MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – The National Indian Gaming Association's annual gathering wrapped up recently in Phoenix, and brought together some 4,700 gaming professionals and 326 exhibiting companies in a forum for progress, tribal sovereignty, education, and industry celebration.

The most prestigious event of the week, the Wendell Chino Humanitarian Awards Banquet, honored award recipients Chairman Jose "Moke" Simon III of Middletown Rancheria and Chairman John Berrey of Quapaw Tribe in Oklahoma.

Chairman since 1997, Simon was lauded for his leadership in some of the most challenging times for the tribe and Lake County.

Simon led his community through the Valley fire, the third-most destructive in California history, and its aftermath.

Among other things, he set up temporary housing for tribal members and employees, and provided 260 beds for people from the community displaced by the fire.

His ongoing leadership has brought the Middletown Rancheria even closer together with its non-Indian neighbors to weather one of the state's worst disasters.

Simon currently is among four candidates seeking the District 1 seat on the Lake County Board of Supervisors.

“I’m humbled to receive the association’s most prestigious award and am energized to accomplish even more for the rancheria and the community we’re a part of,” said Simon. “Working together, the people of Lake County remain positive and focused on recovering from the devastation caused by the Valley fire.”

“We applaud Chairman Simon and his community for their humanitarian efforts in such trying times. Despite the enormous devastation they were faced with, Chairman Simon provided the courage, leadership and strength needed to bring the community together,” said National Indian Gaming Association Chairman Ernie Stevens Jr.