Cherokee Nation honors certified Indian-owned businesses of 2023

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(L-R): Express Vending of Muskogee received the Certified Indian Owned Business Customer Service Award. Pictured: Deputy Chief Bryan Warner, Jenna Gonzales of Express Vending, Council Speaker Mike Shambaugh and TERO Construction Services Manager Larry Vance.

 

CATOOSA, Okla. — The Cherokee Nation honored hundreds of Native-owned businesses during the tribe’s 16th annual TERO Certified Indian Owned Business Awards Banquet Tuesday, Dec. 5.

The Cherokee Nation Tribal Employment Rights Office (TERO) has 733 Indian-owned companies and 180 artists that are TERO-certified vendors able to do business with the tribe and compete for government contracting jobs. In fiscal year 2023, TERO vendors earned more than $250 million in contracts with the tribe.

During the banquet, the tribe also honored eight standout TERO businesses with awards.

“We are currently in one of the largest booms of capital projects we’ve seen in some time in the Cherokee Nation,” Deputy Chief Bryan Warner said. “Without these TERO vendors, the tribe couldn’t make the incredible progress and growth that we have made and continue to make. These Native-owned businesses, many of which are located on the Cherokee Nation Reservation, are such a blessing in aiding the development for us to be better every day.”

This year marks 40 years since the Council of the Cherokee Nation unanimously passed a resolution to endorse and approve the formation of Cherokee Nation TERO.

“It’s an honor to get to celebrate all of these hard-working Native-owned businesses,” Speaker of the Council Mike Shambaugh said. “All of their hard work contributes to the overall well-being of the tribe.”

Eight of the tribe’s TERO-certified businesses received special recognition for their outstanding performance as part of the annual awards banquet.

D & E Construction & Concrete of Spavinaw received the Certified Indian Owned Business Community Leadership Award. D & E Construction & Concrete has been a TERO vendor for more than 15 years and has since completed hundreds of projects for the Cherokee Nation.

“We highly appreciate winning this award,” David Crawford of D & E Construction & Concrete said. “It feels like we’re part of the family.”

  • TERO 2023 1

    (L-R): Express Vending of Muskogee received the Certified Indian Owned Business Customer Service Award. Pictured: Deputy Chief Bryan Warner, Jenna Gonzales of Express Vending, Council Speaker Mike Shambaugh and TERO Construction Services Manager Larry Vance.

  • TERO 2023 2

    (L-R): Eric Rill Construction, LLC of Stilwell received the Certified Indian Owned Construction Company of the Year. Pictured: Chief of Staff Corey Bunch, TERO Construction Services Manager Larry Vance, Councilor Codey Poindexter, Deputy Chief Bryan Warner, Eric Rill with Eric Rill Construction LLC, Deputy Secretary of State Canaan Duncan, and Deputy Secretary of State Taralee Montgomery.

  • TERO 2023 3

    (L-R): D & E Construction & Concrete of Spavinaw received the Certified Indian Owned Business Community Leadership Award. Pictured: Councilor Danny Callison, Deputy Chief Bryan Warner, David Crawford of D & E Construction & Concrete, TERO Construction Services Manager Larry Vance and Council Speaker Mike Shambaugh.

  • TERO 2023 4

    (L-R): Direct 2 Completion LLC of Tulsa was awarded the Certified Indian Owned Consulting Firm of the Year. Pictured: Anthony Reiss with Direct 2 Completion, Deputy Chief Bryan Warner, W.C. Gernandt with Direct 2 Completion, Chris Reiss with Direct 2 Completion, Councilor Joe Deere, Council Speaker Mike Shambaugh, Councilor Johnny Jack Kidwell and TERO Construction Services Manager Larry Vance.

  • TERO 2023 5

    (L-R): The Peters Agency of Sallisaw received the Certified Indian Woman Owned Business of the Year. Pictured: TERO Construction Services Manager Larry Vance, Deputy Chief Bryan Warner, Trudy Peters with Peters Agency, Tiffany Lewis with Peters Agency, Keith Mings with Peters Agency, Deputy Secretary of State Canaan Duncan, and Deputy Secretary of the State Taralee Montgomery.

  • TERO 2023 6

    (L-R): Arnold Electric, Inc. received the Small Certified Indian Owned Business of the Year. Pictured: Councilor Johnny Jack Kidwell, Deputy Chief Bryan Warner, Amy Victory with Arnold Electric, Inc., Deputy Secretary of State Canaan Duncan, TERO Construction Services Manager Larry Vance, Councilor Joe Deere, and Deputy Secretary of State Taralee Montgomery.

  • TERO 2023 7

    (L-R): Flower & Balloon Magic of Westville received the Certified Indian Owned Retail Business of the Year. Pictured: Councilor Codey Poindexter, Deputy Chief Bryan Warner, Trina Burdge with Flower & Balloon Magic, Deputy Secretary of State Canaan Duncan, TERO Construction Services Manager Larry Vance and Deputy Secretary of State Taralee Montgomery.

  • TERO 2023 8

    (L-R): Pryor Waste & Recycling of Pryor received the Large Certified Indian Owned Business of the Year. Pictured: TERO Construction Services Manager Larry Vance, Councilor Danny Callison, Deputy Chief Bryan Warner, Bill Dinsmore with Pryor Waste & Recycling, Council Speaker Mike Shambaugh, Deputy Secretary of State Canaan Duncan and Deputy Secretary of State Taralee Montgomery.

  • TERO 2023 9

    (L-R): Natural Evolution was awarded with a special Spirit of Sustainability Award for the Tulsa-based company’s work in providing electronics recycling services.

    Pictured: Secretary of Natural Resources Christina Justice, Traci Phillips of Natural Evolution and Deputy Chief Bryan Warner.

The eight certified Indian-owned businesses awarded for 2023 are as follows:

  • Certified Indian-Owned Consulting Firm of the Year: Direct 2 Completion, LLC., Tulsa
  • Certified Indian Owned Business Community Leadership Award: D & E Construction & Concrete, Spavinaw
  • Certified Indian Owned Business Customer Service Award: Express Vending, Muskogee
  • Certified Indian Owned Retail Business of the Year: Flower & Balloon Magic, Westville
  • Certified Indian Woman-Owned Business of the Year: Peters Agency, Sallisaw
  • Small Certified Indian Owned Business of the Year: Arnold Electric, Inc., Tulsa
  • Large Certified Indian Owned Business of the Year: Pryor Waste & Recycling, Pryor
  • Certified Indian Owned Construction Company of the Year: Eric Rill Construction, LLC., Stilwell

During the banquet, Cherokee Nation Secretary of Natural Resources Christina Justice also honored Natural Evolution with a special Spirit of Sustainability Award for the Tulsa-based company’s work in providing electronics recycling services.