Kenneth Kahn was named the new Tribal Chairman of the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians Thursday night following a special election to replace Vincent Armenta, who resigned from the tribe’s government in March.
“I am deeply honored that my fellow tribal members have elected me to serve as our new Tribal Chairman, look forward to working alongside my fellow Business Committee members to ensure that the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians continues to grow and prosper,” Kahn said in a statement.
When Armenta resigned on March 17, tribal government bylaws dictated that nominations for a new Tribal Chairman would occur during the next General Council meeting, which was held on April 12. Kahn, 39, was nominated at the meeting, and tribal members voted via absentee ballot and elected him as their new Tribal Chairman.
The tribe’s Chairman and Business Committee are responsible for establishing policies and overseeing the legal and business affairs of the tribe, while providing for the economic well-being of its members.
In addition to owning and operating the Chumash Casino Resort on the tribe’s reservation, the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians also owns Hotel Corque, Root 246 and the Hadsten House in Solvang and two gas stations in Santa Ynez. The tribe employs more than 1,700 residents of Santa Barbara County.
Read our June issue that will have a more in depth interview with Kahn and his plans for the Tribe’s future.
Photo Source Google Images
