PRESS RELEASE: TWO HIGH LEVEL SEMINOLE HARD ROCK EXECUTIVES KILLED IN PLANE CRASH

The Seminole Tribe of Florida and Seminole Gaming are deeply saddened to announce the passing of two key executives of the organization in the crash of a private plane near Pavo, Ga., just before noon on Thursday, August 27, 2009. A search coordinated by the U.S. Air Force Rescue Coordination Center and involving the Brooks County (Georgia) Sheriff’s Office resulted in identification of wreckage from the plane about midday today.

The two individuals on board were pilot Robert F. Moreland, Miramar, DOB 7/18/47, Vice President of Information Technology Operations, and passenger Michael Villanueva, Boca Raton, DOB: 1/30/65, Director of Facility Coordination. Bob and Mike were on a flight from Montgomery, Ala., to North Perry Airport in Hollywood, Fla., following a meeting with a business vendor in Montgomery. They departed Montgomery Regional Airport about 10 a.m. Thursday, after fueling the airplane. They were scheduled to arrive in Hollywood about 2 p.m. Owned by Moreland, the plane is a single-engine Trinidad TB-20 manufactured in 2004 in France by SOCATA and is current on all required maintenance.

“These two individuals have made huge contributions to Seminole Gaming and our hearts go out to their families,” said James Allen, CEO of Seminole Gaming. "Along with his IT team members, Bob created the information technology network for Seminole Gaming. Mike played a huge role in the design and construction of the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood, as well as with the expansions of our casinos in Tampa, Coconut Creek and Immokalee. They were among the first employees hired by Seminole Gaming, and they will both be sorely missed."

"Much of the success of the Seminole Tribe is due to the hard work of Bob Moreland and Mike Villanueva," said Seminole Tribe Chairman Mitchell Cypress. "On behalf of all the Seminoles, I want to acknowledge everything they've done and to extend our deepest sympathies to their family and friends."

Seminole Gaming has reached out to family members and is providing grief counselors for employees.

The National Transportation Safety Board is undertaking the accident investigation.

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UPDATE--- 4:55pm 8/28/09

A small plane crash in Brooks County claims the lives of two Florida men.

The Brooks County Sheriff's Office says the pilot and his passenger were traveling from Montgomery, Alabama to South Florida when their small plane crashed into a thick wooded area just after midnight last night.

After hours of searching, the Georgia State Patrol finally found the plane near Pavo, between Tillman Road and Highway 122.

At this time, the victims' names are not being released as the Federal Aviation Administration continues to investigate.

UPDATE--- 3:25pm 8/28/09

Pavo, Georgia---Authorities say a small plane crashed late Thursday night, killing two men--a pilot and his passenger.

The Brooks County Sheriff's Office says the two men from South Florida crashed into a thick wooded area in northern Brooks County.

At this time, authorities are not releasing much information. As soon as more details become available, we will update you.

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A search is underway in the woods of Brooks County, Georgia for a plane that might have crashed Thursday night.

An airplane recovery group called the Brooks County Sheriff's Office just after midnight saying it believed a small plane had gone down near Pavo.

The sheriff's office has searchers in the woods right now trying to locate the site of the crash.

Authorities believe this is not a bogus report because the Civil Air Patrol also called to report the possible crash.

The plane in question is a small one and it's not known how many people might have been on board.

The search effort is being hampered by heavy rain.