Mettler, Calif. – – September 28, 2026 -- The Tejon Indian Tribe and Hard Rock Casino Tejon have appointed Mike Bean as Property President, effective October 5, filling the top operational post at the California gaming venue along the I-5 corridor.
Bean arrives with three decades of tribal gaming leadership experience
Bean joins Hard Rock Casino Tejon after serving as Chief Executive Officer of Morongo Casino Resort & Spa. His resume also includes a stint as CEO of Desert Diamond Casinos & Entertainment in Arizona, alongside senior leadership roles at other major gaming and resort organizations.
Tribal chairman cites Bean's track record ahead of property's next growth phase
Octavio Escobedo III, Chairman of the Tejon Indian Tribe, said Bean's understanding of tribal gaming and his history of building strong teams and delivering operational results made him fit to guide the property through additional growth and new developments. Jeff Hook, COO of Hard Rock International, said the company looks forward to working with Bean and the Tribe as the property expands.
Bean succeeds Chris Kelley, who led the venue through its opening year
Kelley guided Hard Rock Casino Tejon through its launch and first year of operations before Bean's appointment. In his initial weeks, Bean will focus on meeting staff and learning the operation.
Property operates 150,000 square feet of gaming space near Bakersfield
Hard Rock Casino Tejon sits on Tejon Indian tribal land in Mettler, less than 15 miles south of Bakersfield and roughly 90 minutes north of Los Angeles. The venue features 2,100 slot machines, more than 60 table games, and dining outlets including Hard Rock Cafe, The Marketplace, Deep Cut Steak | Seafood and YouYu.