FORT HALL, IDAHO – The Shoshone-Bannock Casino Hotel proudly welcomes back several key figures and introduces new talent to continue advancing the guest and team experience across the property. These strategic appointments represent not only departmental expertise but also a renewed commitment to collaboration, guest satisfaction, and sustainable growth.
 
Returning to lead Hotel Operations, Zach Kutch brings a depth of institutional knowledge and cross-departmental experience. After having previously served as Hotel Operations Director from 2019 to 2021, Kutch rejoined the team with a clear mission: improve communication across departments and enhance the hotel’s ability to deliver exceptional guest service. With a career that began at the original Fort Hall Casino in 2009 and experience in education and finance outside the gaming industry, Kutch is focused on empowering staff, strengthening operations, and preparing the hotel for future expansion.

In the Food & Beverage Department, Lloyd George resumes his role as Director with a passion for mentorship and hospitality excellence. With a culinary education from Le Cordon Bleu and the Culinary Institute of America, Lloyd brings coast-to-coast food & beverage leadership experience. His return is fueled by a desire to foster an elevated dining culture where service, technique, and hospitality come together for unforgettable guest experiences. “F&B is about people,” he says. “Every guest, every holiday, every event—we want to make it count.”
 
On the marketing front, the property welcomes back Andrea Todd, an Idaho marketing veteran known for strategic creativity and brand-building leadership. Having worked with the property previously, Todd’s return as Marketing Director brings seasoned insight into cross-department collaboration and storytelling that resonates. “This isn’t just a brand,” she said. “It’s a place with a story, and we’re going to tell it with purpose.” She envisions a department that acts as a strategic partner to every corner of the property, ensuring that every guest experience feels intentional and memorable.
 
Supporting her is Magic Smith, stepping into his first gaming industry role as Marketing Manager. A graduate in Business Management and Marketing, Magic is eager to bring fresh energy, adaptability, and innovation to the property. His focus is on aligning staff satisfaction with guest enthusiasm—believing a motivated team is the foundation of exceptional guest service. “A happy team creates a ripple effect,” he says. “That’s how we build legendary experiences.”
 
In Human Resources, long-time team member Andrea Hernandez has officially taken the reins as HR Director after serving in an interim capacity. With over 20 years of experience at the property, Hernandez has witnessed and helped shape every chapter of its growth. Her leadership style blends practical wisdom with compassion and vision. She’s focused on modernizing HR systems, going paperless, and creating a culture of transparency and shared responsibility. “Morale is everything,” she says. “We need to meet our mission and vision not just with words—but with how we treat each other, every day.”
 
“This team brings a thoughtful mix of industry insight and new ideas that will help guide our continued growth and evolution,” said Colista Matsaw, Chief Executive Officer of the Shoshone-Bannock Casino Hotel. The Shoshone-Bannock Casino Hotel is proud to be guided by individuals who bring not only experience—but heart—to the work of building an extraordinary entertainment destination in Eastern Idaho. The Shoshone-Bannock Casino Hotel looks forward to continued collaboration and steady progress in support of its long-term goals.
 
CEO,Colista Matsaw, will be available for further comments. Contact Sheldon Moss at [email protected] for further arrangements.
 
Shoshone-Bannock Casino Hotel is home to an 85 thousand-square-foot gaming operation, 156 hotel rooms, a 15,000 square-foot ballroom/event space, full-service spa, five food and beverage outlets, and High Stakes Bingo Hall.
 
The Shoshone-Bannock Tribes owns and operates three gaming properties, including the Shoshone-Bannock Casino Hotel, Sage Hill Casino and Travel Center, and Bannock Peak Casino and Truck Stop. The Economic Growth Plan continues to evolve for the health and benefit of Tribal membership and the Eastern Idaho Region.

On Tuesday, Boise City Council confirmed Mayor Lauren McLean’s appointment of City Councilmember Jimmy Hallyburton to the Capital City Development Corporation (CCDC) Board of Commissioners. Hallyburton will serve a five-year term, concluding in 2030.  

“Councilmember Hallyburton’s work towards and passion for creating a city for everyone speaks volumes to his commitment to serve Boiseans in meaningful ways,” says Mayor McLean. “I look forward to his service as a CCDC commissioner.” 

Hallyburton was elected to his first term on Boise City Council in 2019. During his first four years as a councilmember, he’s led efforts to adopt the 112-mile Pathways Masterplan, a Boise Vision Zero Plan to prevent traffic fatalities, a Pollinator Friendly Tree Resolution, and renter protections including prohibiting source of income discrimination. In 2023, he created Boise and ACHD’s first ever Traffic Fatality Review Board and played a major role in the adoption of the city’s Modern Zoning Code. 

“I’ve had the incredible opportunity to work with CCDC on a variety of transportation and public space projects during my time on Boise City Council and in the nonprofit sector,” said Hallyburton. “The work that has been accomplished has already been transformative for our community, and I am beyond excited to grow and expand my involvement. I am thankful to Mayor McLean and City Council for trusting me to continue to represent the City of Boise in this role.” 

CCDC is a public redevelopment agency that serves as a catalyst for quality private development through urban design, economic development and infrastructure investment. Commissioners are selected by the mayor and confirmed by the Boise City Council. With up to nine voting members, commissioners represent, as much as possible, the broad spectrum of people who enjoy all that Boise has to offer. 
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Boise, Idaho – Bogus Basin announced today its move toward clean energy, with the installation of seventy-one 405-Watt solar panels on the roof of the Rental Shop. The solar panels installed are projected to generate at least 32 MWh of electricity annually, covering approximately 70% of the building’s annual energy needs, or the equivalent of powering about three homes per year. This should offset approximately 10 metric tons of CO2e each year, or enough to offset nearly 800 trips to Bogus Basin.

This is not the first solar installation project at the non-profit mountain recreation area. In 2004, a group of dedicated volunteers and community members came together to light 6.2 kilometers of Nordic trails at Bogus Basin. After twenty years of service, the system was no longer viable. That’s when the vision for a new, larger, and more sustainable solar-powered lighting system began to take shape. Alan Russell, a member of the Bogus Basin Board of Directors and Senior Engineer at Clēnera, connected the organization with the Boise-based renewable energy company, which would later generously donate solar panels for the project.

Clēnera donated 210, Risen 405-W, solar panels and a 40 foot Conex Shipping container to house the solar panels, while the area prepares to install the remaining panels elsewhere on the mountain. In total, Clēnera donated over $55,000 in goods and services. 

“Partnering with Bogus Basin on this and future solar projects is exciting to me, both personally and professionally. Their dedication to improving the mountain as an accessible community resource perfectly aligns with Clēnera’s drive to make America’s solar resources accessible to homes across the country. I learned to ski at Bogus Basin and have been riding the mountain bike trails since they were built, so it is exciting to be a part of this project to make operations on the mountain more sustainable.” - Adam Pishl, Clēnera CEO and President

EGT Solar, a Boise-based solar installation company, generously donated $10,000 in labor to install seventy-one solar panels on the Rental Shop. PLATT Electric provided much of the essential electrical wiring and hardware, with additional support from Codale and CED. Sungrow, a company partnered with Clēnera, contributed the system’s inverters — critical components for converting solar energy into usable power. The project was further supported by a $10,000 grant from the Wells Fargo Foundation to assist in advancing Bogus Basin’s ongoing sustainability efforts.

“EGT Solar is honored to support Bogus Basin’s bold commitment to clean energy and sustainability.” - Rob Black, CEO of EGT Solar

Commitment to Sustainability
Bogus Basin joined the National Ski Areas Association (NSAA) Climate Challenge in 2023 and maintains a strong focus on sustainability through reductions in waste and emissions.

“We are committed to making measurable emissions reduction projects each year as well as investing in solutions to increase the mountain’s resiliency in the face of climate change.”
Nate Collins, Sustainability and Stewardship Coordinator

Previous Emissions reduction projects:
Upgraded lighting in lodges to LED lighting and added occupancy sensors
Developed a recycling and composting system for both guests and mountain operations
Added Electric Snowmobiles to our machinery fleet
Piloted a Renewable Diesel project

Resiliency Projects:
Snowmaking
Forest health projects
Native plant restoration
Sustainability At Bogus Basin

Future Solar Plans
Bogus Basin is evaluating sites for the next phase of solar development. Potential sites include the Frontier Point Nordic Center, as well as the Pioneer Lodge. The team is also evaluating standalone arrays and off-grid systems to support mountain operations. 

“What’s really cool about this, and with many of our other sustainability projects, is how there are so many community partners involved. Our hope is to continue this community-based collaborative approach for future projects and welcome other organizations and volunteers who want to partner on the next phases.” - Nate Collins, Sustainability and Stewardship Coordinator

The area invites sponsors, companies, community members, and volunteers interested in partnering on future solar or sustainability projects to contact the Sustainability and Stewardship team.

“When organizations come together with shared values and a vision for the future, real progress happens — and our team is proud to have contributed time, resources, and expertise to be a part of that change. We look forward to building on this momentum and supporting Bogus Basin’s future solar initiatives.” - Rob Black, CEO of EGT Solar

For more information, visit bogusbasin.org.

About Bogus Basin Bogus Basin Mountain Recreation Area is a 501(C)(3) organization dedicated to engaging the community to provide accessible, affordable, and fun year-round mountain recreation and education. Opened in 1942, Bogus Basin offers 2,600 acres of daytime skiable terrain and 200 acres for night skiing, seven chairlifts and three people-mover carpets, and an 800-foot tubing hill. The Nordic Center offers 37 kilometers of groomed trails for skiing and snowshoeing. Environmental education and community outreach programs, primarily youth, serve over 20,000 individuals annually. Summer activities include The Glade Runner Mountain Coaster, The Mine Shaft Challenge Course, mountain biking, events, hiking and chairlift service for hike and bike transport. Bogus Basin is located 16.5 miles north of Boise, Idaho, and operates under a special use permit with the Boise National Forest. www.bogusbasin.org