Hospitality | Entertainment
President
Ho-Chunk Nation | Black River Falls
Marlon WhiteEagle was named president of the Ho-Chunk Nation, a federally recognized tribe based in Black River Falls, in 2019. He is serving his first four-year term. Previously, he was the editor of Hocak Worak, the Ho-Chunk Nation’s tribal newspaper. He is also a Marine Corps veteran.
The tribe, which has scattered communities and acreage, has about 6,500 members. Its trust land acreage (totaling about 3,500) is located in Adams, Clark, Crawford, Dane, Eau Claire, Jackson, Juneau, La Crosse, Marathon, Monroe, Sauk, Shawano, Vernon and Wood counties and in Illinois.
Ho-Chunk Nation is the largest employer in both Sauk and Jackson County, employing roughly 3,100 people. The flagship among its enterprises is Ho-Chunk Casino, Hotel and Convention Center in the Town of Delton, near Wisconsin Dells. The facility has 302 rooms and suites, 1,900 slot machines and 45 tables games. Ho-Chunk also owns and operates Majestic Pines Casino & Hotel in Black River Falls, Rainbow Casino in Nekoosa, DeJope Bingo in Madison, Whitetail Crossing Casino in Tomah and Ho-Chunk North Casino in Wittenberg.
This year, the tribe received federal approval to move forward with its long-planned $405 million casino complex in Beloit. The project, which will be developed on about 32 acres, will include a casino, convention center, hotel and water park. It’s expected to create 1,300 permanent jobs and 3,000 construction jobs.
Education: Associate, MiraCosta College; bachelor’s, San Diego State University