Regional Chamber Honors Mohegan Executive with Distinguished Award

Caption: 02/11/25 - Chamber of Commerce of Eastern CT team joins Mohegan Tribal Council to recognize Jeff Hamilton as Citizen of the Year.

Pictured (Left to Right): 

Anne Ogden, Member, Citizen of the Year Selection Committee; Julia Florence, Communications Manager, Chamber ECT; William Quidgeon Jr., Councilor, Mohegan Tribal Council; Denise Desrochers, Program & Events Manager, Chamber ECT; Megan Gilbert, Vice President, Chamber ECT; James Gessner Jr., Chairman, Mohegan Tribal Council; Mark Brown, Ambassador, Mohegan Tribal Council; Tony Sheridan, President, Chamber ECT; Kim Baker, Recording Secretary, Mohegan Tribal Council; Jeff Hamilton, President & General Manager, Mohegan Sun; Sarah Harris, Vice Chairwoman, Mohegan Tribal Council; Joseph Soper, Recording Secretary, Mohegan Tribal Council; Thayne Hutchins Jr, Treasurer, Mohegan Tribal Council, Kenneth Davison, Councilor, Mohegan Tribal Council

The Chamber of Commerce of Eastern Connecticut is pleased to announce Jeffrey ‘Jeff’ Hamilton, President and General Manager of Mohegan Sun, as the 74^th Annual Citizen of the Year.

Jeff, a member of the Mohegan Tribe, has over two decades of experience at Mohegan Sun. The alumnus of Seton Hall University and University of New Haven carries both a bachelor’s and master’s degree. Prior to his current position, he worked as the Assistant General Manager and in key management roles within the Advertising and Human Resource departments. As President and General Manager, Hamilton is responsible for achieving overall business objectives, driving strategic planning, and ensuring operational success while also overseeing project development, marketing and fiscal planning, technology, and visitor experience.

Chamber staff surprised Hamilton during a Tribal Council Meeting on February 11 at the Mohegan Community and Government Center with the distinction.

“It is with great honor that we (the Chamber) present Jeff with our 74 Annual Citizen of the Year award. His unwavering commitment to both the success of the Mohegan Sun and Tribe and the betterment of our community reflects the true spirit of what it means to be a leader. Today, we celebrate not only the incredible achievements of his career but also the continuous impact he will have on our region and beyond,” states Chamber of Commerce of Eastern CT President, Tony Sheridan. 

Citizen of the Year is an annual award given to an extraordinary individual for their outstanding contributions to the civic and business communities of the region. The full list of past Citizens can be found here. Most recent honorees include Mike Buscetto (Filomena's; Cactus Jack Foundation), Chief Lynn Malerba (Mohegan Tribe; Former U.S. Treasurer), and Dr. John Burkhardt (Pfizer, Retired).

Hamilton was chosen not only for his longstanding leadership at Mohegan, but for also proudly serving on the Board of Directors for the United Way of Southeastern Connecticut – where he was awarded the Chairman’s Award of Excellence for increasing Mohegan Sun employees’ participation by 23% in the 2019-20 United Way Campaign efforts. Additionally, he is an active board member of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (CT Chapter), a member of the Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) State of CT Advisory Council, and member of the State of CT Tourism Council.

Jeff notably has also spearheaded the Tribe and Sun’s mutual efforts in supporting The Governor’s Prevention Partnership, a pivotal public-private initiative established in 1989, which combats substance and alcohol abuse among state youth through generous Casino/Tribe donations and program mentorship.

“I am truly honored to be recognized by the Chamber of Commerce for Eastern CT as Citizen of the Year,” said Jeff Hamilton, President and General Manager of Mohegan Sun.

"I have been blessed to work alongside so many great people over the last 20 years that have assisted and guided me not only in my career journey at Mohegan Sun, but with work that I have been able to enjoy with many great philanthropic organizations in our community as well. I look forward to celebrating with many of those special people in May.”

A formal celebration is scheduled for Thursday, May 8, 2025, in Mohegan Sun’s Earth Ballroom, where Jeff will be honored in the company of the local business community, Council leaders, Tribal Elders, and family. Additional details to follow.

About the Chamber of Commerce of Eastern Connecticut:

We are the region’s largest network of professionals, representing over a thousand organizations spanning eastern Connecticut and beyond. Our mission is to create and maintain a positive business climate that meets the needs of our members by supporting economic development and growth in the region. For more information, visit ChamberECT.com.

About Mohegan Sun: