CNIGA PROFILE LEE ACEBEDO EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, CALIFORNIA NATIONS INDIAN GAMING ASSOCIATION Leon Acebedo served as the Chairman of the Jamul Indian Village from June of 2003 through June of 2007. He has worked tirelessly for Indian tribes throughout the western United States. His number one goal as Chairman was to build a legacy of self-reliance for future generations through the revenues generated by a casino built for the Jamul Indian Village. In addition to overseeing the tribe's day-to-day operations, Leon managed oversight of the tribe's complex environmental studies and politically-charged compact negotiations with the Governor's Office of the State of California. While the Chairman may be low-key and soft-spoken, the messages he articulates to Senators and Congressmen in Washington, DC are loud and clear. His diligent work during his tenure as Chairman has made the project an impending reality, and has brought the tribe closer than ever to achieving their long-awaited goal of economic self-reliance. Leon's extensive background in working within tribal and state governments dates back to 1989, when he became the Director of the Salt River Pima Maricopa Indian Community in Arizona. For three years, he oversaw the band's Behavioral and Mental Health programs, and educated tribal members about the dangers of substance abuse. From 1992 through 1996, Leon served as the State of Arizona's tribal liaison for the Department of Health. Here, he negotiated contracts between Indian tribes and the state for the allocation of federal Medicaid funds; he also acted as the Director's representative at major national and local health meetings. After working as a Western U.S. sales manager for a waste water consulting firm from 1996 to 1999, Leon was the Tribal Administrator for the Rincon Band of Luiseno Indians from 1999 through 2001, a position similar to that of City Manager in any large city. His selfless background extends into his service for his country. Leon served six years in the U.S. Army, including one tour of duty in Vietnam, earning an honorable discharge. Leon attended California Lutheran College and Kansas State University, where he earned his Bachelor of Arts in psychology. He was selected as a speaker at "Bridging the Health Care Network for HIV/AIDS," a major national healthcare forum in 1991. In May 2002, Leon was selected to participate as part of a Master/Apprentice Team, along with a Jamul Tribal elder, by the Advocates for Indigenous California Language Survival. Committed to giving back to the community, Leon has also served as a volunteer coach for youth sports, including baseball, basketball and football. After playing in an adult baseball league for many years, Leon has recently made golf his new passion. He also likes hiking in the mountains and the desert around the Jamul Reservation. ·