Ridgebear joins Spirit Mountain Casino staff

By Dean Rhodes

Smoke Signals editor

Shawna Ridgebear, 39, was hired by Spirit Mountain Gaming Inc. as the new marking director. Her first day was Monday, April 27.

Before joining Spirit Mountain, Ridgebear worked in casino marketing, business development and marketing with Circus Circus Reno/MGM Resorts International for more than 14 years.

“Shawna’s greatest strengths are her creativity, drive and leadership,” said Stan Dillon, general manager of Spirit Mountain Casino. “She thrives on challenges, particularly those that expand the company’s reach as well as increase the brand management.”

Ridgebear discovered her passion for numbers while studying accounting at Great Basin College in Elko, Nev., but she said she also realized that she wanted to grow her creative side.

“Marketing within a casino environment proved to be a perfect fit,” she said.

“She brings with her a passion for marketing, VIP services, events and community,” Dillon said.

Ridgebear is an accomplished public speaker, having spoken at the National Indian Gaming Association, the National Casino Marketing Conference held at the University of Nevada’s Gaming Education Department and other notable speaking engagements on various gaming and public relations topics.

One of her proudest moments, she said, was being recognized in a feature article in the 2012 Indian Country Today G2E article “Native Women in Gaming” in which her career and commitment to culture were spotlighted.

Ridgebear is an enrolled member of the Te-Moak Tribe of Western Shoshone and also a member of the Edge Water Clan of the Dine Nation and Mescalero Apache Tribe of New Mexico. She started her career working with the Tribal government for more than six years in Te-Moak Tribal administration and public relations. She also served as a board member of the Te-Moak Tribe’s Powwow Committee.

Ridgebear is the mother of three sons – Dale, 20, Darion, 16, and Devon 14 – and is an avid beader. She frequently travels the powwow trail with her large family, dancing in her traditional southern dress. However, she said, most of her powwow life is spent dancing in the jingle dress category.

She is living in the Dallas area.