3rd Annual Tribal Economic Outlook Conference
The 3rd Annual Tribal Economic Outlook Conference held Thursday, April 13, 2017, previewed the conditions that impact business, the economy, and your wallet in the year ahead. Experts predicted economic conditions for 2017 at the tribal, state, and local level.
Distinguished guests and past economic outlook conferences at NAU
Our 2017 keynote speaker:
Arlan D. Melendez
Chairman of the Reno-Sparks Indian Colony
Arlan D. Melendez is the Chairman of the Reno-Sparks Indian Colony, a federally recognized Tribal Government representing 1,134 Paiute, Shoshone and Washoe tribal members located in Reno, Nev. Chairman Melendez, a Paiute Indian, was first elected to the Tribal Council in 1989 and has served on the Tribal Council for 29 years, twenty-five years as Chairman. Under Chairman Melendez’s leadership, the Reno-Sparks Indian Colony has maintained a stable Tribal government which is essential to self-determination and economic development.
Panelists Accordion Closed
Wells Fargo – The Private Bank
Sean McCarthy, CFA, Kimberly Ryan, CFA, and Claire Veuthey
2016 Tribal Economic Outlook Conference Accordion Closed
Our 2016 keynote speaker:
Jonodev Osceola Chaudhuri
Chair of the National Indian Gaming Commission (NIGC)
Jonodev Osceola Chaudhuri (Muscogee (Creek)) is chair of the NIGC, the primary federal agency responsible for regulating and ensuring the integrity of the $28 billion Indian gaming industry, consisting of more than 450 Indian gaming facilities, associated with nearly 242 tribes across 28 states. Chair Chaudhuri brings to the NIGC extensive policy, legal, and judicial experience and a lifelong commitment to serving the Native American community.
Topics & panelists:
Indigenous Nation – Building
Manley A. Begay, Jr. (Dine’), NAU AIS Professor
Tribal Economic Development
Levi Esquerra (Chemehuevi), CAIED Director
Chemehuevi Economic Development
Chairman Charles Wood, Chemehuevi Tribe
2015 Tribal Economic Outlook Conference Accordion Closed
Keynote speaker:
“Famous” Dave Anderson, America’s Rib King
Visionary – Entrepreneur – Speaker – Author
America’s Rib King Dave Anderson (Courte Oreilles Lake Superior Band of Ojibwe) is best known as “Famous Dave” founder of Famous Dave’s of America, with over 180 restaurants, $500 million in sales, and nearly 800 Best in Class awards. Dave has helped found several publicly traded companies on Wall Street, creating over 20,000 new jobs and billions in sales.
Dave received a prestigious Presidential Appointment, which required a full Senate confirmation serving as Assistant Secretary for The US Department of Interior in in the Bureau of Indian Affairs in Washington, D.C. Mr. Anderson has served several governors in advisory positions regarding community economic development and small business.
Dave’s life story has been featured in two best-selling books on the New York Times Best Seller’s List. In Dave’s own life, he has experienced adversity, frustration, and bankruptcy as well as tremendous success.
A highly successful entrepreneur, Dave was in the bottom half of his high school class, but earned his Master’s Degree from Harvard University without an undergraduate degree and received an Honorary Doctorate Degree for his life’s work.
Dave believes his higher purpose in life is to make a positive difference in the lives of others. This moved him to create the LifeSkills Center for Leadership Foundation, an incredible life-transforming leadership program designed to help at-risk native youth. Dave’s work with native youth was recognized by The Oprah Winfrey Show where they awarded Dave with Oprah’s Angel Award.
2015 Tribal Tourism Outlook
Cheryl Cothran
Director
ABBOC: Arizona Hospitality Research & Resource Center
Tribal Economic Impact in the State of Arizona
Jeffrey Peterson, MBA
Research Associate
ABBOC: Arizona Rural Policy Institute
Tribal Leader Discussion on Tribal Economy