Michael Smith, Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community member and owner of Piipaash Shell, was honored on April 8 for three decades of service to the SRPMIC Community Gaming Enterprises

The year is 1996. Music group the Spice Girls and their latest single, “Wannabe,” are quickly climbing to the top of the charts. The first installment of the “Mission Impossible” film series starring Tom Cruise is about to debut in theaters. 

Meanwhile, in the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community, Michael Smith is about to begin his career working for the Community Gaming Enterprises, a career that will introduce him to many CEOs, a billionaire from California, countless legendary musicians, political figures and a lifetime’s worth of memories. 

On April 8, Smith was honored for 30 years of service at a special celebration. He was quick to remind guests that it was not a retirement party, but a “workiversary” celebration. 

Plans for the celebration were put together thanks to Casino Arizona Team Engagement Specialists David Brewer and Jason Samletzka. It was held inside The Showroom at Casino Arizona. The event featured a catered meal with a celebratory cake. 

As Smith was provided a microphone to say a few words, he started by stating how crucial the poker room is to the SRPMIC Community Gaming Enterprises. “We may not have had our gaming compact or any of this without the poker room,” he said. 

Smith read aloud the names of the individuals he worked with for the last 30 years. Some who are still with us, some now in leadership positions elsewhere in the Community, and the individuals who are no longer with us.

“For those who are no longer with us, I say, ‘They went home,’” said Smith. 

Smith recalled that, before the Community Gaming Enterprises came to be, the Salt River Landfill was the biggest revenue generator for the Community.  

Later, Smith continued to detail the SRPMIC Community Gaming Enterprise history, while the second-ever CEO of Casino Arizona, John Jenkins, smiled proudly and nodded, agreeing with Smith’s retelling of the gaming compact’s early origins. 

Jenkins worked previously at Apache Gold Casino and would later leave there to join Smith at Casino Arizona. With a cheeky grin, Smith recalled, “Myself and a few others went to Apache Gold to meet with him to talk, and he came back with us; we captured him.” 

Smith also said before they were called Casino Arizona and Talking Stick Resort, the Community’s gaming enterprise was simply called “Gaming Development Department.”

In 1996, the department began the process of getting signatures for a referendum to create Proposition 201 and get it on the Arizona ballot. 

Prop. 201 passed on Nov. 5, 1996, with 856,903 Arizonans voting yes to support the state of Arizona entering gaming compacts with Indian tribes. 

During that time, Ivan Makil was chairman of the SRPMIC. Supporters of Prop. 201 at that time included then-Sheriff Joe Arpaio, Tempe Mayor Harry Mitchell and Mesa Mayor Willie Wong.

Smith continued to thank previous and current gaming executives, department officials and the Community for the support he’s received during his three decades of service. He reiterated that the employee 401(k) plan, life and health insurance benefits, as well as the support from upper management, has made the SRPMIC Gaming Enterprises a premiere place to work for many. 

“During COVID, when things were at their worst, a lot of people were being furloughed or laid off and we weren’t sure what the future was going to be. They’ve been extremely grateful for not furloughing anybody and allowing us to take time off while still paying us. There’s no company in the world that would do that, but they did,” he said. 

As he finished his speech, Smith read names of additional individuals who have “gone home” and revealed some of his future goals. 

“Soon, may we see the future development of our tribal members in leadership positions, including one day a tribal chief executive officer, tribal chief hospitality officer, tribal general managers and other tribal directors. We’ll see that real soon; it won’t take 30 years,” he said. 

Smith was then showered with hugs and handshakes and received a diamond-shaped plaque commemorating 30 years of service.

However, in his own words, he’s “not done” just yet. Guests at Casino Arizona can still catch him out on the gaming floor flashing his signature smile.