The appointment of Bobby Soper as president of the Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority this week represents fulfillment of a long-held goal of the Mohegan Tribe to act deliberatively in moving tribal members into top administrative positions. Mr. Soper, 43, will direct the authority responsible for the tribe's various gaming operations - Mohegan Sun, Mohegan Sun Pocono in Wilkes-Barre, Pa., and the Resorts Casino Hotel in Atlantic City.

Mr. Soper will add the title chief executive officer in September when Mitchell Etess, the current top Mohegan gaming executive, completes a six-month transition period. Despite remaining popular with tribal leadership, Mr. Etess announced in November he would be departing after 19 years with the tribe, saying he was ready for a change.

When Mr. Soper got his last promotion in 2012 - named president and CEO of Mohegan Sun casino - Bruce "Two Dogs" Bozsum alluded to the tribe's long-term vision.

"This is a perfect example of what tribal gaming was intended to do. My goal has always been to have Mohegan tribal members in senior positions in our operations," said Mr. Bozsum, who at the time was tribal chairman. He remains a member of the tribal council.

The tribe has not achieved its objective by rushing tribal members into vital positions before they are ready, but instead by providing them the education, training and opportunities necessary to groom them for these leadership positions.

Indeed, on the day the tribe announced Mr. Soper's promotion, another tribal member, Ray Pineault, was named the new president and CEO of Mohegan Sun.

The Mohegan Tribe faces significant challenges to the gambling empire it has built. The opening of casinos in Massachusetts will mean a significant loss of patrons who once traveled to Mohegan Sun from the Bay State and points north. By offering diversified entertainment options, and expanding gaming operations in other states, it has already bolstered its ability to remain competitive in a crowded market.

It is fitting that administrators with deep ancestral roots in the tribe will be dealing with this changing environment. The tribe has certainly survived far worse.