The Morongo Band of Mission Indians has named Mike Bean as the new CEO of the Morongo Casino Resort & Spa and Casino Morongo, where he will oversee all operations of the two gaming destinations near Palm Springs. Bean replaces industry veteran Richard St. Jean, who led Morongo through a period of growth over the past five years before stepping down at the end of 2024.
With more than 30 years of experience in the gaming and hospitality industry, Bean is being lauded as a seasoned executive known for his leadership and success in driving large-scale growth. Throughout his career, he has held senior positions at Mohegan Sun, Foxwoods Resort Casino, and Harrah’s Entertainment. Most recently, Bean served as CEO of Desert Diamond Casinos & Entertainment, where he led the organization’s planning and development for long-term growth, including the recent opening of its fifth casino.
“Mike’s extensive experience in tribal gaming and hospitality makes him an ideal fit for this role,” said Morongo Tribal Chairman Charles Martin. “He brings a deep understanding of the industry and a proven ability to lead teams toward continued success. We are confident that his strategic vision and operational expertise will help Morongo achieve new heights as we continue to enhance our offerings and deliver exceptional experiences for our guests.”
Bean’s leadership was instrumental in the success of major gaming operations, including his role in growing Foxwoods Resort Casino into one of the largest casinos in the world, Martin said. He played a key role in the development and opening of Mohegan Sun Pocono, Pennsylvania’s first casino and Mohegan Sun’s first commercial casino. He also served as CEO of the Saginaw Chippewa Gaming Enterprises.
“Morongo is a nationally recognized leader in tribal gaming and has a long history of protecting tribal sovereignty and nurturing new opportunities across Indian Country. I’m excited to build on that strong foundation to advance the Tribe’s vision,” Bean said.
The 27-story Morongo Casino Resort & Spa celebrated its 20th anniversary last year. Under Bean’s leadership, the resort and its sister property, the Casino Morongo, are poised to continue their trajectory of growth and innovation, Martin said.
