Eastern Cherokee chief wasn't top ranked choice for gaming job

Monday, September 21, 2015

Michell Hicks. Photo from North Carolina State University

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Michell Hicks, the outgoing chief of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians in North Carolina, was offered a gaming job after the first choice turned it down.

The Cherokee One Feather was the first to report the hiring of Hicks as the new executive director of the tribal gaming commission. The paper followed up with a more detailed story about his selection

An executive search firm found nine qualified candidates. Only the top five -- Hicks included -- were called in for interviews.

A view of the Harrah's Cherokee Casino Resort in Cherokee, North Carolina. Photo from Facebook

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“This was the first point in the process that the commissioners were made aware of the applicant’s names," commissioner Donald Rose told the paper.

The commission picked someone for the job but it wasn't Hicks, the paper reported. That person -- whose name wasn't disclosed -- withdrew due to salary concerns, Rose said.

That's when Hicks was offered the post. He accepted a $257,000 salary and will officially start work on October 6, the paper reported.

Patrick Lambert will be sworn in as principal chief of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians on October 5, 2015. Photo from Facebook

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Hicks served three terms as chief of the tribe and chose not to seek re-election. He will step down on October 5, when Patrick Lambert is sworn into office.

Lambert, Incidentally, served as executive director of the gaming commission for 22 years before stepping down earlier this year to run for chief. He was its first director.

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