Mashantucket — The Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Council announced Thursday that Councilor Merrill “Marvin” Reels has been appointed council treasurer, effective immediately.

Reels, who began serving a three-year term on the council in January 2017, chairs the council’s Finance and Public Safety committees. As treasurer, he is “custodian of all funds in possession of the tribe,” according to the tribe.

“We are confident that Merrill will serve the tribe well in his new role,” Rodney Butler, the council chairman, said in a statement. “As treasurer, Merrill will help the tribe maintain financial stability while maximizing our business and economic growth opportunities.”

Reels has a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Morehouse College in Atlanta. He succeeds former Treasurer Jean Swift, who did not seek re-election to the council in last November’s tribal elections.

Reels is a nephew of Kenny Reels, a former tribal chairman.