BLUE LAKE, CA – Blue Lake Casino Hotel has named Michelle Gomes Manager of Blue Lake Fuel & Fun, the gas station and convenience store located on the Blue Lake Rancheria.
Gomes brings more than 20 years of retail operations experience, including team leadership, inventory control and sales growth. Her background includes food and beverage, corporate retail, sporting goods and outdoor retail, and she and her family have lived in the Humboldt community for the past decade.
Gomes describes her management approach as servant leadership. “It’s important to be supportive of the team around you. It’s a community thing, where they support you,” said Gomes. “So just being there for them, working with them, sometimes maybe leading from the back and letting them lead me.”
Although her background is in retail rather than fuel stations, Gomes plans to learn each part of the operation alongside her team while exploring merchandising and other opportunities to improve the customer experience.
“I want them to feel that when they shop here, they’re getting the best bang for their buck,” Gomes said. “A lot of people come for the gas prices, but I also want them to see a variety of products that are affordable, and a friendly environment where they can have fun and interact with the staff.”
Gomes said the Tribe’s involvement in the surrounding community was also part of what attracted her to Blue Lake Casino Hotel.
“I feel like I’m a part of something bigger here,” she said. “It’s very interesting to me what the tribe does in the community, and I enjoy being part of that and getting to know more about what they do. There are a lot of cool things they’re doing here.”
