Richard St. Jean to Lead Morongo Casino Resort & Spa Into ‘New Era of Innovation and Growth’

Longtime Tribal gaming executive Richard St. Jean has taken the helm as the new chief operating officer overseeing the Morongo Casino Resort & Spa near Palm Springs, California. 

St. Jean has amassed more than 25 years of successful hospitality and casino experience. St. Jean replaces John James, who serves as President and CEO of Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket, Connecticut.

“Richard comes to Morongo at an exciting time and brings with him a successful track record of operational excellence and proven leadership,” said Morongo Tribal Chairman Robert Martin. “We are confident that his vision, deep industry expertise, and innovative spirit will fuel the next chapter of prosperity at Morongo while advancing our ongoing commitment to consistently exceeding the expectations of our guests.”

St. Jean joins Morongo as the resort gears up to ring in its 15th anniversary in December. The property’s 27-story hotel tower is undergoing a renovation and expansion that will integrate new décor and guest amenities. The 65,000-square-foot resort expansion will debut in mid-2020. Morongo recently introduced three new restaurants, Pink Coffee patisserie and coffee house, Good Times Cafe gastropub, and Mozen Asian Kitchen.

“I am very excited to be joining Morongo’s exceptionally talented team of hospitality and gaming professionals as we welcome a new era of innovation and growth that will further strengthen the casino’s position as a premier gaming and resort destination,” St. Jean said. “As a nationally recognized leader in tribal gaming, Morongo has a proud legacy of protecting tribal sovereignty and creating new opportunity for Indian Country, and I am honored to be a part of that history. “

From the Waldorf Astoria in New York City to Caesars Palace in Las Vegas to Penn National Gaming, St. Jean has held a number of leadership positions at renowned hospitality destinations across the country. For 17 years he served in various roles for Station Gaming, including as President of Native American Gaming. There he oversaw the $720 million expansion of Thunder Valley Casino in Lincoln, California, and the $200 million grand opening of Gun Lake Casino in Wayland, Michigan.

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