Staff Reports | Business & Commerce
Gila River Development, owned by the Gila River Indian Community, recently appointed its newest general manager, Duncan Wiston.
A proud community member of the Gila River Indian Community from Blackwater – District One, Mr. Wiston began his career in the Tribal Health Department, where he contributed to various initiatives, from car seat safety to fall prevention, according to a press release.
Then, he worked at Gila River Telecommunications, Inc. for 13 years, where he held various leadership roles and worked on both the state and federal levels to provide funding to help expand tribal broadband for the Gila River Community and other tribes.
Through his connections at GRTI, Wiston crossed paths with Gila River Development (formerly known as Wild Horse Pass Development) and was intrigued by the growth and projects happening on the Wild Horse Pass footprint. He transitioned to GRD and became the assistant general manager of business operations in July 2024.
In February, he transitioned to the interim general manager role, and then officially became general manager on June 2.
He oversees a 3,300-acre master-planned development focused on commerce and leisure, and manages Gila River Business Enterprises (GRBE), Gila Gas & Goods (GGG), Gila River Outdoor (GRO), Whirlwind Golf Club, Toka Sticks Golf Club, Rawhide Western Town, Firebird Motorsports Park, Sheraton Grand at Wild Horse Pass, and Four Points by Sheraton at Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport.
Mr. Wiston’s focus at GRD is on fostering sustainable business models and driving long-term economic growth for the Community, while building essential infrastructure to support the thriving hospitality sector at Wild Horse Pass.
“As a member of the Gila River Indian Community, I know how important it is to not only make the right decisions for today, but for future generations as well,” Mr. Wiston said in a prepared statement. “It’s all about creating business models that are sustainable and can grow and create opportunities for our people – from the revenue that we generate, to the jobs and career paths we can create.”
Through his work, Mr. Wiston hopes to inspire other Community Members to achieve leadership roles like his.
“There’s a lot of moving parts and responsibilities that fall on my shoulders, but I have had the privilege of growing up with great leaders who have paved the way for me to get here,” Mr. Wiston said.
“These individuals have fought for our water rights, had the forethought to enter the gaming world and opened all the business lines you see at Wild Horse Pass. I respect and appreciate the work they’ve done and look forward to continuing their legacy and encouraging youth to aspire to be part of the continued growth of the Gila River Indian Community.”
