Vincent Armenta Resigns As Tribal Chairman Of The Santa Ynez Band Of Chumash Indians

SANTA YNEZ, Calif., March 17, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Longtime tribal leader Vincent Armenta announced his resignation as Tribal Chairman of the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians.

Armenta was first elected to the role of Tribal Chairman in December 1999 and has been re-elected in every tribal election since.  He has been a tireless advocate for his tribe and has been instrumental in positioning the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians as one of the most successful tribes in California.

"Nearly 17 years ago when I first became Tribal Chairman, I was a young man who had no tribal government experience, but what I did have was a strong desire to work on behalf of my tribe to take us to the next level and position our tribe for a better future," said Armenta.  "I believe I have done that."

Along with his fellow Business Committee members, Armenta built a thriving business enterprise composed of the Chumash Casino Resort, Hotel Corque, Root 246, the Hadsten House, two gas stations and a winery. The tribe also has a growing real estate portfolio that includes parcels throughout the Santa Ynez Valley.

A new Tribal Chairman will be elected according to the tribe's articles of organization.  The tribe's Vice Chairman, Kenneth Kahn, will serve as the Interim Tribal Chairman.

"Under Chairman Armenta's leadership, our tribe has traveled further than any of us ever thought possible," said Kenneth Kahn, Interim Tribal Chairman of the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians.  "He led our tribe from relative obscurity to being one of the most visible and dynamic tribes in the nation.  I am grateful for all that he has done for our tribe and wish him the best."

Armenta was accepted to the Culinary Institute of America (CIA) in Hyde Park, New York and will leave his position as a tribal leader to pursue a Bachelor of Arts degree in culinary arts.

"I have always enjoyed cooking, but it's been a lifetime dream to delve further into the culinary arts and enhance my talents in this area," said Armenta.  "When one of my sons attended CIA a few years ago, I thought that someday I would attend – and that day has come."

Armenta will start classes in the next few months.  "I will watch with great interest as our tribe's new Tribal Chairman leads our tribe toward an even brighter future," he said.

The Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians owns and operates the Chumash Casino Resort, which is located on the tribe's reservation on Highway 246 in Santa Ynez, California. The tribe also owns Hotel Corque, Root 246 and the Hadsten House in Solvang and two gas stations in Santa Ynez.  As the largest employer in the Santa Ynez Valley, the tribe employs more than 1,700 residents of Santa Barbara County.

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SOURCE Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians