Grand Canyon Resort Corporation Announces Six New Members Joining Company's Board Of Directors

PEACH SPRINGS, Ariz., May 23, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- The Grand Canyon Resort Corporation (GCRC) has added six new members to the company's Board of Directors, with the additions bringing years of combined experience in tribal economic development, marketing, tourism and community outreach. The six additions – Michael Olujic, Darlene Wakayuta, April Tinhorn, Elisa Bradley, Candida Hunter and Barney "B.J." Enos, Jr. – join board member Marie Kisner to complete the GCRC leadership team.

The GCRC is wholly owned by the Hualapai Tribe and oversees the operations of the tribe's tourism experiences, including Grand Canyon West, Grand Canyon Skywalk, Hualapai River Runners, and the Hualapai Lodge. Last year, more than 1 million visitors came to the West Rim to visit these entities. The new GCRC Board members include:

Michael J. Olujic

Michael J. Olujic brings 15 years executive management experience, including more than a decade in executive gaming and tribal financial leadership to the GCRC Board of Directors. Michael has held senior leadership roles as the General Manager of Wild Horse Pass Hotel & Casino in Chandler, Arizona; CEO of North Star Mohican Casino Resort in Bowler, Wisconsin; and CFO of the Oneida Nations of Indians of Wisconsin in Green Bay.

Michael earned his Bachelor's of Science degree from Iowa State University, where he majored in Accounting and minored in American Indian Studies. He earned his MBA from Marquette University. Michael is an enrolled tribal member of Oneida Tribe of Indians of Wisconsin.

Darlene Wakayuta

Darlene Wakayuta received her Bachelor's of Applied Science degree Magna Cum Laude in Technology Management from Northern Arizona University. Currently employed by the Hualapai Tribe, Mrs. Wakayuta is responsible for developing, implementing, assessing and coordinating public health information and community education.

As the former office manager of the Hualapai Health-Education and Wellness office, Mrs. Wakayuta gained significant experience in tribal government relations, public policy, financial reporting, information technology, accounting, finance and budget management. Additionally, she has deep experience in strategic planning and organization development services, including employee and leadership development.

April Tinhorn

April Tinhorn's (Hualapai/Navajo/Chinese) childhood curiosity about a video game led her to earn a Master's degree in Computer Science, inspiring her to help others at the NSA, IBM and IHS.

Since 2010, April has empowered others to challenge perceptions about Indian Country through cultural communication strategies and training at Tinhorn Consulting. She is most joyful while enjoying family time with her 4-year-old daughter, Zoey, and her husband, Sam Bender, Jr.

Elisa Bradley

Elisa Bradley, a member of the Hualapai Tribe with many years of experience working in the Tribe's tourism, environmental and marketing entities, joined the GCRC Board of Directors in March 2016.

Elisa works currently as an Adult Probation Officer with the Maricopa County Adult Probation Department. She received her Bachelor's of Science in Recreation Management with an emphasis in Outdoor Recreation from Arizona State University. She will soon complete her Master's of Business Administration degree with an emphasis in Marketing. Elisa's past career experiences include working as a Swamper/Packer with Hualapai River Runners; working as a River Guide and Concierge; serving as an Environmental Coordinator and then an Executive Assistant to the CEO. She also worked in Public Relations, as a Film Permit Liaison and as a Call Center Manager.

Candida L. Hunter

Candida L. Hunter, a member of the Hualapai Tribe, serves on the Board of Directors for the Hwal'bay Ba:j Enterprises, Inc., which does business as the  Grand Canyon Resort Corporation.

She also works as the Senior Director of Tribal Affairs for First Things First. Candida previously has served as a member of the Hualapai Tribal Council, as an employee of the Grand Canyon Resort Corporation and the Hualapai Tribe. She has volunteered on many tribal, state and federal boards and committees.

Barney "B.J." Enos, Jr.

Barney "B.J." Enos, Jr., (Akimel O'odham, enrolled with Gila River Indian Community), is a consultant with Akimel Advisors, providing business development consulting services, asset management and security services to tribal and non-tribal clients. Prior to his venture into sole proprietorship, B.J. was a public servant in both an appointed and elected official capacity with the Gila River Indian Community.  As an appointed official, B.J. served for nine years with the Gila River Health Care Corporation Board of Directors and eight years as a member of the Board of Directors with Wild Horse Pass Development Authority. He was elected to two terms as the District Four Community Council Representative from 2009 to 2014.

B.J. received a Bachelors of Science in Health Sciences with an emphasis in Community Health Education from the University of Arizona and a Masters of Public Administration from Arizona State University.

Marie Kisner

Marie Kisner is a proudly enrolled member of the Hualapai Tribe. Marie graduated from Tucumcari High School and attended Mohave Community College and University of Reno Nevada. She has lived and worked in Arizona for the last 30 years. 

Marie owned and operated the Propane Company and also managed the store in Peach Springs. As a member of the Board of Directors for Grand Canyon Resort Corporation, Marie would like to develop GCRC tourism amenities into a Number One worldwide resort.

For more information about the GCRC tourism entities, visit the Grand Canyon West web site: http://www.grandcanyonwest.com/.

Contact:                                                                                
David Leibowitz
[email protected]                    
602-317-1414

SOURCE Grand Canyon Resort Corporation

Related Links

http://www.grandcanyonwest.com