Rodney Butler has been named the chairman of the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation of Connecticut.

Butler, 32, has served on the tribal council for two terms. Most recently, he held the post of treasurer and he will be putting his financial background to use as the tribe seeks to restructure more than $1 billion in debt.

“These are challenging times on a number of fronts, but throughout history, our nation has encountered many challenges and has always emerged on the other side brighter, stronger and more independent than before,” Butler said in a statement to The Norwich Bulletin.

Butler was re-elected on Sunday, along with newcomes Crystal M. Whipple and Steven Thomas, who is the younger brother of former chairman Michael Thomas. The tribal council suspended Michael Thomas after he warned members of "dire financial times."

Get the Story:
Butler named chairman of Mashantucket Pequots (The Norwich Bulletin 11/2)
Mashantuckets elect a new chairman (The New London Day 11/2)