W. Ron Allen

W. Ron Allen is Tribal chairman of the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe, (serving 1977-present). He is also a former board member of First Nations Development Institute.

As the Tribal chairman, Ron Allen is responsible for representing his Tribe as the elected leader, and addressing political and policy issues and/or positions at the national, state, and local levels. As the chief executive officer (serving 1982-present), he is also responsible for the administration of all the Tribe’s programs, including education, career development, social services, housing, health, economic development, natural resource management, and cultural/traditional affairs.

Some of his accomplishments include leading the Tribe from a zero resource base in 1982 to a current annual budget level of approximately $26 million, and from a landless reservation base in 1982 to a land base of over 1,000 acres without federal assistance. Additionally, he has led the Tribe to establish business enterprises that include Seven Cedars Casino, Northwest Native Expressions Art Gallery, JKT Development, Jamestown Excavating, and Jamestown Health & Medical Supplies.

He is widely recognized at the national, state, and local level for his strong commitment to improving the quality, financing, and delivery of healthcare services for American Indians and Alaska Natives. His commitment is shown through the multiple organizations in which he has participated and continues to participate, including the National Congress of American Indians, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Tribal Technical Advisory Group, Washington Indian Gaming Association, and many more.