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Former San Manuel chairman ready to tackle economy, jobs as San Bernardino County supervisor

Joe Nelson, Staff Writer, The Sun. Discussion »

SAN BERNARDINO, CALIFORNIA – James Ramos rose from an impoverished youth on the San Manuel Indian reservation to one of the most prominent movers and shakers in San Bernardino County.

Ramos' tribe, the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians, has donated millions of dollars to local schools, hospitals, law enforcement agencies, fire departments and various nonprofits. The largesse has been provided courtesy of profits generated by San Manuel Indian Bingo and Casino.

For four years, Ramos served as chairman of his tribe, leading one of the wealthiest and most powerful gaming tribes in the nation.

And now, Ramos, 45, will be sworn in today as the first San Manuel tribal member elected to the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors.

He credits education as the single most important factor in his success and the success of his tribe.

"Education paved the way not only for the tribal government, but for the community as a whole,"

said Ramos, who holds an MBA from the University of Redlands, a bachelor's of science degree in business administration from Cal State San Bernardino and an associate degree in business management from Victor Valley College in Victorville.

Before the San Manuel tribe opened its bingo hall in 1985 and grew it to one of the most profitable tribal casinos in the nation, members of the tribe, including Ramos, eked out a living any way they could.

For a few years, the tribe Read More »

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posted December 3, 2012 11:40 am est