Tribal Council

Monday, June 01, 2009

Harvey Hopkins
Chairman

Harvey Hopkins is currently serving his third term as chairman of the Dry Creek Rancheria Board of Directors. He has served on the Dry Creek Rancheria Board of Directors since November 20, 2004. Mr. Hopkins also is serving as chairman of the River Rock Entertainment Authority Board of Directors and also served as chairman of the River Rock Entertainment Authority Board of Directors from November 20, 2004 to July 14, 2006. Mr. Hopkins has been a licensed excavating contractor since 1979. He grew up in Santa Rosa, California and has been a lifelong member of the Dry Creek Rancheria. Mr. Hopkins began a professional career in construction in 1970. He and his wife have also been in the trucking business for the last 16 years and previously owned American Indian Management Inc. Trucking Company. Additionally, Mr. Hopkins previously worked for American Civil Constructors West Coast for 15 years.

Gus Pina
Vice Chairman

Augusto "Gus" Pina is currently serving as vice chairman of the Dry Creek Rancheria Board of Directors. He has been a member of the Dry Creek Rancheria Board of Directors since November 20, 2004. Mr. Pina is currently serving as vice chairman of the River Rock Entertainment Authority Board of Directors and has served as a member of the River Rock Entertainment Authority Board of Directors since November 20, 2004. Mr. Pina also serves as vice chairman of the Corporate Board of the Section 17 Federal Charter which was established in 2009. Mr. Pina retired as vice president of the Santa Rosa office of Bank of the West in 2006. Prior to joining Bank of the West in 1992, Mr. Pina served in various managerial positions at Crocker Bank and Bank of America. Mr. Pina was honorably discharged from the U.S. Navy in 1964.  Except during his service to the U.S. Navy, Mr. Pina has lived in Sonoma County his entire life. He has been a member of Rotary International, Cotati Planning Commissioner, Cotati Chamber President, former board member of KRCB channel 22 and a former member of the Petaluma Boys and Girls Club.

Salvina Norris
Secretary/Treasurer

Salvina Norris is currently serving as the secretary/treasurer of the Dry Creek Rancheria Board of Directors and as a member of the River Rock Entertainment Authority Board of Directors. Ms. Norris was born and raised in Santa Rosa, California. In 2005 she was employed at River Rock Casino working in Security and then in Slots for a total of 3 years before transferring to Dry Creek Rancheria to work in Document Control for the Project Development Department. Salvina also has served on the Code of Conduct Committee.

Gabe Nevarez
Member at Large

Gabe Nevarez has served as a member of the Dry Creek Rancheria Board of Directors since October 7, 2006. Mr. Nevarez had served on the Dry Creek Rancheria Board of Directors from 1998 through 2004. Mr. Nevarez is currently serving as a member of the River Rock Entertainment Authority Board of Directors and had previously served on the River Rock Entertainment Authority Board of Directors from its inception through November 2004. Mr. Nevarez has been employed in retail sales in Santa Rosa, California since 1986. Mr. Nevarez has previously served as a member of the Enrollment, Personnel, Housing and Legislative Committees of the Tribe.

Marina Nojima
Member at Large

Marina Nojima is currently serving as a member at large of the Dry Creek Rancheria Board of Directors as well as a member of the River Rock Entertainment Authority Board of Directors. Mrs. Nojima and her family have lived in Santa Rosa, California for generations. Mrs. Nojima worked for the Tribe from 2003 to 2006 as an Indian Child Welfare Advocate. She left Dry Creek Rancheria to pursue and complete her educational goal, which she did in 2006 and received her Bachelor's of Arts Degree in Psychology. Mrs. Nojima also sat on the Education and Peace & Protection Committee for the Tribe.