Brighton Casino Celebrates 25th Anniversary

By Susan Etxebarria

BRIGHTON — Josiah Johns should be pleased and proud; proud of the Tribe, proud of his son, and proud of his own contributions to the Tribe before he died. Johns was given credit for being one of the Tribe’s pioneers in Native American gaming at the 25th anniversary celebration at the Brighton Seminole Casino on Nov. 4.

In 1980, Johns opened the Tribe’s second bingo hall that helped lead the way for the Tribe’s present success as national leaders in the gaming industry.

Brighton Seminole Casino’s General Manager Marty Johns, who followed in his father’s footsteps at the original bingo hall at the age of 19 after his father passed away just a few years after its opening, traced the history of the casino for the audience of VIPs, Tribal dignitaries and honored guests attending a special luncheon.

Marty told the audience he has had a successful and rewarding career because his father had the idea to own and operate a bingo hall on the property where Marty grew up as child.

“He had originally planned to open a hardware store and beauty shop,” said Johns.

Josiah and his wife changed their plans when they were presented with the opportunity to build a 50 foot by 35 foot bingo hall. Marty recalled how popular the bingo hall became in just a short time and how they soon ran out of space. It was packed, customers were even playing outdoors on picnic tables and on the hoods of their cars, he said.

“Twenty five years ago no one dreamed how much the gaming industry would benefit the Tribe,” said Johns. “To me one of the biggest benefits has been that we became self sufficient. We are no longer dependent on the federal government. Today we take care of our own; we educate our own and we determine our own future.”

Simply put, Pastor Wonder Johns commented on the significance of the casino for the Tribe during his invocation: “We no longer live in chickees; we have homes now.”

After describing the early days of the bingo hall and its gradual expansion over the years, through several additions and renovations, until its total re-construction in 1999 to become the 27,000 square foot, $2.6 million dollar gaming facility it is today.

Marty Johns also introduced a number of speakers, including Chairman Mitchell Cypress. Cypress said he has very fond memories of Marty’s dad.

“Josiah, a member of the Panther clan, was a legend in rodeo as well as bingo. He was known for his sense of humor as well as his determination. His life shows that a man can set a goal and accomplish something important and that is what Josiah did in rodeo as well as bingo.”

Josiah Johns was a goodwill ambassador for the Seminoles, he added.

“He was known throughout Florida, he was a popular figure at the Florida Cattlemen’s Association, a real crowd pleaser, an entertainer,” said Cypress. “Someone ought to write a book about him. Josiah is a role model for the Tribe and Marty is following in his footsteps.”

Cypress said that he is going to look into the installation of a sculpture of Josiah Johns to be placed at the casino’s entranceway to acknowledge his contributions. He said the youth need modern day role models.

President Moses Osceola spoke next and he congratulated Marty and his wife, Kim, for their 25 years of service.

“It is good to hear the bingo hall’s history. I did not know it,” he said. “I appreciate what has happened here. Marty has worked very hard and his family has stood behind him. When Josiah passed away we wondered if young Marty could carry on and he has proved he is up to the job.”

Brighton’s Council Representative Andrew Bowers also offered his congratulations.

“Marty didn’t get to stand up here on this stage just because he is Josiah’s son. He has worked very hard at this,” he said.

Marty, seeming a little embarrassed by the accolades was very quick to recognize the contributions of his wife who worked at his side throughout the years. Kim Johns is now the Human Resources director at the casino but Marty recalled the days at the old bingo hall when she was pregnant and sweeping the floors. Both Kim and Marty told the audience they have exceptional and loyal employees. They stressed that developing a reputation for excellent customer service has made the casino the success it is today.

Introduced were managers of every department including Marketing Director, Marci Boswell, who had helped organize and promote the 25th anniversary celebration.

Among the guests, were gaming officials from the corporate headquarters at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, and the Seminole Hard Rock in Tampa. Executive Vice President of Seminole Gaming, Brad Buchanan, said that the fastest growing gaming segment in the U.S. are the Native Americans tribes and that is all because the first two Seminole-owned bingo halls opened the doors to the gaming industry years ago.

“All Native Americans who are in gaming owe their success to the Seminole Tribe,” he said.

In 1980 the Brighton Seminole Casino started with six employees; today there are 130. The Brighton Seminole Casino has the highest profit margin of all the Tribal-owned properties. Adding this large employment base at the casino to the additional jobs at Brighton, the Tribe is now the largest employer in Glades County.

“The success of this property is phenomenal,” said Buchanan who credited the employees and management for an increase of profits of 160 percent.

General Manager of the Tampa property, Joe Fantana, spoke about the challenges Marty encountered in his professional life in the earlier days.

“I think Marty is the first graduate of the school of hard knocks,” said Fontana.

Like many others who assumed Tribal leadership, Marty had to learn from the ground up, he said. Marty had previously told the audience he did not finish high school but today, because of gaming, the Tribe is able to offer its youth an exciting career training program and/or college tuition.

Marty gave heartfelt thanks to the Tribe for giving him the chance to do something he never thought he could do: attend a college course. In October, Marty spent 40 hours in a classroom at the University of Reno with gaming professionals from all over the world where he took and intensive course in a Professional Development Program for casino management. Marty held up the framed certificate he received and signed by the university’s dean of business administration to show his guests.

“This means a lot to me,” he said.

Staff Events Coordinator for Seminole Gaming Susan Renneisen and her assistants had decorated the plain walls and tables of the massive bingo hall for the catered luncheon. In the middle of the night after the bingo hall had closed at 10 p.m. her crew had transformed the hall into a dramatic and regal banquet room with theatrical magic.

Massive heavy black curtains were the backdrops that covered every square inch of the four walls. Arches made of red and gold balloons rose high above the glittering decorated tables covered in white linen.

Marty said “I didn’t think this bingo hall could look so beautiful,” and he asked for a round of applause. The Seminole Tribe Color Guard presented the flag and a film about the cultural heritage and tradition of the Tribe was viewed at the luncheon.

The VIP banquet was just the beginning of the entire day of celebration. An employee luncheon followed and Marty and Kim gave their managers recognition for their contributions. Each manager spoke and it was evident from what they had to say that the staff and employees appreciate their employment at Brighton Seminole Casino.

The rest of the day was spent celebrating with throngs of well wishers and customers. This special day the pots for bingo and poker were record high with $25,000 in cash prizes.