 2022

3

STAFF UPDATES

Tribal Gaming Agency mainstay returns to job

Chehalis tribal member Jedidiah Starr was going to soon be available. Starr was
returned to continue his career as Tribal selected to take over the position.
Gaming Agency Deputy Director on Jan. 25. ‘It is being able to set “It has been nice. I’ve had a lot of support,”
Starr has spent a majority of his life on a good example and Starr said.
the Chehalis Reservation and worked at He returns to the agency prepared with
Lucky Eagle Casino & Hotel for extended being accountable years of experience with many team members
stents since it 1996. He played a role in in both TGA and surveillance. Starr takes over
maintenance, security and surveillance for yourself.’ for previous Deputy Director Darrin Jones.
through the years. – Jedidiah Starr Starr said strong leadership is “being able to
He also worked briefly at the tribal store set a good example and being accountable for
and eventually was recruited by management yourself.”
to work for TGA in 2005. It was during that Therefore, he plans to tackle this leadership
tenure, when he gained a great amount of pace and spent a couple years working in role by taking care of responsibilities and
knowledge about the roles and responsibilities Arizona. teaching others by example.
of the job. When COVID-19 started impacting job Starr is an avid fisherman and has spent
TGA monitors employees of the casino, and opportunities, he found it wasn’t the best countless hours along the rivers. He looks
its guest on the gaming floor and to enforce direction for him and came back to work for forward to being among his fellow tribal
rules of the casino. his tribal community once again. Fittingly, the members as he integrates himself with the
Starr decided to step away for a change of deputy director role for Tribal Gaming Agency tribal community.

Deputy director pursues a career in construction

Russ Baker is transitioning away from the Training, nearly 75 miles down on Interstate 5.
Chehalis Tribe to work in construction. After He will make the commute five days a week to
an intensive eight-week training course in ‘I love the people that earn his certifications.
Woodland, he will become certified to operate I work with, so it was Baker is aware this is a big sacrifice, but
multiple heavy machines used on major he knows that his wife, Talisa, will be able to
construction sites. a tough decision to manage the daily routine of raising the family.
Baker was the Tribal Gaming Agency Ultimately, this career change will benefit
Deputy Director at Lucky Eagle Casino & Hotel move on.’ his family. After training, he will be able to
for three years. Prior to that, he worked for the – Russ Baker operate machinery such as the dozer, backhoe,
Tribal Government in youth programs. excavator and other types of heavy equipment.
Baker briefly worked in construction in 2017 Baker would like to thank everyone who
and thought of it as a potential career. After has helped him along the way and said he is
keeping that idea on the back-burner, he decided Although he leaves a crew behind of people he grateful for the opportunities the tribe has
to seize the opportunity to begin a new venture. truly cares for, he has full confidence TGA staff given him. Baker knows this is just a stepping
“I love the people that I work with, so it will continue their great work. stone and he will continue to give back and
was a tough decision to move on,” Baker said. Baker will attend classes at West Coast show support for his tribal community.

CELEBRATE OAKVILLE HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL PLAYERS

From left: Jeremiah Baker, Jeremy Wilbur, David Spears, Koner Burnett, Courtney Price, Eddie Klatush, Hazen Cayenne and Shayden Baker.