New Barona Tribal Chairman & Three New Councilmembers Take Office

SAN DIEGO, CA--(Marketwire - January 12, 2009) - 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.

Contact Information: CONTACT: Sheilla Alvarez (619) 402-0182 Kelly Jacobs Speer (619) 933-5013