New Barona Tribal Chairman & Three New Councilmembers Take Office

SAN DIEGO, CA, Jan 12 (MARKET WIRE) --
Edwin "Thorpe" Romero, who was elected as the new Tribal Chairman of the
Barona Band of Mission Indians in December, officially took office on
January 1, 2009.

Chairman Romero succeeds Rhonda Welch-Scalco who did not run for
re-election. Ms. Welch-Scalco will be completing her Ph.D. at the
University of California, Riverside.

"I consider it a great honor to serve as the new Chairman of the Barona
Band of Mission Indians," said Chairman Romero. "I look forward to serving
the people of Barona and leading our sovereign government to preserve our
culture and sustain our sovereignty for future generations."

In addition to installing a new Chairman, former Chairman and Tribal
Councilmember Edward Joseph Welch was elected Councilmember along with
Linda Curo and Brandon Banegas. They will join current Vice Chairman
Charles "Beaver" Curo and Councilmembers Adam Reyes and Beth Glasco.

Barona Tribal Councilmembers serve four-year terms with staggered
elections held every two years.

The Barona Band of Mission Indians, recognized by the United States
government as a sovereign nation, has lived on the Barona Indian
Reservation in rural eastern San Diego County since 1932. Prior to that,
the Tribe lived on the Capitan Grande Reservation, established in 1875 by
the federal government. Long before, the Tribe traveled across Southern
California in tune with the seasons and what nature provided. Today, the
sovereign government is serving its Tribal members, their families, and
sharing with the San Diego region. For more information, visit
www.barona-nsn.gov.

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CONTACT:
Sheilla Alvarez
(619) 402-0182

Kelly Jacobs Speer
(619) 933-5013

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