The Eastern Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma’s business committee Wednesday announced a new leadership team for Eastern Shawnee Companies. The announcement is as part of ESTO’s strategic plan to launch ESC into the federal 8(a) program.
Provided by the U.S. Small Business Association, the 8(a) is a nine-year program created to help firms owned and controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals and groups.
“Positioning the Eastern Shawnee Companies to engage in the government-contracting arena and to eventually participate in the Small Business Administration’s 8(a) Business Development Program is a significant milestone for the Tribe,” said ESTO Treasurer Justin Barrett in a statement. “This initiative will help further diversify the Tribe’s business portfolio which, in the long term, will strengthen our economy, assist in developing employment opportunities, and enhance relationships with other tribes.”
The new leadership team includes:
- Matt Metcalf, CEO
- Judy Reagan, Chief Operating Officer
- Katie Summy, Director of Strategic Initiatives
- Kerry Patterson, Director of Marketing and Communications
“It is truly an honor to be named the CEO of the Eastern Shawnee Companies,” Metcalf said. “I am committed to working closely with the Board of Directors and the Business Committee to establish a substantial and sustainable government-contracting business to assist with the diversification and expansion of revenue streams for the Tribe. We intend to leverage the Small Business Administration’s 8(a) Business Development Program to help fast track the development of the business. The 8(a) program can be a meaningful component of the economic development plan for Tribes.”
The ESC team has 50 years of combined experience in 8(a) development and more than 100 years of combined experience in the federal market. Team members have experience in government contracting and 8(a) participation, with backgrounds in accounting, human resources, marketing, business development, legal entity management, and SBA compliance.
“The 8(a) program can be a significant and sustainable component of the economic development plan for tribes,” said ESC Board Chair Audrey Gardner. “The approach to bring on a team of proven professionals with extensive federal 8(a) experience to build and fast-track the 8(a) application, as well as develop the infrastructure to execute work in the federal marketing, is an investment that we take very seriously. We are excited to put their experience to work for the Eastern Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma.”
