Executive Committee

Pala Band of Mission Indians California Pala Administration Building PBMI Admin

Tribal Council

The Pala Band of Mission Indians is governed by a six-member Executive Committee. Committee members are elected by the General Council, which includes all qualified voters 18 years of age and older. Elections are held every two 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 – Brandon Johnson
Secretary – Theressa Villa
Treasurer – Theresa J. Nieto
Council Member – Sheila Smith-Lopez
Council Member – John A. Machado

Robert H. Smith — Tribal Chairman

Robert H. Smith has served as Chairman of the Pala Band of Mission Indians since 1990. Chairman Smith successfully negotiated the first Tribal-State compact in California with Governor Pete Wilson in 1996. Subsequently, he 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 opening 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, the National Congress of American Indians, and the National Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Board.

Chairman Smith resides with his wife on the Pala Reservation in northern San Diego County. He has four children: Catherine, Victoria, Lorraine, and stepdaughter Jodi. Chairman Smith is Lizzie Blacktooth’s great-grandson and Annie Moro’s grandson. 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 his family, riding his Harley-Davidson motorcycle, and attending ball games.

Brandon Johnson — Vice Chairman

Brandon Johnson was elected Vice Chairman in 2023 and began their term in 2024.

Theressa Villa — Tribal Secretary

Theressa Villa was elected Tribal Secretary in 2011. She previously served as Tribal Treasurer from 1991 to 1993 and has served on numerous tribal committees and boards.

Villa graduated from Fallbrook Union High School and American Business College in San Marcos and has lived on the Pala Reservation for 62 years and has six children and 20 grandchildren

Theresa J. Nieto — Tribal Treasurer

Theresa J. Nieto has faithfully served her community as Tribal Treasurer since 2001. As the Chief Financial Officer for the Pala Band of Mission Indians, she is responsible for managing, caring for, and stewarding the Tribe’s financial assets, ensuring long-term stability and prosperity for future generations.

Throughout her tenure, Mrs. Nieto has developed and implemented impactful programs designed to strengthen and support tribal members. These initiatives include the Tribal General Welfare Program, which provides non-taxable income assistance; a $ 150,000-per-tribal-member Death Benefit Program; a Self-Insured Medical Program; a Tribal Member Loan Program; and a Financial Literacy Program dedicated to educating and empowering tribal youth.

In addition to her executive leadership role, Mrs. Nieto has served on numerous tribal committees and boards, contributing her expertise and guidance to the Pala Spa and Casino Business Board, Indian Health Council Board, Mission San Antonio Parish Board, Pala Senior Advisory Board, and the Pala Interactive Board of Directors.

Treasurer Nieto resides on the Pala Reservation with her husband, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, continuing her lifelong dedication to the well-being and advancement of her people.

Sheila Smith-Lopez — Tribal Council Member

Sheila Smith-Lopez has served on the Tribal Council since 2012. Before being elected, Smith-Lopez was the Director of the Cupa Cultural Center in Pala.