Leadership & Service

Built on service, responsibility, and steady leadership.

This page brings together James De La Rosa’s service record, leadership profile, and commitment to District 5 in one place.

Campaign photo

Profile summary

James De La Rosa serves as District 5 Representative and in multiple leadership roles tied to economic development, enterprise oversight, infrastructure, and community progress. His service reflects a commitment to follow-through, accountability, and building lasting opportunity for the people of District 5 and the Gila River Indian Community.

  • District 5 Representative
  • Chairman, Economic Development Standing Committee
  • Member, Legislative Standing Committee
  • Chairman, Gila River Indian Community Utility Authority
  • Chairman, Gila River Development
  • President, Pima Leasing & Financing Corporation
  • Vice Chairman, Interim Oversight Planning Committee
Boards, Committees & Service

Service across the Community

Committees and teams

  • EDSC
  • EDOSC
  • LSC
  • HOT Team
  • IOPC
  • AX-XIIL
  • Executive Committee
  • Infrastructure Committee
  • Reviewing Committee
  • Right of Way Committee
  • Litigation Committee

Oversight and ownership roles

  • PLFC
  • GRICUA
  • GRTI
  • Gila River Development / WHPDA
  • Sun Valley Marina Board
  • Sand and Gravel
  • Casa Blanca School Owners Team
  • Police Department Construction Owners Team
  • Memorial Airfield Owners Team
Timeline

Service milestones

2020

Began serving as District 5 Council Representative - First Term

2020

Wild Horse Pass broke ground on a $143 million expansion in Chandler, AZ, featuring a new 11-story "Sunrise" tower with 205 rooms

2020

Casa Blanca School Owners Team (Member) - Groundbreaking for the new, state-of-the-art Casa Blanca Community School a $45 million project

2021

Began serving as Chairman of the Economic Development Standing Committee and helped advance work tied to economic growth, entity collaboration, and long-range development opportunity.

2021

Casa Blanca School Owners Team (Member) - New “State-of-the-Art” Casa Blanca Community School Completes Construction Utilizing Innovative 105L Leasing Program

2021

Casino Expansion Owners Team (Member) - The Gila River Indian Community broke ground on the $180-million Santan Mountain Casino, Located near Chandler, AZ.

2022

Began serving as Chairman of Gila River Development and helped advance work tied to destination assets, economic growth, and long-range development opportunity.

2022

Casino Expansion Owners Team (Member) - Completed the expansion of the Gila River's Wild Horse Pass Hotel & Casino in Chandler, a $143 million project.

2022

Advocated and helped guide the transition of the Casa Blanca post office to its current standalone space

2022

Gila River Arts and Crafts Building Demolished for Future Community Development.

2023

Re-Elected as District 5 Council Representative - Second Term

2023

Began serving as Chairman of the Gila River Indian Community Utility Authority, supporting oversight connected to infrastructure, energy, and utility progress.

2023

Casino Expansion Owners Team (Member) - Completion of Gila River Resorts & Casinos Fourth Casino San Tan Mountain, A $180 million project

2023

Official groundbreaking for the New Sacaton Market

2024

Creation of The Economic Development Opportunity Standing Committee (EDOSC) - To Spur Economic Development Outside the Community's Borders.

2024

Secured Pre-Development Funding for The Arts and Crafts Re-Vitalization

2024

NHRA, Firebird Motorsports Park, and the Gila River Indian Community announced a multi-year extension to keep the Arizona Nationals at the Historic Firebird dragstrip.

2024

Transitioning the Wild Horse Pass Development Authority into Gila River Development (GRD), Gila River Outdoors (GRO), Gila, Gas, Goods (Triple GGG), FireBird MotorSport Park. to more clearly reflect our brand and image.

2025

The Gila River Indian Community (GRIC) Fuel Tax Exemption Program begins, a pilot program for the State of Arizona that allows eligible tribal members to receive an immediate $0.18 per gallon discount on gasoline purchases at participating stations within the Community.

2025

LPGA - The Ford Championship professional golf tournament held at Whirlwind Golf Club

2025

GRICUA officially begins to receive 20 MW's of power from the Box Canyon Solar Project.

2025

Ground Breaking for the Olas S-thoñ Solar Project a historic, trailblazing initiative the first utility-scale solar development located directly within the Gila River Indian Community (GRIC). Developed by the Gila River Indian Community Utility Authority (GRICUA)

2025

The Grand Opening of the New Sacaton Market, bringing new services and food options to The Members of The Community.

2025

Implementation of The Community's First Targeted Economic Development Plan

2025

The Creation of a Boys and Girls Club Satellite site in District 5

2026

Chandler Ostrich Festival relocates for the first time in two decades to RawHide at Wild Horse Pass.

2026

The official Gila River Indian Community specialty license plate is released through the Arizona Department of Transportation

Current Service

Continues serving on Council and across key boards, committees, and oversight bodies focused on community benefits, economic development, infrastructure, and long-term opportunity.