TULALIP — Nine challengers and two incumbents are seeking a seat on the Tulalip Tribes board of directors.
Tribal members will vote March 20 to determine who will fill two of the three-year terms on the seven-member executive board, which oversees tribal government operations.
Among the contenders is Charles "Chuck" James, who served as chief executive officer of the Tulalip Casino for 3 1/2years before he was fired by the board in October.
At the time, tribal officials would say only that James was fired due to philosophical differences.
Then assistant general manager Marci Fryberg was named the casino’s acting general manger.
Seeking re-election is Herman Williams Jr., 50, the current board chairman. A former commercial fisherman, he took his boat out of the water in 1992 to focus his efforts on helping run the tribal government. He has served five consecutive terms on the board, for a total of 15 years.
Stanley Jones Sr. is the board’s vice chairman and also serves on the board of directors of First Heritage Bank. He also is seeking re-election.
Dawn Simpson, 66, serves as a tribal consultant who is seeking funding to help the Tulalips build a K-12 school. She is married and the mother of seven children, 22 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. She served on the board from 1975 to 1981 and again from 1987 to 2002.
David Fryberg Jr., 41, is a foster parent, military veteran and a member of the Tulalips’ honor guard. He has worked at the Tulalip Casino for 12 years in table games, and serves as a pit boss.
Other tribal members seeking a seat on the board who could not be reached for comment on their backgrounds are Delmer Jones, Wendy Sheldon, Valerie Malla, Michele Madison, Willa Comenote and John Harvey Sr.
Board members who are not up for re-election are treasurer Mel Sheldon Jr., Marlin Fryberg Jr., Donald Hatch Jr., Les Parks and Marie Zackuse.
Reporter Cathy Logg: 425-339-3437 or logg@heraldnet.com.
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