Retired Local Casino CEO Picked For TCEDA Board Seat

Sonora, CA – The Tuolumne County Economic Development Authority Board of Directors have selected a former local casino CEO to take one of two vacant seats on the board.

Retired Black Oak Casino Resort CEO Ron Patel was unanimously selected to fill an at-large 4 year term at a special board meeting Friday, but the board left the two year position vacant. Beside Patel, three others had applied for the two seats, as reported here. They include Ryan Land, Marianne Wright and Rob Hoerntlein. Executive Director Larry Cope tells Clarke Broadcasting that the board decided not to fill the two-year position just yet and instead “the selection will be conducted through an interview process at a future regular or special TCEDA board meeting before the end of the year.”

The 3 to 1 decision came as not all of the board members knew the other three candidates and wanted to speak face-to-face with them before choosing a candidate. Opposed to that idea was TCEDA Board Chair and District 4 Tuolumne County Supervisor John Gray.

As detailed in an earlier report, one of the two seats left vacant was by Jim Gianelli who exited with two years left on his term due to his moving out of the county. The other is held by Dave Thoeny whose term is expiring. Patel’s 4 year term will begin in January.