"the People's Paths!" Cherokee News Path - Cherokee Casinos Earn Top Accolades

TULSA, Oklahoma - Cherokee Nation Enterprises, which operates Cherokee Casinos, received top honors in four categories in a recent statewide poll. The 2008 “Best of the Best” reader poll by Oklahoma magazine, released this month, ranked CNE first in three categories: “Best Company to Work For,” “Best CEO” for David Stewart and “Best Place to Place Your Bets.” CNE-owned Cherokee Hills Golf Club finished second in the poll’s “Best 18 Holes to Golf” category.

“All I can say is that we’ve had a great, record-setting year, but we’re not done yet. We’ve got more in us! And, I am so grateful to work with more than 3,200 employees dedicated to making our business successful,” Stewart said. “All of us at Cherokee Casinos have worked hard to give the people of Oklahoma a great place to game and have fun. For the guest, that’s what we are all about, having fun.”

“But as a tribally owned business, we know that our higher mission is to create jobs and self-sufficiency for the Cherokee Nation. The work we do at CNE not only reflects the hard work of the employees, but also the support and leadership we have from the Nation. They know we have great, hard-working employees that get the job done. That’s why we’ve been able to create so many new jobs for Cherokee citizens and provide the largest dividends yet to the Nation for services and programs,” continued Stewart.

CNE has shown up in the polls for two consecutive years for “Best Company to Work For,” earning the No. 2 spot in 2007. The company provides all employees ongoing development in leadership, communication, guest loyalty, team participation and excellence in service. In addition to providing competitive pay, CNE provides a comprehensive employee benefits package that favorably compares to the leading companies in Oklahoma. Employees receive outstanding healthcare benefits with prescription, medical, dental and vision coverage with exceptionally low employee premiums; a 401(k) savings plan with dollar-for-dollar matching up to 6 percent of total pay with full immediate vesting; company paid life and disability insurance; and paid college tuition, books and fees.

Stewart, also named in the top three in 2007’s poll, was named chief executive officer of CNE in 2002. In that time span, CNE’s workforce has more than tripled, from 1,028 employees to more than 3,200 in northeastern Oklahoma and northwestern Arkansas. The firm’s profit margin has grown exponentially under Stewart’s leadership, from slightly more than $20 million in 2002 to almost $120 million in 2007. The company has also received regional recognition for its commitment to community service under Stewart. CNE employees recently collected more than 40,000 items for American soldiers stationed in Iraq. In 2007, the casinos contributed more than $35,000 to bring home 466 troops for the holidays.

More than 4,300 electronic games and 120 poker and table games can be found at CNE’s seven casinos combined. The company’s flagship location, Cherokee Casino Resort in Tulsa, has three live entertainment venues, four restaurants, two hotels, an 18-hole championship golf course, more than 80,000 square feet of gaming and nearly 1,800 employees.

Cherokee Casino Resort and Cherokee Casino West Siloam Springs are currently undergoing major renovations. Upon completion in 2009, the resort will have an additional 19-story hotel, expanded gaming and meeting space, a 2,000-seat arena and additional restaurants and nightclubs, including a Toby Keith’s I Love This Bar and Grill. The West Siloam Springs facility, currently 50,000 square feet, will grow to 312,000 square feet and add more than 1,600 electronic games and 30 poker tables. The expanded casino will also have a six-story hotel with meeting space, a Las Vegas-style buffet, brand-name eateries and an upscale dining option. West Siloam Springs’ renovations are slated for completion in 2008.

Located at Cherokee Casino Resort, Cherokee Hills Golf Club first opened in 1924. It was purchased and renovated by CNE in 2003. The 18-hole course spans more than 170 acres immediately north and west of the casino.

CNE’s vision is to be the model tribal enterprise delivering superior value to guests and providing financial independence to the Cherokee Nation through sustained growth, job creation and business development. CNE is the retail, gaming, entertainment, hospitality, and cultural tourism entity of the Cherokee Nation and operates seven casinos, located in Tulsa, Claremore, Roland, West Siloam Springs, Fort Gibson, Sallisaw and Tahlequah. CNE also oversees a horse racing track, a full-service Cherokee Travel Plaza, two Cherokee Outpost convenience stores, six retail tobacco shops, three gift shops, two golf courses and three hotels.