Daughters Earn 2 of 10 Scholarship Awards Created for Team Member Families

The daughters of two Team Members are the first to win $1,000 towards their college tuition. PRC now offers 10 such scholarships each year to dependents of Full Time Team Members. Human Resources accepts application all throughout the year.

Cherifer, the daughter of Maribeth Acedo, Housekeeping Supervisor, will attend University of California, Los Angeles. Diana Siordia, daughter of Tony Siordia, Slot Shift Manager, will attend California Baptist University. Both students will be freshmen at their universities this fall, and both are planning to enter the medical field upon completion of their studies.

In order to be eligible to receive a scholarship, applicants must be a dependent of a regular, full time member of PRC, and plan to pursue a degree at an accredited college or vocational school. Scholarship checks will be made payable to the college or university upon providing evidence of successful admission. To apply, students must submit the following to Human Resources:

1. An essay on how this advanced learning will enhance their personal growth and development, including what they plan to do with their education when they graduate.

2. A letter of referral and/or recommendation from a non-relative describing academic or citizenship achievements.

Thank You for Continuing Award-Winning Tradition

At last month’s Quarterly Team Update, The Pechanga Development Corporation (PDC) congratulated Team Members for continuing our award-winning tradition, “Thanks to your hard work, we not only met Triple A’s requirements, but we earned twice the score needed to maintain our Four Diamond status. Now at seven consecutive years, Pechanga is the longest running recipient of the AAA 4-Diamond award among Native-American owned resort properties in California.” The awards did not stop there.

PDC applauded Team Members for recent honors mentioned in Casino Player Magazine, the most popular gaming magazine in America, “Casino Player Magazine readers gave Pechanga seven wins, including four first place wins - Best Hometown Casino, Best Poker Room, Best Seafood — Seafood Grotto, and Best Italian — Paisano’s. Pechanga also won three third place honors for Best Suites, Best Spa and Best Chinese – Blazing Noodles.”

Casino Player Magazine is the #1 gaming publication, with a nationwide readership of more than 600,000 monthly. This magazine’s readers are people who really know and appreciate what we have to offer: a combination of entertainment, gaming excitement, fine dining and luxurious relaxation. You can only find this combination of services at resort casinos like ours. The nation has voted - Pechanga Resort and Casino is the best in the West. The four first-place wins and three third-place wins all come under the category of Native-West, or Native-American owned resort casinos in the Western United States which include, but are not limited to, Washington, Oregon, Arizona, Nevada and California.

The Pechanga Development Corporation and Leadership Team thank all Team Members for making Pechanga, “Simply the Best.”

Pechanga Sponsors 25 Children at Salvation Army Childspree

Pechanga recently sponsored 25 children at this year’s Salvation Army Childspree event held at JC Penney in Temecula. Pechanga team members were honored to volunteer at this event to benefit some very deserving children. It was very rewarding to give back to our community in such a tangible way!

DPS Hits the Pavement to Support Special Olympics and Represent Pechanga

On Saturday, May 16th, local law enforcement, in conjunction with Pechanga Resort & Casino and Wilson Creek Winery, hosted the ninth annual Temecula Valley Law Enforcement Torch Run benefiting the Special Olympics.

The event began in front of Pechanga with a formal opening ceremony and a parade of Special Olympics athletes. The "run" travels through streets of Temecula for 14 miles, with the Special Olympics Torch carried by local law enforcement officers, until reaching Wilson Creek Winery, where there was a celebration barbecue held in honor of the athletes.

The annual Law Enforcement Torch Run generates tremendous community goodwill and public awareness for the Special Olympics. Pechanga has been a proud contributor for 9 years, with Captain Richard Carmichael participating in the run for the last 7 years. The event raises funds for the Special Olympics and is the only Law Enforcement Torch Run activity in the Temecula Valley where law enforcement officers can join together with the general public to show their support of Special Olympics athletes.

Other runners from DPS proudly representing Pechanga at the event include: Sgt. Cleave Hearn, Officer Chris Ackerman, Officer Ko Duangchan, Cpl. Noland Morin, and Officer Tony Sanchez.

HR/Talent Management Leadership Golf Team

Team Members Play World-Class Resort

On June 10th, Pechanga Team Members take part in the 4th Annual Team Member Golf Tournament, marking the first year it will be held at our very own course, Journey at Pechanga. Playing a course ranked in the top five by Golf Magazine is a privilege that doesn’t come along often. At only $45 per person, the field was full with 144 competitors in just a few days and the waiting list grew quickly as well. The tournament features awards for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place, longest drive, closest-to-the-pin, and raffle prizes. Team Members will also enjoy food and beverages at the awards ceremony following the tournament.
When asked about the tournament, Scott Mallory, Head Golf Pro at the Journey, replied, "We’re excited to host our Team Members and give them a chance to play the course." Scott reports that Journey continues to experience growing success, "In April and May, we had our busiest months ever. The word is out about how great our course is." He continues, "It’s not a simple thing to do, but closing shop for our employees in June is something we want to do. Fortunately, we can make it happen." Scott knows that many Team Members haven’t even had a chance to see Journey, and he looks forward to watching them enjoy themselves on the course.
Team Members who don’t play golf might have other opportunities to appreciate the beauty of the Journey, and the culture preserved throughout the course. The Hotel is working out details for possible tours in the future just for Team Members. Stay tuned!

Meet Michael May, Vice President of Table Games

After 29 years at Bally’s in Atlantic City, Michael May has decided to test the waters (and waves) here on the West Coast. Leaving Bally’s and his 1,400 Table Games employees was difficult, but “Mike” is excited about the opportunity Pechanga provides. An avid surfer, he’s also thrilled about Southern California’s shoreline.

Here’s a quick glance at our Vice President of Table Games.

Q: What word best describes you?
A: Light-hearted.

Q: What excites you about Pechanga?
A: The diversity.

Q: What sparked your interest in Table Games?
A: After I got my Communications Degree in college, the economy was tough and jobs were hard to come by. Some friends were learning to deal cards for a local gaming spot, and I saw a chance
to keep close to the ocean.

Q: What was your first job?
A: Dishwasher.

Q: How did you wind up here?
A: I was drawn by the opportunity to apply my experience and expertise, having managed a much larger and equally diverse group of dealers. The chance to do this at a property like
Pechanga made it easy. Having family here also helps, and I enjoy California.

Q: What has been the most significant moment in your career?
A: When I began to look at Gaming as a business, just like any other business out there.

Q: If you couldn’t do what you’re doing now, what would you do?
A: Run some business related to surfing…probably in Mexico, doing as little as possible.

Q: Best Childhood memory:
A: Hanging out with my two older brothers.

Q: Favorite quotes:
A: “Ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country,” by President John F. Kennedy. I think it applies to life in general. I’m a big proponent for volunteering in the community.

Q: Favorite books:
A: “Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance: An Inquiry Into Values,” by Robert Pirsig.

Q: How do you manage stress?
A: I mountain bike and surf, along with my wife, Mary Kate.

Q: Who has been your inspiration/mentor?
A: Jim Carr, the 1st Casino Manager in Atlantic City, also considered one of the fathers of Atlantic City gaming. As a mentor, he provided great insight into the business of gaming.

Q: What makes you happiest?
A: When I have my family around. I have three sons, Steve, 26, Matt, 25, and Christian, 21.

Q: Best advice you ever received?
A: Listen.

Q: What difference would you like to make?
A: I want people to get a sense of trust with what we’re trying to do.