The Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis’s Center for Indian Country Development Names Chris James to Leadership Council

May 23, 2018

MESA, AZ – The Center for Indian County Development (CICD) at the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis recently announced that Chris James, the President and CEO of the National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development (the National Center), has joined the CICD’s Leadership Council. The CICD assists self-governing communities of American Indians in attaining their economic development goals by focusing on key issues such as land, housing and homeownership, education, and business and entrepreneurship. Members of the Leadership Council provide guidance and advice on economic and social indicators throughout Indian Country, as well diverse perspectives on American Indian communities that are vital to the CICD’s work.

“I am very honored to be a part of the CICD’s Leadership Council, and look forward to contributing my experience and knowledge to the well-being of American Indian communities,” said James. “The Leadership Council will discuss strategies to expand homeownership opportunities, create new areas of economic development, and enhance educational opportunities for Indian Country, which are all goals shared by the National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development. I am confident that each member on this council can and will find ways to improve American Indian communities across the United States.”

Prior to being named President and CEO of the National Center in early 2017, Mr. James was the Associate Administrator at the U.S. Small Business Administration, where he also oversaw SBA’s Office of Native American Affairs, Office of Intergovernmental Affairs, and the Office of Field Operations. He was also a program manager within the U.S. Department of Treasury’s Community Development Financial Institutions Fund, working specifically on Native American CDFIs. He was previously the Associate Director for the Sequoyah Fund, the CDFI for this tribe, the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.

The CICD’S Leadership Council convenes semi-annually to discuss matters related to the CICD’s four focus areas: land, education, housing and homeownership, and business and entrepreneurship. Past Council meetings have focused on issues such as access to capital, infrastructure needs, the Land Buy-Back program, tribal economic development, and tribal sovereignty. Other members joining the Leadership Council with Mr. James include Nancy Appleby, owner of Appleby Law PLLC; Krystal Langholz, COO for First Nation Oweesta Corporation; and Dale White, the General Counsel for the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe.

About The National Center: The National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. With over 40 years of assisting American Indian Tribes and their enterprises with business and economic development – we have evolved into the largest national Indian specific business organization in the nation. Our motto is: “We Mean Business For Indian Country” as we are actively engaged in helping Tribal Nations and Native business people realize their business goals and are dedicated to putting the whole of Indian Country to work to better the lives of American Indian people- both now… and for generations to come.

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