Ray Halbritter is the Representative of the Oneida Indian Nation and the Chief Executive Officer of Turning Stone Enterprises. The grandson of an Oneida leader and son of a nurse, he went from an impoverished community to graduating from Syracuse University and then Harvard Law School. His experience embodies the resurgence of the Oneida people under his leadership – one which has been hailed as a national model for sustainable, diversified and self-sufficient economic development.
Halbritter used his education to help his people and his community, building the first major enterprises on Oneida homelands. Under his leadership, Oneida Indian Nation became the first American Indian government in 1979 to offer gaming operations on Sovereign lands. This turning point marked the birth of what would become a thriving and diverse enterprise. Its flagship brand, Turning Stone Resort Casino, today draws more than 4.5 million visitors a year as the fifth largest tourist attraction in New York and the state’s most awarded resort.
Recognizing its role as the cornerstone of the organization and its most public face, in 2023 Halbritter evolved the parent company name from Oneida Nation Enterprises (ONE) to Turning Stone Enterprises. With it he announced a $370 million investment in Turning Stone, marking an exciting new period of growth for Turning Stone and the entire Central New York region.
Read Mr. Halbritter’s full bio to learn more about his various achievements.