On Friday, December 11, 2020 the Business Committee promoted two citizens of the  Seneca-Cayuga Nation to executive business roles. Mark Morrison was named General Manager of the Seneca-Cayuga Nation Tobacco Company and Nicholas Birdsong was named General Manager of Grand Lake Casino. 

Morrison and Birdsong were promoted based on their exceptional performance in previous roles and for their contributions while serving these roles in interim capacities. Both are highly qualified and the Business Committee is confident in their ability to lead the Seneca-Cayuga Enterprises into the future. Morrison and Birdsong share values of work ethic, exhibit dedication to their fellow Seneca-Cayuga citizens and innovative plans for the organizations they have been charged to lead.   

Mark Morrison, known to most as Gore, began working at the Tobacco Company when he was just 18 years old. Nearly twenty years later, Morrison is honored to be named General Manager and shared his thoughts on the new role, “I hope to hire as many Seneca-Cayuga citizens as I can. I want to use my position to give others the same chances that I was given in this organization. This is an excellent place for our Tribal members to work. We have a great team here; one that works hard and genuinely enjoys each other. Our success as a business is only possible because of this team.” 

Nick Birdsong has served in many roles at Grand Lake Casino over the last ten years. Most recently, his role was Assistant General Manager and interim General Manager during our executive search. Birdsong considers it an honor to lead the Nation’s largest enterprise. He shared with us: “There is no greater honor than being selected to lead the team responsible for growing our tribe’s greatest economic engine. Obviously, there is a lot of pressure associated with the job, but it’s a role I have been preparing my entire career to fulfill.” As General Manager, Birdsong plans to focus on creating value for the Seneca-Cayuga Nation by providing the highest quality experiences for casino employees and guests. “Our guests respond most to team members that are engaged and fulfilled by their work. By providing the best possible team member experience, we increase our service levels and garner loyalty from our guests. This is our path to growth.” In addition to being named Casino General Manager, Birdsong is also celebrating a keystone achievement with his recent graduation from Missouri Southern State University with a degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in Management. 

Chief Sarah S. Channing, speaking on the promotion of Birdsong and Morrison shared, “Our tobacco and gaming businesses are integral to the success of our great Nation. We are fortunate to have Nick Birdsong and Mark Morrison as tribal citizens and leaders of our great Nation. I am proud to see our citizens pursue greatness in both their personal and professional lives. Our business operations and entire Nation benefit when citizens use their hard work, experience, education and talents to provide efficient and effective leadership right here in our own Tribe.” 

The Business Committee wishes to extend our congratulations to Mark and Nick, and welcome them to our executive staff!