Chairman Cody J. Martinez
Cody J. Martinez is a results-driven Tribal leader dedicated to protecting Sycuan’s sovereignty and expanding opportunities for all.
In his third consecutive term and now ninth year as Sycuan’s Tribal Chairman, Cody J. Martinez has proven to be a results-driven Tribal leader dedicated to protecting Sycuan’s sovereignty and expanding opportunities for all.
Martinez has provided strong leadership and guidance for Sycuan’s Tribal members and to the more than 3,000 employees of Sycuan’s affiliated businesses, including Sycuan Casino Resort, Singing Hills Golf Resort at Sycuan and the world-renowned U.S. Grant Hotel. During his Chairmanship, Sycuan has streamlined operations and reduced costs while seeing unprecedented business diversification and economic growth. He has overseen expanded and improved services, making Sycuan synonymous with leadership and responsible governance.
His leadership in the areas of job creation, tax generation and expansion of critical services has improved the lives of his constituents, Sycuan employees and the surrounding communities. Under his guidance, The Sycuan Tribal Development Corporation (STDC) has greatly expanded its reach and influence. By diversifying STDC’s holdings, Chairman Martinez has helped to deliver tremendous financial stability supporting Sycuan’s long-term commitment to self-determination and expanding future revenue streams beyond gaming alone.
Most recently, Chairman Martinez has led Sycuan’s partnership to successfully bring Major League Soccer’s 30th franchise to San Diego, which will begin play in 2025. “Given the opportunity to be at the owner’s table, which is limited, is a proud moment for Sycuan,” Chairman Cody Martinez said. “It is a glass-ceiling moment for Native Americans. It gives us more of a platform to advocate for things we all have as common goals — education, health care, sport, elevating those from distressed and impoverished backgrounds to better opportunities.”
Chairman Martinez’ commitment to Sycuan being a thought leader in community engagement has elevated the Tribe’s profile throughout San Diego. Sycuan’s financial support and engaged activism of worthy causes and economic development projects throughout the region have resulted in thousands of hours of service and millions of dollars in support for some of the communities’ most vital causes and vulnerable constituencies.
Martinez as always been focused on Sycuan’s well-being and improving the lives of its members and prior to his election as Chairman, Martinez played a critical role in developing new and improved infrastructure on the reservation through securing federal grant funds and spearheading an $18 million capital project. With conservation and the protection of natural resources being close to his heart, Martinez helped create a first-in-the-nation Natural Resource Management Plan for nearly 1,500 acres of land acquired by the Sycuan Band. Through one-of-a-kind partnerships with the County of San Diego, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the state of California, Martinez was able to preserve and protect a sensitive wildlife habitat, simultaneously creating opportunities for future economic development and protection of cultural and archaeological resources.
As Tribal Treasurer from 2007-2010, Martinez demonstrated a quick grasp of the nuances of budgeting, prudent debt management and strategic reduction in government expenses in the face of an economic recession.
Chairman Martinez also served in a leadership role on the Sycuan Gaming Commission, protecting the assets of the Tribe and preserving the integrity of the gaming experience for customers. As the primary regulator of gaming operations, Martinez helped ensure strict compliance with Tribal ordinances, the Tribal-state compact and Federal regulations.
A fourth generation descendent of Soloman Paipa, an original allottee when the Sycuan reservation was established in 1875, Martinez was born and raised on the Sycuan Indian Reservation and is the proud father of two children.
