The San Diego 500, The Book of Influential Business Leaders, is the market’s most comprehensive product of people you should know in the business community. The 500 includes business leaders and executives who have founded or are running significant companies in terms of number of jobs, key products and services, experts who raise the level of the industry here and beyond and those who lead in the business community. The 500 is selected by the San Diego Business Journal newsroom.

Cody J. Martinez

Chairman, Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation

Cody J. Martinez is chairman of the Sycuan Band of Kumeyaay Nation. As chairman, Martinez is responsible for strengthening the East County tribe’s business interests, including its golf resort and casino, and the historic US Grant hotel downtown, which is also owned by the tribe. Sycuan is currently working on a $226 million expansion of its hotel, casino and resort. Martinez helped create a first-in-the-nation Natural Resource Management Plan for nearly 1,500 acres of land acquired by the Sycuan Band. He is a member of the California Indian Gaming Association.

ALMA MATER: Cuyamaca College

CIVIC INVOLVEMENT: Board of Directors of San Diego Association of Governments (representing Southern California Tribal Chairmen’s Association)

BUCKET LIST: Meet the Dalai Lama.

FUN FACT: When elected in 2014 I was the youngest tribal chairman in the nation.