Tribal Council
The Pala Band of Mission Indians is governed by a six member Executive Committee. Committee members elected by the General Council, which includes all qualified voters 18 years and older. Elections are held every 2 years in November. The Tribe is governed by a constitution adopted in November 1994 and certified by the BIA Pacific Region in 1997 retroactive to 1994.
Current Executive Committee members are:
- Tribal Chairman – Robert Smith
- Vice Chairman – Anthony Ravago
- Secretary – Theressa Villa
- Treasurer – Theresa J. Nieto
- Council Member – Sheila Lopez
- Council Member – Bradly Gauchino
Robert H. Smith — Tribal Chairman
Robert H. Smith serves as Chairman of the Pala Band of Mission Indians, a position he has held since 1990. Chairman Smith successfully negotiated the first Tribal-State compact in California with Governor Pete Wilson in 1996, and subsequently supervised the opening of Pala Casino, creating thousands of jobs for tribal members and area residents. Chairman Smith’s work for the Pala Tribe includes providing health, vision and dental insurance for all members, creating a $1.5 million home loan program, launching a $300,000 scholarship fund for higher education, purchasing additional land for the Tribal cemetery and securing 24-hour on-site ambulance, firefighter and paramedic service for the Pala Reservation. Chairman Smith is also responsible for the opening of the Pala Library and Pala Child Care Center.
Chairman Smith is a member of the California Tribal Business Alliance, San Luis Rey Indian Water Authority, Southern California Tribal Chairman Association, San Diego Association of Governments, Indian Health Council for North San Diego County, Pala Housing Authority, Pala Fire Department, National Fire Protection Agency, California State Fireman Association, Vivian Banks Charter School Parent Advisory Board and the Cupa Cultural Center. He also serves as Chairman of the California Indian Manpower Consortium and the California Fee-to-Trust Consortium. Chairman Smith is a delegate on the National Bureau of Indian Affairs Tribal Leaders Budget Committee, the National Indian Gaming Association and the National Congress of American Indians and the National Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Board.
Chairman Smith resides on the Pala Reservation in Northern San Diego County with his wife. He has four children; Catherine, Victoria, Lorraine and stepdaughter Jodi. Chairman Smith is the great grandson of Lizzie Blacktooth and the grandson of Annie Moro. His parents are Victor and Marie Smith. He has one sister and one brother. A graduate of Fallbrook High School, Chairman Smith enjoys spending time with family, riding his Harley Davidson motorcycle and attending ball games.
Anthony Ravago — Vice Chairman
Anthony Ravago was elected Vice Chairman in 2017.
Theressa Villa — Tribal Secretary
Theressa Villa was elected Tribal Secretary in 2011. She previously served as Tribal Treasurer from 1991-1993 and has served on numerous tribal committees and board. She is a graduate of Fallbrook Union High School and American Business College San Marcos. Villa has lived on the Pala Reservation for 45 years and has six children and nine grandchildren.
Theresa J. Nieto — Tribal Treasurer
Theresa Nieto resides on the Pala Indian Reservation with her husband and family. Nieto is a graduate of Escondido High School and North County Business College. She enjoys watching ball games, traveling, going to the beach and spending time with her family. Nieto has been Tribal Treasurer since 2001.
Sheila Lopez — Tribal Council Member
Sheila Lopez has served on the Tribal Council since 2012. Prior to being elected to the Tribal Council, Lopez was Director of the Cupa Cultural Center in Pala.
Bradly Gauchino — Tribal Council Member
Bradly Guachino started his term as Committee Member on January 9, 2020. He has lived on the Pala Reservation his whole life and has dedicated the last seven years of his life to the youth and community of Pala. Some of the different roles Bradly has played on the reservation include:
- Senior Services worker
- Groundskeeper for Jim Banks Sports Complex
- Recreational Coordinator for Pala Fitness Center
- Recreational Aide for Pala Youth Center
- Inter-Tribal Sports Board Member
Bradly has also coordinated multiple community events over the years to support youth programs and to promote positive and healthy outlets for the members. He has volunteered his time coaching various sports and martial arts teams including Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Muay Thai kickboxing, cross country, baseball, softball, and others.
When not working Bradly spends his time with his fiancé and his four children at their various sporting events, or in the gym, on a run, at an obstacle race, or even just watching wrestling at home. Bradly looks forward to doing his part for the people of Pala.