
National Center announces 2010 class of Native American 40 Under 40
- Details
- Parent Category: News
- Category: Political Issues & Native Programs
- Published: 19 October 2010

Mesa, Arizona (ICC) October 2010
The National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development (NCAIED) has announced the recipients of the 2010 Native American 40 Under 40, who will be recognized as part of the 35th Annual Indians Progress in Business Awards Event (INPRO) on October 21, 2010 at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
The Native American 40 Under 40 recognition was incorporated last year as part of the National Centers 40th Anniversary and highlights 40 existing and emerging American Indian leaders under 40 years of age who have demonstrated leadership, initiative and dedication to achieve impressive and significant contributions in their businesses, communities and to Indian country.
We want to continue to recognize the hard work of a diverse group of young Native American leaders, said Eric S. Trevan, NCAIED President & CEO. This years elite group includes community organizers, elected officials, policy leaders, entrepreneurs and business professionals who exemplify the spirit of progress in Indian country. Trevan added.
INPRO is a multi-faceted event, which will also include the American Indian Business Opportunity Fair, a venue where Indian businesses, Corporations, Tribal Enterprises, and Government Agencies can network and have face to face meetings.
The INPRO 2010 awards banquet, presented by Raytheon, is the oldest and most prestigious Native American recognition event honoring natives and businesses that support business development across Indian country.
40 UNDER 40:
James Anderson, Choctaw/Ojibwe Vice President of Training, Lifeskills Center for Business Leaders.
Tsoiara Barrerio, St. Regis Mohawk Tribe Vice President, Ongweoweh Corporation.
Notah Begay III, Navajo/San Felipe/Isleta Founder, The Notah Begay III Foundation.
Melinda Danforth, Oneida of Wisconsin Councilmember, The Oneida Tribe of Wisconsin,
Chris Deschene, Navajo, Arizona State Legislator, State of Arizona,
Jon Duncan, Tlingit/Haida General Manager, Managed Business Solutions,
Michael Finley, Colville Chairman, Colville Tribes,
Antonia Gonzalez, Navajo National Native News Anchor/Producer, Koahnic Broadcast Corporation.
Shauna Hegna, Native Village of Afognak Vice President, Afognak Native Corporation.
Veronica Hix, Cherokee Entrepreneur Development Manager, Cherokee Nation.
Shawn Imitates-Dog, Oglala Sioux Sr. Director, Anschutz Entertainment Group.
Karl Jim, Navajo Owner, 21 Native.
W. Jacque Jones, Osage/Prairie Band of Potawatomi Administrator, Osage Nation Constituent Services Office.
Donald Del Laverdure, Crow Deputy Assistant Director of Indian Affairs, U.S. Department of Interior
Michael Laverdure, Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians Director of First American Designs, DSGW Architects
Casey Lozar, Confederate Salish & Kootenai Tribes Director of Corporate & Tribal Development, American Indian College Fund
Malonie Mathews, Santa Clara Pueblo Miss Indian World Pageant Coordinator, Gathering of Nations Limited
Mackie Moore, Cherokee Bid Assistance Coordinator, Indian Capital Technology Center
Nicole Meyers-Lim, Pomo Executive Director, California Indian Museum & Cultural Center
James Nye, Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa Owner, Nye & Associates Public Affairs
Jason M. Palmer, Match-E-B-Nash-She-Wish Band of Potawatomi Business Development Associate, Clark Construction Company
Jon Panamaroff, Sunaq Tribe of Kodiak & Konaig Project Manager, Koniag Services Inc.
Shane Parashonts, Cedar Band of Piautes President, Suhdutsing Telecom, LLC.
Brandon Polingyumptewa, Hopi Supply Chain Analyst, The Boeing Company.
Adam Proctor, UKB/Absentee, Shawnee/Muskogee Creek Account Representative, Caddo Solutions
JR Redwater, Standing Rock Sioux Entertainer/Comedian
Randi Rourke Barreiro, Mohawk Editor, Indian Country Today
Chris Samples, Eastern Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma President, Red Stone Construction
Brad Scott, Chickasaw Nation President/CEO, Cetan Corporation
Kristen Sewell-Foard, Kaw Tribe Private Business Owner
Quanah Spencer, Yakama Attorney at Law, Williams Kastner
Margaret Stevens, Oneida Nation of Wisconsin - Environmentalist/Graduate Student, University of Kansas
Jamie Stuck, Nottawaseppi Huron Band of Potawatomi (NHBP) - NHBP Tribal Council/Firekeepers Casino
Yonne Tiger, Muscogee Creek In-House Counsel, Muskogee (Creek) Nation Council
Nick Tilsen, Oglala Sioux Executive Director, Thunder Valley Community Development Corporation
Kurt Trevan, Match-E-Be-Nash-She Wish Band of Potawatomi Relationship Manager, Silicon Valley Bank
Ron Unger, Sugplaq Alutig/Koniag, Afgnak, Woody Island President/CEO, Worksmart, Inc.
Mellor Willie, Navajo Executive Director, National American Indian Housing Council
Spencer Willie, Navajo Department Manager, Navajo Nation Head Start
Michael Woestehoff, Navajo Communications Manager, New West Technologies
Presentations will also be made to the recipients of the Jay Silverheels Achievement Award, the First American Corporation Leadership award, the First American Entrepreneurship award and the American Indian Fellowship in Business Student Scholarship award.
Corporate sponsors include Avaya, Abbot, United Rentals, BAE Systems, Lockeed Martin, Northrop Grumman Corporation, Edison International, IBM and the Native American Contracting Association.
On The Net:
National Center web page: www.ncaied.org
Our mailing address is:
The National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development
953 E. Juanita Avenue
Mesa, Arizona 85204
The National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development (NCAIED) has announced the recipients of the 2010 Native American 40 Under 40, who will be recognized as part of the 35th Annual Indians Progress in Business Awards Event (INPRO) on October 21, 2010 at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
The Native American 40 Under 40 recognition was incorporated last year as part of the National Centers 40th Anniversary and highlights 40 existing and emerging American Indian leaders under 40 years of age who have demonstrated leadership, initiative and dedication to achieve impressive and significant contributions in their businesses, communities and to Indian country.
We want to continue to recognize the hard work of a diverse group of young Native American leaders, said Eric S. Trevan, NCAIED President & CEO. This years elite group includes community organizers, elected officials, policy leaders, entrepreneurs and business professionals who exemplify the spirit of progress in Indian country. Trevan added.
INPRO is a multi-faceted event, which will also include the American Indian Business Opportunity Fair, a venue where Indian businesses, Corporations, Tribal Enterprises, and Government Agencies can network and have face to face meetings.
The INPRO 2010 awards banquet, presented by Raytheon, is the oldest and most prestigious Native American recognition event honoring natives and businesses that support business development across Indian country.
40 UNDER 40:
James Anderson, Choctaw/Ojibwe Vice President of Training, Lifeskills Center for Business Leaders.
Tsoiara Barrerio, St. Regis Mohawk Tribe Vice President, Ongweoweh Corporation.
Notah Begay III, Navajo/San Felipe/Isleta Founder, The Notah Begay III Foundation.
Melinda Danforth, Oneida of Wisconsin Councilmember, The Oneida Tribe of Wisconsin,
Chris Deschene, Navajo, Arizona State Legislator, State of Arizona,
Jon Duncan, Tlingit/Haida General Manager, Managed Business Solutions,
Michael Finley, Colville Chairman, Colville Tribes,
Antonia Gonzalez, Navajo National Native News Anchor/Producer, Koahnic Broadcast Corporation.
Shauna Hegna, Native Village of Afognak Vice President, Afognak Native Corporation.
Veronica Hix, Cherokee Entrepreneur Development Manager, Cherokee Nation.
Shawn Imitates-Dog, Oglala Sioux Sr. Director, Anschutz Entertainment Group.
Karl Jim, Navajo Owner, 21 Native.
W. Jacque Jones, Osage/Prairie Band of Potawatomi Administrator, Osage Nation Constituent Services Office.
Donald Del Laverdure, Crow Deputy Assistant Director of Indian Affairs, U.S. Department of Interior
Michael Laverdure, Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians Director of First American Designs, DSGW Architects
Casey Lozar, Confederate Salish & Kootenai Tribes Director of Corporate & Tribal Development, American Indian College Fund
Malonie Mathews, Santa Clara Pueblo Miss Indian World Pageant Coordinator, Gathering of Nations Limited
Mackie Moore, Cherokee Bid Assistance Coordinator, Indian Capital Technology Center
Nicole Meyers-Lim, Pomo Executive Director, California Indian Museum & Cultural Center
James Nye, Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa Owner, Nye & Associates Public Affairs
Jason M. Palmer, Match-E-B-Nash-She-Wish Band of Potawatomi Business Development Associate, Clark Construction Company
Jon Panamaroff, Sunaq Tribe of Kodiak & Konaig Project Manager, Koniag Services Inc.
Shane Parashonts, Cedar Band of Piautes President, Suhdutsing Telecom, LLC.
Brandon Polingyumptewa, Hopi Supply Chain Analyst, The Boeing Company.
Adam Proctor, UKB/Absentee, Shawnee/Muskogee Creek Account Representative, Caddo Solutions
JR Redwater, Standing Rock Sioux Entertainer/Comedian
Chris Samples, Eastern Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma President, Red Stone Construction
Brad Scott, Chickasaw Nation President/CEO, Cetan Corporation
Kristen Sewell-Foard, Kaw Tribe Private Business Owner
Quanah Spencer, Yakama Attorney at Law, Williams Kastner
Margaret Stevens, Oneida Nation of Wisconsin - Environmentalist/Graduate Student, University of Kansas
Jamie Stuck, Nottawaseppi Huron Band of Potawatomi (NHBP) - NHBP Tribal Council/Firekeepers Casino
Yonne Tiger, Muscogee Creek In-House Counsel, Muskogee (Creek) Nation Council
Nick Tilsen, Oglala Sioux Executive Director, Thunder Valley Community Development Corporation
Kurt Trevan, Match-E-Be-Nash-She Wish Band of Potawatomi Relationship Manager, Silicon Valley Bank
Ron Unger, Sugplaq Alutig/Koniag, Afgnak, Woody Island President/CEO, Worksmart, Inc.
Mellor Willie, Navajo Executive Director, National American Indian Housing Council
Spencer Willie, Navajo Department Manager, Navajo Nation Head Start
Michael Woestehoff, Navajo Communications Manager, New West Technologies
Presentations will also be made to the recipients of the Jay Silverheels Achievement Award, the First American Corporation Leadership award, the First American Entrepreneurship award and the American Indian Fellowship in Business Student Scholarship award.
Corporate sponsors include Avaya, Abbot, United Rentals, BAE Systems, Lockeed Martin, Northrop Grumman Corporation, Edison International, IBM and the Native American Contracting Association.
On The Net:
National Center web page: www.ncaied.org
Our mailing address is:
The National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development
953 E. Juanita Avenue
Mesa, Arizona 85204