Native Business Network

October Luncheon Announcement

October 1, 2008

Speaker- Neal McCaleb
Chairman of the Board of Directors - Chickasaw Nation Industries, Inc

Neal McCaleb is a Civil Engineer, having graduated from Oklahoma A&M College ( Oklahoma State University) in 1957. He was in the private practice of engineering and real estate development for 35 years. He has also spent 20 years in public service including eight years in the State Legislature. During his tenure in the House of Representatives he served four years as the Republican floor Leader.

McCaleb was appointed the first Secretary of Transportation by Governor Bellmon serving four years in the dual role of Director of the Oklahoma Department of Transportation. He was instrumental in the commencement of the Urban Turnpikes in Oklahoma City and Tulsa as well as the Cherokee and Chickasaw Turnpikes in eastern rural Oklahoma. He was subsequently reappointed as Secretary of Transportation by Governor Keating and served six and one half years as Director of both the ODOT and the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority. During this period he led the completion of the John Kilpatrick and Creek Turnpikes in Oklahoma City and Tulsa. He led the largest highway construction program in the states history under Gov. Keating.

McCaleb is an enrolled member of the Chickasaw Nation and was appointed by President Bush to lead the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) as Assistant Secretary of the Interior in 2001. He led the reorganization of the BIA to make a more responsive and effective Trustee organization for Native American interests in the management of 56 million acres of Indian Trust Land.

He has served the Chickasaw Nation since 2003 as an advisor to Gov. Bill Anoatubby to assist the Chickasaw Nation in the development of long term economic strategies in its Commerce Division. Neal also serves on the Board of Directors of Bank 2 which is wholly owned by the Chickasaw Nation. He currently serves as Chairman of the Board of Directors of “Chickasaw Nation Industries, inc.” which employs over 2,000 technical and administrative personnel.

Other areas of public service include:

• Oklahoma Indian Affairs Commission- ‘67 to ‘72 appointed by Gov. Bartlett
• National Council on Indian Opportunity ‘72 to ‘74 appointed by Pres. Nixon
• Presidents Commission on Indian Reservation Economies ‘83 to ‘84 appointed by Pres. Regan
• Oklahomans for Indian Opportunity ‘66 to ‘67 vice-president
• Board of Regents University of Arts & Sciences of Oklahoma ’05 to present appointed by Gov. Henry
• Oklahoma Transportation Center- Interim Executive Director- ’06 to‘08
• Advisory Board for “Community Development Finance Institutions” for the US Department of the Treasury appointed by President Bush ‘08

Neal has been married to Georgann McCaleb for 53 years and they have four grown children and thirteen grand-children.

July Luncheon Recap

July 31, 2008

Shawn Brown, Ladies Who Launch

July was another wonderfully attended and received luncheon. With a small hiccup in the beginning setting up more tables and seating (always be sure and RSVP) for the overflow crowd, the luncheon began with an exciting buzz. The crowd received Shawn Brown warmly, as she spoke of her journey with Ladies Who Launch and on overcoming a recession period. In the spirit of Shawn’s attendance, NBN highlighted women owned-businesses who are members of NBN and women who are representing large companies that are members of NBN. The networking before, during and after the luncheon was intense.

Shawn Brown’s talk at the NBN luncheon made such an impact it was the subject of an article in the Tulsa World. This is the second time the NBN monthly luncheon has been highlighted in the Tulsa World this year. The first being when Muscogee Creek Principal Chief A.D. Ellis visited NBN. However, the newspaper was not the only place the July luncheon was mentioned, the luncheon was also highlighted in The Greater Tulsa Hispanic Chamber of Commerce’s monthly newsletter. The Hispanic Chamber had Executive Director Francisco Trevino and Executive Assistant Juan Miret in attendance.

NBN also thanks our July monthly luncheon sponsor-Seed Technologies

Businesses and organizations represented during the July monthly luncheon were:
Adminone LLC, American Airlines, AmericanChecked , Block Business Solutions LLC, Buffalo Hills Golf and Restaurant, Cherokee Casino, Cherokee Nation Business Development, Cherokee Pump Consultants, City of Tulsa, Connections, Inc, Community Care College, Cox Media, Crowne Plaza Oklahoma City, Doubletree Hotel Tulsa Downtown, Efurd Technologies, Engage Life Success Coaching, First Call, Global Product Sourcing, Ideal Land Development, LLC, Koweta Designs, Manhattan Construction, NIMI, Oklahoma State Department of Education, OKNABEC, OneOK, OSBDC, Rural Enterprises Institute, Sam’s Club, SBA, Seed Technologies, Sendout Cards, Sonitrol, The Fulfillment Place, The Greater Tulsa Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, TK Wolf, Tulsa World, US Department of Interior, Vacations R Us

May Luncheon Recap

May 29, 2008

Al Chapa, Postal Inspector
US Postal Inspection Service

The May luncheon had an exciting speaker in Postal Inspector Al Chapa. Inspector Chapa had amazing stories from his career that captivated the audience. Additionally, using actual confiscated materials from investigations he brought home how prolific identity theft and forgery has become. There were very sobering statements made during his talk, including that identity theft is not a question of if but when. Also, programs for identity theft are not sure inoculation either, stating that the much advertised CEO of LifeLock (who flaunts his Social Security Number with billboards) was a victim of Identity Theft and called the US Postal Inspection Services for help. During the Question and Answer period there was a long discussion on prevention measures that are or could be put in place by legislation and corporate initiatives. Everyone left with a sense that so much more could and needed to be said about forgery and identity theft.

Businesses represented at the April luncheon:
Muscogee Nation Communications Department, Oklahoma Black Chamber of Commerce, National Indian Monument Institute, Cherokee Casino, Gilbreath’s, Minority Humanitarian Foundation, XRIOT.BIZ, Global Solutions, Doubletree Hotel - Downtown, Oklahoma Insurance Commission, TK Wolf, Que Buena Radio, Cherokee Tribal Employment Rights Office

April Luncheon Recap

April 24, 2008

Dr. Jerry Bread, Native American Studies
University of Oklahoma

The April luncheon was honored to have Dr. Jerry Bread present a passionate talk for the monthly luncheon. Comments afterward ranged from “real” to “needed to be said,” and every one desired for Dr. Bread to return in the future. Attendees were challenged to assist Native American Studies students with internships and the program with long-term support.  Changes and perspectives in Native American Studies were discussed also. Successes of the program were evident with students of OU in attendance. The University of Oklahoma Native American Studies Program also provided a number of door prizes.

Businesses represented at the April luncheon:
Ideal Land Development, Cherokee Casino, Minority Humanitarian Foundation, XRIOT.BIZ, Muscogee Nation Communications Department, ONEOK, National Indian Monument Institute, Indian Health Care Resource Center, Engage Life Success Coaching, Kingdom Alarms, Global Solutions, Aflac, Jones Law Office, Labor Concepts, Royal Electric, Aflac, Legal Advocates for Indian Country, MetLife, Business Development Associates, Inc., New Frontier Hospice, Cherokee Small Business Assistance Center, Entrepot, RPL Management Resources, Cox Radio/KRMG, Little Rock Electrical Contractors, AmericanChecked, WestStar Mortgage

March Luncheon Recap

March 27, 2008

Principal Chief A.D. Ellis
Muscogee (Creek) Nation

The March luncheon was honored to have Principal Chief A.D. Ellis present for the monthly luncheon. Delivering a tremendous, straightforward talk about his time as Principal Chief and the future, insight and inspiration was provided to all. Speaking to one of the largest attendances in a year, all were appreciative they made the effort to attend. The press came out and Chief Ellis’s talk was covered by radio and newspaper. Tulsa World article available here. T.K. Wolf, Muscogee Creek Nation-Principal Chief’s Office, Aflac, Bob Hurley Ford, and Sam’s Club provided door prizes.

Special thank you goes to our March Sponsor Engage Life Success Coaching.

Businesses represented at the March luncheon:
Bob Hurley Ford, Ideal Land Development, TEACO Group, Efrud Technical Communications, Minority Humanitarian Foundation, XRIOT.BIZ, York Electronic Systems, John Slater Insurance, Oklahoma Native American Business Enterprise Center, Neighbor Newspapers, Sivadon Real Estate Services, Indian Health Care Resource Center, Engage Life Success Coaching, Kingdom Alarms, Buffalo Hills Golf Club, Aflac, Jones Law Office, Labor Concepts, McIntosh Creative Services, Muskogee (Creek) Nation Employment & Training, Oklahoma Insurance Department, Sam’s Club, Spirit Aero Systems, United American Insurance Company, Duke’s Office Supply, Sivadon Real Estate Services, Creek Nation Casino