Herman Dillon Sr. - Council Chairman

Herman Dillon, Sr. has served on the council for 23 years and is currently the chair. In this position he often represents the Tribe at meetings of various government entities, from the Tacoma area to the federal government in Washington, D.C.

Dillon is known for his commitment to helping youth, and has taken many children into his home as a foster parent. In recognition of his efforts to young people and involvement in the community, Dillon was selected as a member of the Association of Washington Generals, a non-profit organization affiliated with the lieutenant governor’s office.

Larry LaPoint

Lawrence W. LaPointe is serving his fifth term on the council. He was reelected in 2006. LaPointe grew up in Tacoma and graduated from Lincoln High School. After his graduation, he joined the United States Marine Corps and served a tour of duty in Vietnam.

Bill Sterud

Bill Sterud was first elected to the council in 1978. He has spent 26 of the past 30 years on the council, and has served as chair and vice chair. He was reelected in 2007. Sterud represented the Tribe in negotiations that led to the Puyallup Land Claims Settlement in the late 1980s.

David Bean

David Z. Bean was elected to the council in 2006. He graduated from the University of Puget Sound in 1992 with a bachelor’s degree in business and public administration. After graduation he spent eight years working for the tribe’s economic development arm, which at the time was known as Puyallup International Inc. He was part of development teams that secured funding for the casino, Chinook Landing Marina and a cargo container repair and storage operation. He then went to work with his mother helping operate her retail tobacco stores.

James V. Miles, Sr.

James V. Miles, Sr. was elected to the council in 2007. Prior to this he held various jobs within the Tribe, including vice president of Puyallup International Inc., deputy executive officer of tribal administration, executive director of the Tribal Gaming Department, director of the Tribal Housing Improvement Program, chair of the Tribal Gaming Commission and chair of the Tribal Financial Committee.

Nancy Shippentower-Games

Nancy Shippentower-Games was elected to her second term on Tribal Council in 2008. She served one term in the late 1980s during the Tribe’s Land Claims Settlement, and has been actively involved in Tribal rights issues throughout her life. Prior to her election, she worked in various positions for the Tribe, most recently being a security coordinator for the Emerald Queen Casino.

Sylvia Miller

Sylvia Miller was born and raised in Washington. She graduated from Stadium High School in 1977 and continued her education at Tacoma Community College and Bates Technical College. Sylvia Miller has worked for the Puyallup Tribe of Indians as a youth coordinator, fisheries secretary, executive secretary for Tribal Council, director of JTPA, law enforcement dispatcher, administration assistant. She has previously served two terms on the Tribal Council.

Sylvia Miller would like to thank the membership for this opportunity to serve on the governing body of the Puyallup Tribe of Indians.