Business | National

Indian Country business group announces departure of top executive

Friday, August 19, 2016

Gary Davis. Photo from National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development / Facebook

The National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development is losing its top executive at the end of next month.

After four years as president and CEO of Indian Country's premiere business organization, Gary Davis will be stepping down on September 30. The Cherokee Nation citizen plans to focus on other opportunities.

"It has been an incredible honor to serve as the President and CEO of an organization dedicated to improving the lives of Native peoples across the U.S.," Davis said in a press release. "Being a part of the National Center’s growth has been a rewarding experience, and it has been a privilege to help broaden and develop economic opportunity for Indian Country."

Davis, who came to NCAIED as a successful actor, musician and business owner, said he plans to remain involved in the organization's activities. The group's next Reservation Economic Summit takes place November 14-17 at Pojoaque Pueblo in New Mexico.

"Under his leadership, the National Center has grown in both size and scope, most notably through the creation of our very successful regional RES events and increasing our presence before Congress and at key federal agencies," said Derrick Watchman, a member of the Navajo Nation who serves as chairman of the non-profit's board. "We look forward to his successor building on the strong foundation that Gary has laid in the nearly five years he’s led the National Center."