Al Geiger Memorial Award
Chairman Jesus Tarango
Chairman
Wilton Rancheria
Back to 130th Annual Dinner & Business Awards
Sacramentan of the Year
Angelo Tsakopoulos
AKT Investments, Inc.
Businessman of the Year
Michael Ault
Downtown Sacramento Partnership
Businesswoman of the Year
Matina Kolokotronis
Sacramento Kings
Entrepreneur of the Year
Lokesh Sikaria
Moneta Ventures
Al Geiger Memorial Award
Chairman Jesus Tarango
Wilton Rancheria
Small Business of the Year
Ginger Elizabeth Chocolates
Business Hall of Fame
PRIDE Industries
MetroEDGE Young Professional of the Year
Joaquin Razo
Blue Zones, LLC
Volunteer of the Year
Chelsea Carbahal
The Raley’s Companies
Volunteer of the Year
Dion Dwyer
MMS Strategies
Chairman Jesus G. Tarango Jr. hails from Sacramento, California, the traditional homeland of the Miwok and Nisenan peoples.
His leadership journey with Wilton Rancheria began in 2016 when he was elected to the Tribal Council, serving as the Council’s Spokesperson. In 2018, he was honored to be elected Vice-Chairman, and in 2024, he was re-elected for his second term as Chairman. Under his leadership, Wilton Rancheria is entering a period of historic growth and development.
A passionate advocate for the preservation and restoration of Miwok and Nisenan traditions, Chairman Tarango has been a traditional dancer and singer since his youth. He is deeply committed to empowering his community through the teachings and practices of his ancestors. His advocacy focuses on addressing critical issues affecting both his Tribe and Indian Country as a whole, including the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons (MMIP) epidemic, the protection and preservation of tribal cultural resources, educational advancement, and the advancement of tribal self-determination and sovereignty.
Chairman Tarango also plays an influential role in statewide Indigenous leadership. He serves as Chairman of the Central California Tribal Chairpersons’ Association and is the Vice-Chairman of the California Tribal Chairpersons’ Association. Additionally, he is currently a fellow in the American Leadership Forum’s Class XXVII, where he is further developing his leadership capabilities and building an expansive network of distinguished leaders.
Chairman Tarango’s service follows the distinguished legacy of his mother, Chairwoman Emeritus Mary Tarango, who was the first elected Chairperson of Wilton Rancheria and led the Tribe’s efforts to restore its federal recognition. Chairman Tarango is deeply grateful for the guidance his mother provided and is honored to continue the path she worked tirelessly to create. Before his tenure with Wilton Rancheria, Chairman Tarango gained over 20 years of management experience with a Fortune 500 company. He is a devoted husband and proud father of six children.