Board of Directors and Corporate Management

Michael Canfield – Chairman

Michael Canfield recently retired from a successful 30 years as a board member and President and CEO of the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center (IPCC) and Indian Pueblos Marketing, Inc (IPMI). These corporations are owned by the 19 Indian Pueblos of New Mexico and are responsible for the development and operation of tribally owned organizations located within the 19 Pueblos District in Albuquerque. During his tenure with IPCC and IPMI, he and his team have transformed the area into a successful business and cultural corridor.

Michael is the founder and president of Valliant Consulting Group located in Albuquerque. Valliant provides Organizational Development and Human Resources services to clients throughout the nation.

Michael has his bachelor’s degree in business management and has strong ties to the New Mexico community. He is a member of the Laguna Pueblo and serves on many community and business boards including Presbyterian Healthcare Services, CNM Ingenuity, Visit Albuquerque, The Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce, Laguna Construction Corporation, Laguna Development Corp. and the New Mexico Gas Company.

Mark van Hartesvelt – Vice Chairman

A 40-year hotel veteran, Mark is recognized as an industry leader and innovator in marketing and operations in the hotel, resort, casino, and real estate industries. He is a former adjunct professor at Boston University and the University of Denver. He co-authored one of the hotel industry’s classic textbooks and is a frequent speaker at industry conferences on future trends, marketing, and operations. He is a current and past board member of a number of public and private corporations.

Mark is co-founder of several hospitality enterprises including Hartland Hotel Group, a hotel and resort advisory group to real estate owners and developers (2014- present), GCommerce Solutions, an award winning digital marketing agency specializing in hospitality industry clients (2002 – present), and Gemstone Hotels & Resorts, a boutique management company specializing in the management of independent, luxury hotels and resorts and the asset management of luxury branded hotels and resorts (1994 -2009). Mark also held C-Suite positions with several large hotel and casino companies.

Mark graduated from Michigan State University’s School of Hotel, Restaurant and Institutional Management and worked toward a master’s in business administration at the University of Chicago. He lives in Park City, Utah with his wife and enjoys golf, tennis, wine, and travel.

Helen B. Padilla – Board Member

Helen B. Padilla, Esq., is a tribal member of the Pueblo of Isleta. Helen serves on the Board of Directors for the Laguna Development Corporation. She also serves as Secretary-Treasurer for the 19 Pueblos District Oversight Commission, assisting the tribal government that oversees Pueblo trust lands located in Albuquerque, NM. Helen is the Chair for the Committee on Diversity in the Legal Profession of the State Bar of NM (CDLP), currently serving as Chair of the CDLP’s Subcommittee on Advancing Diverse Bar Applicants. Helen is committed to increasing the number of Native Americans and other diverse groups being admitted to the practice of law. For 15 years, she was the Executive Director of the American Indian Law Center, Inc. She has also served as General Counsel and Tax Administrator for the Pueblo of Tesuque. Helen served as General Counsel for the cabinet-level Indian Affairs Department for the State of New Mexico, appointed by Gov. Bill Richardson. She was also a senior staff attorney for the Mohegan Tribe of Indians of Connecticut for over seven years, assistant regional counsel for the Social Security Administration in Denver and a legal intern with the National Indian Gaming Commission in Washington, D.C. She received her Juris Doctorate, with a Certificate in Indian Law, her Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree in Business Administration from the University of New Mexico. She is a member of the New Mexico Bar and is also admitted to practice law in Colorado and Connecticut. She served five years on the Board of Directors for the Indian Law Section of the State Bar of New Mexico, serving as Chair of the Board in 2009. She has served as an adjunct faculty member at UNM School of Law, teaching State-Tribal Relations.

Michael Smith – Board Member

Michael has over 30 years of experience in the commercial gaming industry. He is the owner and president of Colorado Casino Resorts, Inc, and its wholly owned subsidiary Double Eagle Resorts, Inc., which owns and operates the Double Eagle Casino and Hotel in Cripple Creek, CO. When gaming was legalized in Colorado in the early 1990’s, Michael become involved in the casino industry initially as legal counsel to the ownership group which designed and built the Double Eagle Casino. Michael is a past President and Vice President of the Colorado Gaming Association. He has served as a Board member for both public and private companies, and has extensive business and legal experience, including operational management, financing, real estate acquisition and development, mergers and acquisitions, regulatory compliance, governmental relations, investor relations, public relations, corporate governance, general corporate law, and commercial litigation. Prior to his involvement in the casino industry, Michael was a commercial trial and business lawyer.

Michael received his BA degree from Marquette university in 1981; his Juris Doctorate from Marquette University in 1984; and his MBA from Regis University in 1999. He holds a key gaming license in Colorado and he is a Colorado licensed attorney. Michael and his wife live in Sedalia, CO., and when not working, he enjoys the grandkids, skiing, golf, and reading.

Perry Eiman – Board Member

Ronald Sarracino  – Ex Officio

Corporate Management

Maxine Velasquez
President & Chief Executive Officer

Maxine R. Velasquez, a member of the Pueblo of Laguna, has served as President and CEO of Laguna Development Corporation since April 2020. She brings more than 25 years of experience in general counsel and senior executive roles, representing tribal governments, tribally owned enterprises, and tribal gaming regulatory authorities.

An attorney with extensive expertise in Indian gaming and economic development. Velasquez played a key role in negotiating the 2001, 2007, and 2015 New Mexico Tribal-State Gaming Compacts.

She holds a Juris Doctor, MBA, and MPA, along with undergraduate degrees and
business certificates from the University of New Mexico, Allan Hancock College, and the University of Norte Dame.

Gary Murrey
Chief Operating Officer

Mr. Murrey is Vice-President and Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Laguna Development Corporation. He brings extensive experience in the gaming and hospitality industry to LDC having held executive positions in private, tribal and large-scale casino resorts in multiple jurisdictions across the country. He has previously overseen companies with multi-site gaming properties, RV resorts and convenience stores, At LDC he will serve as a corporate officer as well as provide direction and oversight to company operations including gaming, food & beverage, retail, marketing and more.

Ryan Loveland
Chief Financial Officer

Mr. Loveland Is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) with an accounting career spanning more than 15 years concentrated on serving tribal governments and casinos. He holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from the Robert
O. Anderson School of Management at the University of New Mexico. Mr. Loveland oversees the financial reporting of LDC’s full portfolio of companies and provides essential strategic guidance on business opportunities and acquisitions aimed at diversifying and growing the company.

Michelle Barnett
Corporate Director, Retail

With over 40 years of experience in the hospitality service industry – including retail, food and beverage – a part of Laguna Development Corporation for more than 17 years, serving in roles such as Food & Beverage Purchasing Manager, Food & Beverage Analyst, Procurement Manager, and most recently, Corporate Director of Retail.

Jorge Brasil
Corporate Director, Food & Beverage Operations

Mr. Brasil has over twenty-five years of management experience. Prior to working at LDC, Mr. Brasil worked at Grand Casino Mille Lacs where he was Vice President of Food & Beverage Operations. Jorge’s passion for working in the hospitality industry began with the start of his own catering company Bon Vivant in 1986.

Alysha Chavez
Associate Director Administration

Mrs. Chavez is a member of the Pueblo of Laguna. She has been employed at Laguna Development Corporation for the past 25 years. She is the Associate Director of Administration at LDC’s corporate headquarters and serves as Secretary for company’s Board of Directors. She is a member of the Laguna Ambassadors program. As an ambassador she continues to serve as a role model for future generations as they seek to advance their careers in the gaming and hospitality industry. She holds an Associate’s Degree in Liberal Arts from New Mexico State University.

Adrian Cheresposy
General Manager, Dancing Eagle Casino

Adrian Cheresposy is a member of the Pueblo of Laguna and has been with Laguna Development Corporation for over 15 years. He has held several leadership positions at both Route 66 Casino and at Dancing Eagle Casino including as Assistant General Manager at both properties. Adrian is an Alumni of the University of Nevada Las Vegas, where he studied Resort and Lodging Management and Entertainment.

Adrian Fox
General Manager, Route 66 Casino Hotel

Mr. Fox has been involved in the hospitality industry for over 30 years. He graduated from the University of Nevada and has worked in gaming jurisdictions in New Mexico, Nevada, Colorado and Florida. Mr. Fox has experience in casino leadership, start-ups and acquisitions for Native American and commercial organizations. Mr. Fox has been with LDC since 2015.

Melissa Free
Corporate Director, Sales & Marketing

Melissa brings a wide-ranging background shaped by decades of hands-on experience across the gaming and hospitality world. She began her journey in the industry in 1990, starting on the front lines and growing through roles in guest services, convention operations, and human resources before finding her true passion in marketing.

In her current role, she oversees all aspects of marketing for the corporation and provides strategic direction to ensure long-term growth and brand alignment. Melissa completed her Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management from UNLV, blending formal education with the practical experience gained throughout her career.

Daisy Hernandez
Corporate Director, Human Resources

Ms. Hernandez is a dynamic, proactive and people-driven professional with over 20 years’ gaming and hospitality management experience. Her broad experience includes all areas of expertise in Human Resources. She provides vital support, guidance, and leadership to senior management in the development and implementation of strategies that achieve measurable business results. She earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from the Robert O. Anderson School of Management at the University of New Mexico with a concentration in Human Resource Management and Organizational Development. Mrs. Hernandez has been with LDC since 2006.

Edward Khader
Corporate Director, Information Technology

Mr. Khader is a seasoned IT executive with over 20 years of experience in the gaming and hospitality industry. He has a proven track record of leading high-performing teams and driving the development of innovative IT solutions that enhance business growth and operational efficiency. His expertise includes managing complex IT systems, overseeing large-scale projects, and aligning IT strategies with business objectives. Mr. Khader has been with LDC since 2002.

Ryan Riley
Corporate Director, Risk Management/Government Relations Liaison

Mr. Riley is a Pueblo of Laguna tribal member from the Village of Seama. He has dedicated more than 30 years to serving Native American communities across the United States in the public, tribal, and private sectors. His professional background includes extensive executive leadership experience in tribal and federal government, policy development, economic and community development, natural resources and environmental management, and risk management.

Mr. Riley had the distinguished honor of serving 12 years on the Pueblo of Laguna Tribal Council as a cane-bearing Staff Officer and Council Representative. He also spent 14 years with the U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Indian Affairs, holding key leadership roles such as Southwest Deputy Regional Director, Regional Environmental Scientist, and Agency Superintendent. Additionally, he has contributed his expertise to the LDC Board of Directors, the All-Pueblo Council of Governors Legislative Committee, and the Laguna Education Foundation.

Since joining LDC in 2018, Mr. Riley has served as the Office of Government Relations Director (October 2018–November 2021) and has held his current position as Corporate Director of Risk Management and Government Relations since November 2021. He holds undergraduate degrees in Business Administration and Wildlife Biology from New Mexico State University, as well as a Master of Public Administration and a Master of Psychology from Grand Canyon University in Arizona.

Alicia Sanasac
Corporate Legal Counsel

Ms. Sanasac is a member of the Pueblo of Laguna. She has more than 14 years of legal experience in the practice areas of federal Indian and tribal law, Indian gaming, business and transactional law, and employment matters. She served as Board Chair of the Laguna Department of Education and Vice-President of the New Mexico Indian Bar Association. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, Minor in Business Administration, and Juris Doctorate, all from the University of New Mexico. She also holds a Certificate in Indian Law and received the Mary Beth & Richard West Award for Excellence in Indian Law from the University of New Mexico.

Donovan York
Corporate Director, Gaming Operations

Donovan has worked in the gaming industry for over 33 years. His experience spans across the Colorado, Nevada, and New Mexico markets where he’s performed in various leadership roles. Donovan has extensive experience opening new properties and has orchestrated numerous gaming expansions. He’s worked in nearly every facet of the gaming industry and brings with him a wealth of knowledge and ability. Being born and raised in Colorado, Donovan also studied Criminology & Sociology at Colorado Mesa University.

Kenneth Mitchell, CFM
Corporate/Senior Director, Facilities

Ken has been with the Laguna Development Corporation for five years as the Senior Director of Facilities. Ken has managed over $5O million in capital projects including Legends Theater and has served as a liaison with the Pueblo of Laguna on various projects. Prior to joining the LDC team, Ken served in the public sector for 25 years with the City Of Albuquerque as the Chief Facilities Official and a Director at the Parks and Recreation Department. Ken was responsible for managing a $3 billion asset portfolio of over 700 facilities which included the Albuquerque International Sunport, Albuquerque/Bernalillo County Government and Law Enforcement Centers, Albuquerque Convention Center, Balloon Fiesta Park, Emergency Operations Center, Forensics Laboratory, golf courses, municipal parks, open space lands and much more. Ken holds a degree in Construction Management and is currently licensed with the state of New Mexico as a GB-98 General Contractor and MM-98 Master Mechanical Contractor. In his spare time Ken likes spending quality time with his family traveling and enjoying the outdoors.