National Native American Supplier Council

Joe Boomgaard with Crain's Grand Rapids Business recently interviewed our Executive Director Jason Palmer and Board Secretary Monica King. The article highlights the growth our nonprofit has achieved over the past year. Our efforts have focused on educating corporate America on the need for a minority business enterprise certification that includes tribally owned and tribal economic development corporation owned companies. The National Native American Supplier Council (NNASC) is dedicated to serving as the premier certifying body for all tribally and indigenous owned businesses. Our mission is to empower our certified businesses by providing opportunities to connect, collaborate, and thrive. NNASC is the only MBE certification body that is run by Natives for Natives. https://lnkd.in/gQWcD3sG

The National Native American Supplier Council Appoints New Board Member, Jeffery W. Johnson GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., April 29, 2024 – Today, the National Native American Supplier Council (NNASC) announced the appointment of a new member to their board of directors. Jeffery W. Johnson, an enrolled Forest County Potawatomi Community tribal member, who serves as the Chief Operating Officer (COO) overseeing the commercial businesses at Potawatomi Ventures, was added. The NNASC board members support the nonprofit’s mission to empower our certified Native-owned businesses by providing opportunities to connect, collaborate, and thrive. “Jeff brings a wealth of experience from working in Indian Country and I am excited to have his insight strengthen our board,” stated Jason Palmer, Executive Director of NNASC. “Our nonprofit is proudly for Natives, by Natives. Our board reflects the Native communities that we serve and we continue to advocate and educate on behalf of Native-owned businesses.” Created to empower Tribal and Native-owned businesses, NNASC provides a dedicated process for Native-owned companies to achieve certification as a minority business enterprise (MBE). NNASC is backed by Tribal and business leaders who support the rights of Tribes to exercise sovereignty, and who understand the importance of creating a certification body that can properly value and evaluate the unique characteristics and structures of Tribal governments and Native-owned businesses. “Jeff is a welcome addition to the NNASC team,” said Julio Martinez, Chairman of NNASC’s Board of Directors. “He is a Native entrepreneur, works for a successful tribal economic development corporation and he expands our network. I look forward to working with him as we grow our presence and expand our reach throughout both Indian Country and corporate America.” Jeff added, “I’m excited to join this great new organization and begin contributing to driving the NNASC mission and expanding its growth in Wisconsin and beyond.” The National Native American Supplier Council’s Board of Directors sets the organization’s strategic direction, establishes long-term goals, and helps support the work of management. A full list of the nonprofit’s board members can be found at: https://lnkd.in/eaiDH3_d. To learn more about NNASC, visit nnasc.org. 

The National Native American Supplier Council was honored to participate in a panel discussion on minority business enterprise certification for Native-owned companies last week at Reservation Economic Summit (RES) 2024. Chi miigwech to Julio Martinez, Monica King, Debra Quade (she-her), Trevor Boylston, CPSM, CPSD, and Jason Palmer for contributing your insights and to our talented moderator Tanya Gibbs for ensuring the panel ran smoothly. Congratulations to The National Center For American Indian Enterprise Development (NCAIED) for a record-breaking RES, with 4,400 attendees. Our nonprofit appreciates that NCAIED, the largest national Indian specific business organization in the nation, provides a platform for all of Indian Country to grow and thrive.

The team at the National Native American Supplier Council extends a heartfelt thank you to all the brave men and woman for your service and sacrifice. Chi miigwetch to all of our Native warriors.