Jennifer Bates Named Black Oak Casino
Personnel Development Manager

For Immediate Release                        Contact:  Al O’Brien              
                                                                                     Marketing Manager
                                                                                     Black Oak Casino
                                                                                     209-928-9318
                                                                                     aobrien@blackoakcasino.com
                                                                                                                             
Jennifer Bates Named Black Oak Casino
Personnel Development Manager

Tuolumne, CA – February 12, 2007 Named to the newly created post of Personnel Development Manager Jennifer Bates brings many years of entrepreneurship and six years of Casino Human Resources experience as Trainer and Senior Training Coordinator, to this new position.  Jennifer also brings a rich knowledge of Native American and Native California culture to her new position enhanced by her involvement as a Founder and Chairperson, for the last thirteen years, of the California Indian Basket- weavers Association (CIBA).  She was the inspiration for the rebirth of Northern Me-Wuk basketry and has taught and mentored many on the intricacies of starting and stitching classic Me-Wuk patterns and styles of baskets using gathered traditional materials. In addition she has been presented as a guest speaker on traditional basketry for the Native American Studies Department at the University of California Davis.

Jennifer Bates also participated in the opening of the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian in Washington DC as part of the CIBA delegation in the opening procession. In addition Jennifer was also a guiding force in establishing the Tuolumne Band of Me-Wuk California Indian Market. This is a May celebration of California Native artisans featuring food, craft and cultural demonstrations, and many beautiful works of handmade art for sale.

The newly established position of Personnel Development Manager establishes the position to provide expertise with regard to mentoring, training, education and Me-Wuk culture as they relate to the operations of Tribal entities and the needs of Black Oak Casino.  She will also coordinate succession planning, and a Tribal mentoring program with the Tuolumne Economic Development Authority and Casino management.  In her new position Jennifer will also support the planning, production, and execution of major Tribal events.

Black Oak Casino, owned and operated by the Tuolumne Band of Me-Wuk Indians in Tuolumne, California The Casino encompasses 164,770 square feet of gaming and entertainment options for the whole family, including 1013 slot machines, 24 table games, a non-smoking gaming area, three restaurants, two casino floor bars, an interactive sports bar, a state of the art bowling center, a live entertainment lounge, a players club, gift shop, and kids arcade.

For more information regarding Black Oak Casino, please visit www.blackoakcasino.com or contact Cynthia Fidel at (559) 252-2500 or Al O’Brien at (209) 928-9318.