Tunica-Biloxi Chairman Marshall Pierite will begin a third term in his role, and is joined by one new
and one re-elected Tribal Council Member and newly-elected Secretary-Treasurer Shelbie Lyn Sampson
From left to right: Chairman Marshall Pierite, Shelbie Lyn Sampson, Bobby Pierite, Sr. and Harold Pierite, Sr.
MARKSVILLE, La. – April 7, 2026 – The Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana has announced the re-election of Marshall Pierite as Chairman in an election held April 5, 2026. Shelbie Lyn Sampson was elected Secretary-Treasurer; Incumbent Tribal Council Member Bobby Pierite, Sr., was reelected, and Harold Pierite, Sr., was newly elected as Tribal Council Member after serving the council previously.
“I am deeply grateful and honored that our Tribal citizens have placed their trust and confidence in me for a third term as Chairman,” said Tunica-Biloxi Chairman Marshall Pierite. “This responsibility is not mine alone—it reflects the hard work and dedication of our Tribal Council, our administration and the many individuals who work every day to turn our shared vision for the future into reality. Together, we remain focused on strengthening our Nation, expanding opportunities for our citizens and their families and ensuring that our progress benefits communities throughout Louisiana. As Chairman, I represent every citizen of the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe, and over the next four years I look forward to engaging more frequently with our citizens across all our communities, listening to their concerns and working together to build a stronger future for our people.”
Chairman Marshall Pierite, a proud United States Marine Corps veteran, has served the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana in multiple elected leadership roles for more than three decades, including Secretary-Treasurer, Vice Chairman and now a third term as Chairman. Throughout his tenure, he has championed initiatives that strengthen tribal governance, expand economic infrastructure and support programs that improve the quality of life for Tribal citizens. Chairman Pierite has been a strong advocate for Tribal sovereignty while fostering meaningful partnerships with federal leaders to advance shared prosperity and opportunity. In recognition of his leadership and service, he was named the Native American Finance Officers Association’s 2022 Tribal Leader of the Year. He also serves on numerous boards and currently holds the position of President of the Native American Coalition for Economic Prosperity (NACEP).
Newly elected Secretary-Treasurer Shelbie Lyn Sampson, a native of Marksville, Louisiana, is the youngest woman in the Tribe’s history to serve as Secretary/Treasurer. A Valedictorian graduate of Marksville High School, she earned a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Louisiana State University and completed the Tribal Leaders Program at Harvard Business School. She is an active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated and has served the organization in various capacities. Sampson’s professional experience includes roles with Louisiana State University, Smoothie King Headquarters and the George W. Bush Presidential Center. In her current position, she brings strong expertise in financial management, operations and strategic planning, with a leadership approach grounded in ethical standards, transparency and accountability. She is committed to fostering partnerships and supporting sustainable growth while upholding the values of her community.
Bobby Pierite, Sr., an Associate Commissioner for the Tunica-Biloxi Tribal Gaming Commission, boasts over 24 years of service, overseeing the Licensing, Inspector General and Investigation Divisions. A Marksville native, Pierite graduated from Marksville High School and attended Louisiana State University at Alexandria. Beyond his professional commitments, Pierite is deeply involved in community service, serving as the Tribal Council Liaison to the Housing Department and as a Grand Knight for the Knights of Peter Claver. His dedication extends to addressing Native American issues today, reflecting a commitment to the well-being of the community.
Harold Pierite, Sr., a native of Avoyelles Parish, has served as Chief of Police for the Tunica-Biloxi Police Department for over 20 years and has held multiple law enforcement roles since 1991. Appointed in 2017 to the Louisiana State Police Commission, he also serves on several boards and has been a long-time member of the Tunica-Biloxi Tribal Council, last serving in 2022. Known for his disciplined, by-the-book leadership, Pierite was inducted into the Louisiana Justice Hall of Fame in 2022 – the organization’s highest honor.
“Congratulations to those elected and re-elected,” said Tunica-Biloxi Vice Chairman Marshall Ray Sampson, Sr. “Service to others through dedicated, honest leadership is critical to our Tribal Council and the health and longevity of our Tribe. I am confident the 2026 Tribal Council will bring Tunica-Biloxi to unprecedented success through open ears, open hearts and open minds.”
The Tunica-Biloxi 2026 Tribal Council is completed by current Vice Chairman Marshall Ray Sampson, Sr., and Tribal Council Members Dr. Julie Zahn and James Craig, III. Tunica-Biloxi tribal citizens participate in biannual elections to select the seven-member, and four-year term Tribal Council, with the Chairman and Vice Chairman positions alternating election cycles.
To learn more about the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe, visit https://www.tunicabiloxi.org/.
About the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana
The Tunica-Biloxi people first appeared in the Mississippi Valley. In the late 1700s, they settled near south of Marksville in east-central Louisiana. Today, the Tribe has more than 1,600 members throughout the United States, primarily in Louisiana, Texas, and Illinois. The modern Tunica-Biloxi Tribe is composed of Tunica, Biloxi (a Siouan-speaking people from the Gulf coast), Ofo (also a Siouan people), Avoyel (a Natchezan people), and Choctaw. Although ancestry is typically intermixed through marriages, tribal members typically identify either as Tunica, Biloxi or Biloxi-Choctaw. The Tribe owns and operates the Paragon Casino Resort, the largest employer in Central Louisiana. For more information about the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana, visit https://www.tunicabiloxi.org/ and “like” us on Facebook.
Media Contact: Lenox Hill; lhill@tegpr.com; (504) 352-5910