Kristi Phillips

2026 Tribal Administrative Professional of the Year

Congratulations to Kristi Phillips, the inaugural recipient of the Falmouth Institute Tribal Administrative Professional of the Year (TAPY) Award!

Kristi serves as Executive Legal Assistant/Office Manager for the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma and brings 25 years of dedicated service to her role. Reflecting on the recognition, Kristi shared, “I feel honored to have won the TAPY award. Every time I look at it, I get a big smile on my face. Honestly, it has motivated me, creating a deeper sense of purpose for myself and team.”

Administrative professionals are often the quiet force behind the smooth function of Tribal Nations. TAPY aims to honor their excellence – acknowledging those who demonstrate exceptional dedication, cultural stewardship, innovation, professionalism and leadership in their roles.

John Marciano

AI Integration Specialist

John Marciano serves as an AI Integration Specialist supporting the Operations team at Falmouth Institute as the organization expands its use of artificial intelligence. In this role, he focuses on helping integrate AI-driven tools and systems that improve operational efficiency, enhance learning delivery, and support the Institute’s continued growth.

He is involved in implementing and optimizing learning management systems, as well as creating instructional and marketing video content that supports both internal initiatives and client-facing programs. His work helps connect emerging technologies with Falmouth Institute’s mission of providing high-quality, accessible training and resources.

John earned his degree in Political Science from the University of Kentucky, where he developed an interest in systems thinking, governance, and organizational structure. He brings a forward-looking perspective to his work, with an emphasis on aligning new technologies with the Institute’s long-term goals.

Outside of work, John enjoys spending time with family and friends.

Caleb Norris

Adjunct Faculty ~ Law & Governance

Caleb Norris is an associate in the Portland office of Hobbs, Straus, Dean & Walker. Caleb advises tribal clients on a number of issues, with a particular focus on tribal self-determination and self-governance as it relates to healthcare, economic development, housing, and education. He has significant expertise in section 105(l) leasing and contract support costs recovery under the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act. His practice also involves a substantial amount of transactional work ranging from healthcare employment agreements, to service agreements, to multi-million dollar construction project agreements. Caleb also works with tribal governments to provide Tribal Council training and staff development.

Pete Swanson

Adjunct Faculty ~ Human Resources

Pete Swanson, a Senior Partner at Impact Associates, provides mediation, facilitation, coaching, training, strategic planning, leadership alignment and development, and change-management services. Prior to joining Impact Associates, he served with the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS) until July 2025, where he led national and international initiatives and launched the Conflict Management Professional Program.

With nearly four decades of experience, Mr. Swanson has worked in more than 25 countries across four continents, partnering with over 60 federal, state, tribal, and local agencies. He is recognized for integrating conflict resolution with coaching, leadership development, and organizational effectiveness to strengthen communication, alignment, and performance across complex systems.

Mr. Swanson has mediated and facilitated complex tribal, public‑policy, and workplace matters; built court and commercial mediation capacity globally; and designed and led executive leadership programs for a broad range of federal agencies. He has trained thousands of participants in mediation, negotiation, and facilitation throughout his career.

He holds degrees in Conflict Management and Cultural Anthropology from George Mason University.

Eric Johnson

Adjunct Faculty ~ Finance

Eric J. Johnson serves as the Sr. Associate Dean for Administration and Finance at the University of Oklahoma’s College of Pharmacy. In this role, he provides strategic oversight and recommendations to the Dean on all financial matters of the College including budgets and pharmacy operations, HR, Information Technology, and infrastructure.

Mr. Johnson is an active educator within the College, teaching Pharmacy Business and Entrepreneurship. Under his guidance, the University of Oklahoma has secured four top‑three finishes in the Good Neighbor Pharmacy NCPA Pruitt‑Schutte Business Plan Competition – winning the title three times.

He holds a Bachelor of Accounting from Cameron University and both a Master of Business Administration and a Master of Science in Management Information Systems from the University of Oklahoma. He has passed the examinations for the Certified Public Accountant and Certified Internal Auditor designations. In 2023, he was inducted as the 65th member of the Oklahoma Society of CPAs Hall of Fame.

Deeply committed to advancing the pharmacy profession, Mr. Johnson works to elevate pharmacists’ roles in public health and expand opportunities for students and practitioners. He is active in APhA, AACP, and NCPA; serves as a reviewer for multiple academic journals; has represented Oklahoma as a delegate to APhA; and has held leadership roles within AACP’s Administrative and Financial Officers Special Interest Group, Administrative Services Section, and its Audit, Finance, and Investment Committees.

He has also served the OU campus and community through roles on several committees to include the OU Athletic Council (2005-2009) and Chairman of the Board of Directors for the OSCPA (2012-2013). He currently serves as the President of Leadership OKC Alumni Board. A recognized subject‑matter expert in tax and accounting, he has been interviewed by local television, radio, and newspaper outlets.

Charles Pfeifer

Adjunct Faculty ~ Gaming

Charles Pfeifer is a seasoned professional with over 15 years of experience in tribal gaming regulation and more than a decade in executive leadership and management. Throughout his career, he has held key roles across large gaming operations, including positions in cage operations, surveillance, and compliance. As a Senior Compliance Officer for the Pechanga Gaming Commission, Charles served as a subject matter expert in table games, honing his expertise in internal investigations, audits, and policy development.

Beyond the gaming industry, Charles has successfully managed businesses and led teams of various sizes in supervisory, managerial, and executive capacities. For the past seven years, he has served as Chief Compliance Officer and later Chief Executive Officer of a cannabis manufacturing and distribution corporation in California’s highly regulated industry. In these roles, he oversaw the development of multiple facilities, built high-performing teams, and established policies and best practices within a rapidly evolving market.

Passionate about professional development, Charles enjoys making complex subjects accessible and engaging. Having previously participated in multiple Falmouth courses, he is now excited to bring his experience to the faculty.

Jennifer Barger Johnson, J.D.

Adjunct Faculty ~ Law & Governance

Jennifer Barger Johnson, an enrolled member of the Cherokee Nation, is an attorney licensed in Oklahoma, Arkansas, Texas, the Federal Courts and the Cherokee Nation. She is a native of Oklahoma who grew up in Sallisaw (Sequoyah County).

Jennifer is a Business Law Professor at the University of Central Oklahoma (UCO) where she has served since 2005. She is also the UCO College of Business’s AACSB Societal Impact Director. Since 2000, she has served as a Municipal Judge for four Municipalities in Oklahoma. She also served as the Vice Chairperson of the Cherokee Nation Gaming Commission (2009-2014), as the Chairperson of the Cherokee Nation Compensation Committee, as the Deputy General Counsel for Energy Law at the Oklahoma Corporation Commission, and as the UCO Copyright Compliance Officer for 15 years. She is the longest serving UCO Faculty Senate President having served four terms.

Jennifer has taught classes in many areas of business law and human resources. She is an active researcher and has published over 20 peer-reviewed journal articles.

Jennifer was selected by the Cherokee Nation in 2018 to serve as the first every female mentor rider for the Remember the Removal Bike Ride. This ride retraces the northern route of the Trail of Tears annually and spans nearly 1,000 miles over 17 days. She remains very active in tribal affairs. She is a mother of two teenagers, a son and a daughter, and spends most of her time at her son’s football games and/or daughter’s club volleyball tournaments.

Jackie Gordon

Adjunct Faculty ~ Gaming

Jacqueline Gordon is a member of the Chemehuevi Tribe and has extensive knowledge and experience working in Indian Country. She served on the tribal council for 17 years and held the position of Secretary/Treasurer for over 7 of those years. In her role as a tribal executive member, Jackie oversaw housing, education, recreation, accounting and social service programs. She served on the board of directors for the casino/hotel enterprise and was a member of the ICWA committee, housing board, enrollment committee and ad-hoc committee to review and revise tribal ordinances and procedures.

Jackie has over 25 years of experience in the gaming industry; over 14 years as a casino general manager, and further worked in positions as a shift manager and table games manager.

Jackie possesses over three years of hands-on experience in regulatory matters related to Indian Country and most recently held the position of Chairwoman of the Gaming Commission.

She has an associate degree and holds a gaming certification from San Diego State University.
Jackie has a passion for working in Indian Country and looks forward to meeting and helping others.

Blake Atkerson,
J.D. and L.L.M.

Adjunct Faculty ~ Law & Governance

Blake Atkerson, a proud member of the Osage Nation, brings a unique blend of legal expertise, strategic insight, and a deep commitment to teaching and empowering others in critical fields like water, climate and land management. With a background as a licensed attorney in California and an advanced Master of Laws (LL.M.) in Water Resources Law, Blake has spent over a decade navigating complex legal landscapes, advocating for sustainable practices, and guiding diverse stakeholders through innovative solutions to pressing challenges.

Blake’s teaching and consulting approach is enriched by extensive experience in federal Indian law, project management, data analysis, and emerging technologies like generative artificial intelligence. Passionate about fostering resilience and equity, Blake combines a pragmatic and engaging style with a dedication to helping students and collaborators tackle big-picture problems while mastering the finer details of impactful change. Whether diving into grant strategy, climate-smart agriculture or advanced compliance systems, Blake is driven by the mission to inspire action, foster innovation and create pathways for lasting environmental and societal impact.

In addition to earning his LL.M., Blake received his J.D., Law and Health Sciences Concentration from the University of California, Hastings College of the Law, and a B.A., Political Science (history minor), from San Diego State University.

Ramon McKamie

Adjunct Faculty ~ Human Resources

Ramon McKamie is currently the Training and Development Specialist for Kenaitze Indian Tribe out of Kenai, AK. Ramon and his family moved to Alaska from Arizona in June 2023. At Kenaitze Indian Tribe Ramon is the sole trainer and is responsible for onboarding new employees, annual training requirements, conducting live trainings for staff in various subjects, as well as being the Learning Management System administrator. Ramon is a certified Tribal Human Resources Professional II, Basic Life Support instructor, A.L.I.C.E. instructor, and recently earned the title of Master Trainer through the Association for Talent Development. He went to school at Arizona State University where he earned a bachelor’s degree in secondary education (biological sciences). He continued his education at Grand Canyon University and earned a master’s degree in educational leadership. He has taught biology to inner city Phoenix students. Ramon transitioned to adult education while working for the Department of Correction, Rehabilitation and Re-entry as a teacher assisting inmates earn their high school diplomas or GEDs. Ramon continued working with adults and transitioned into training as the training specialist for the City of Phoenix’s workforce development program. He is a military veteran with 9 years of active duty in 2 branches of service; 4 years in the US Marine Corps and 5 years in the US Coast Guard. Since moving to Alaska Ramon has learned to fish and enjoys fishing for salmon in the Kenai River during the summertime. He enjoys spending time with his beautiful wife Teresa and 2 children, Elaina and Noah. Ramon loves working with people and genuinely wants to see them succeed.

First Last

Adjunct Faculty ~ Human Resources

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Jacque Boyle

Adjunct Faculty ~ Law & Governance

Jacque Boyle is a member of the Oneida Nation and has 35 years of diversified background in engineering, project management, construction and facility maintenance.

She currently serves as a Commissioner for the Green Bay Water Department and is a member of the Oneida Engineering Science and Construction (OESC) Professional Services Board of Directors. She also has a Wisconsin State Fire Inspector License.

Jacque has been in positions of tribal leadership which included the responsibilities of strategic/operational planning, improving budget processes, creating reports for financial analysis, and developing a team approach to capital improvement planning. Her expertise is in applying a systems theory approach to national development, reorganizational design, and business process improvement while honoring cultural values.

While at Oneida, Jacque’s positions included Housing and Public Works Director, Assistant Operations Director, Facilities Manager, and Operations Analyst. In these positions she focused on organizing and facilitating teams through consensus to improve working relationships, identify problems, and develop design solutions. Most rewarding to her in these positions was in identifying and creating opportunities for continued career development of tribal members.

Her previous experience includes working for Nestle Beverage, Cargill and General Mills in various positions such as Project Manager, Maintenance Planner/Purchasing Manager, Assistant Plant Superintendent and Project Engineer. In these various roles she was responsible for implementing safety, sanitation and preventive maintenance programs.

Jacque’s educational background includes a BS in Engineering, an MS in Administrative Science and an MBA.

Craig Jacobson

Adjunct Faculty ~ Finance

Craig Jacobson joined Hobbs Straus as an associate in 1998, and has extensive experience in the areas of real estate, finance, tribal governance, federal contracting, and environmental and natural resources law.

While in law school, Craig began working in Indian Country with the Shoalwater Bay Indian Tribe in Washington State in 1993. He assisted the Tribe in the creation and management of an environmental department, development of an on-reservation health clinic, and negotiation of Title I and Title IV agreements with the federal government. He has worked on tribal issues facing Indian Country for over 30 years.

He has extensive ISDEAA experience, including Title IV Self-governance (both BIA and non-BIA), expansion of economic development opportunities, tribal sovereign immunity, regulatory authority, as well as protection of tribal resources and assets.

Craig also has a wide range of experience in cultural resources issues, real estate transactions, and housing issues. He often works with tribal governments on the acquisition of ancestral lands and the placement of those lands into trust status.

When not at work, he enjoys sports, music and spending time with his family.

Brigette Finigan

Adjunct Faculty ~ Human Resources

Brigette Finigan is an enrolled citizen of the Tolowa Dee-ni’ Nation. She resides in her ancestral homeland territories in the Pacific Northwest. Brigette is currently serving as the Senior Planner for Tolowa Dee-ni’ Nation, where she manages their Planning Division and oversees a multitude of community development projects. She has over 40 years of life experience, with over 20 years of work experience in Indian Country. She has worked for tribal governments, other tribal organizations, other non-tribal governments, and non-profit community organizations. Brigette has experience with both official and volunteer roles as a cultural consultant, advocate, and liaison for indigenous communities. Brigette’s area of expertise is in cultural competency and bridging cultural gaps between Indian Country and mainstream American systems and worldviews.

Falmouth Institute is recognized by
SHRM to offer Professional Development
Credits (PDCs) for SHRM-CP^® or
SHRM-SCP^® recertification activities.

Lyndalou M. Bullard

Adjunct Faculty ~ Human Resources

With expertise spanning organizational development, human resources, strategic planning, and leadership, Lyndalou M. Bullard has made indelible marks throughout her career. She has thrived as the Organizational Development & Training Manager at the City of North Las Vegas, pioneering the establishment of a new division and spearheading core competency development. As the Business Services Manager at CSN College of Southern Nevada, she supervised instructors, fostered collaborations, and amplified organizational performance. Her role as HR Manager of Employee Development at Las Vegas Valley Water District highlighted her ability to architect comprehensive training programs and initiatives, earning accolades and awards.

Lyndalou received a Bachelor of Liberal Arts from the University of San Francisco and has earned numerous certifications and qualifications, including those in instructional system design, human resource management, diversity leadership, and quality assurance.

Lyndalou is a native Las Vegan. She and her husband, Bryan, enjoy traveling, all sports (especially baseball) and outdoor hiking. She is also an avid baker, cook, gardener and swimmer.

Eugenia Charles-Newton

Council Delegate, Navajo Nation

Eugenia Charles-Newton, Dinè (Navajo), currently serves as a Council Delegate on the 25th Navajo Nation Council. She was elected to be the Chairwoman of the Law and Order Committee where she leads it in overseeing the Navajo Nation Judicial Branch, Navajo Nation Division of Public Safety, Navajo Nation Department of Justice, Ethics and Rules, and other Divisions and Departments that deal with law. She also serves as the Chairwoman of the Gaming Subcommittee working to renegotiate a gaming compact with the State of Arizona.

In addition to serving the Nation, she also co-chairs the Public Safety and Justice Subcommittee at the Tribal Interior Budget Council (TIBC) working alongside the Department of Interior as a tribal leader to help appropriate funds across Indian Country.

Eugenia holds a Juris Doctorate from the University of Kansas School of Law and a Certificate for Tribal Law and Policy. She’s currently working on her Ph.D. at Texas Tech University School of Education in Secondary Education, with an emphasis on policy writing.

Her varied career includes working as a Burger King cashier, a jet welder building 6’ suction tanks for oil fields, a law librarian, a college professor and a prosecutor for the Navajo Nation.

Eugenie has been married for 26 years, has one son and lives on a small farm in Shiprock, New Mexico where she raises 11 sheep, 5 dogs, 3 cats, 2 geese, a llama and donkey named Brand-E.

Jill Ross, MBA-PM

Adjunct Faculty ~ Human Resources

Jill Ross, MBA-PM has over 20 years of experience in business leadership, consulting, and project management in the healthcare, banking, and entrepreneurial industries. She has an MBA in Project Management, Six-sigma and Lean certifications, and spends her free time mentoring students at a specialized business academy. Jill served in the U.S. Navy and currently serves as a member of the Military Affairs Committee at the Vegas Chamber, and as a civic leader for Creech and Nellis Air Force bases. Recently, Jill sold her start-up tech company and has turned her passion for health into a nutrition coaching and consulting company.

Teresa Choyguha

Emcee

Teresa, also known as Sh-Girl, is a citizen of the Tohono O’odham Nation in southern Arizona. Teresa performs stand-up comedy and is part of the all-female comedy group, “The Ladies of Native Comedy:” Teresa promotes culture and language in her community. She is part of a group dedicated to reviving traditional pottery making in her Nation. She lives with her family Where the Turtle is Wedged (Sells, Arizona) where she is currently employed by the Tohono O’odham Utility Authority.

Lisa Riggleman

Director, Learning and Development

As the Director of Learning and Development, Lisa Riggleman is responsible for leading the design and delivery process of culturally-appropriate, business related training initiatives for Falmouth Institute. She has worked and traveled extensively in Indian Country for nearly 30 years. Lisa has decades of experience in the nonprofit, education and gaming professions. Most recently, she held senior leadership positions with The Mob Museum and The Neon Museum-both in Las Vegas. She is an avid volunteer and serves on the board of various Las Vegas nonprofits. She earned a Master of Arts in journalism and telecommunications from the University of Wyoming and a Bachelor of Science in journalism and broadcasting from West Texas A&M University as well as post graduate studies and a human resources certification at The University of Nevada Las Vegas.

Brian Pearson, MBA

Adjunct Faculty ~ Human Resources

As a long-time Las Vegas local, Brian Pearson has spent the last 30 years working with technology to get the most out of office automation. Brian earned his Bachelor’s degree and Master’s degree from the University of Nevada Las Vegas. He has been instructing classes in Microsoft Office, Network Security, Records Retention and Electronic Document Management for Falmouth for the past 15 years. He is a devoted husband and father of three children. He enjoys spending time with his children, volunteering with youth baseball programs and working with computers.

Patina Park, J.D.

Adjunct Faculty ~ Law & Governance

Patina Park is Mnicoujou Lakota and serves as Chief Operating Officer for the North American Traditional Indigenous Food Systems (NATIFS), a non-profit organization founded by Chef Sean Sherman. NATIFS is dedicated to revitalizing Indigenous foodways by promoting education, access, and economic empowerment through traditional Native ingredients and practices, addressing health and economic crises in Native communities by building sustainable food systems rooted in Indigenous knowledge. NATIFS also runs Owamni, a multi-award winning restaurant that features a menu using pre-colonial foods.

Prior to her current position, Patina was Executive Director of Tribal State Relations in the Office of Minnesota Governor Walz and Lieutenant Governor Flanagan, serving as a senior advisor on Tribal affairs and a direct link with the eleven Tribal nations and Tribal communities within Minnesota. She has spent over 20 years working with Tribal governments and urban communities, and has served as faculty for the Falmouth Institute for almost 15 years.

Patina has also served as an appellate court judge for the Prairie Island Sioux Community, taught Federal Indian Law at the former Hamline University School of Law, now Mitchell Hamline School of Law, and held leadership positions with the Minnesota Indian Women’s Resource Center, Minneapolis Division of Indian Work, and the Ho-Chunk Nation Department of Justice.

Wes Miller, MEd

Adjunct Faculty ~ Human Resources

Wes was born in Pittsburgh, PA and raised in northeast Ohio. He moved to Las Vegas for economic reasons, meaning he needed a job and Vegas was hiring. He has managed the Learning and Development function for various hotel/casinos on the Las Vegas Strip and has been proudly facilitating training sessions for the Falmouth Institute since 1994.

He earned his BA in Business Administration/HR and a Master’s in Education for Instructional Design.

Wes is also an experienced mediator and was appointed by the Nevada Supreme Court as a Foreclosure Mediator during the financial crisis from 2009-2015. He taught a 40 hour mediation certification program at UNLV during that time and still makes occasional guest appearances for current classes. He is passionate about restorative justice practices and other conflict resolution training. He volunteers with the Nevada Mediation Group to offer conflict resolution training for the Las Vegas community.

At this point, Wes has done both training delivery and instructional design for more than half his life. He knew from a young age this is what he wanted to do and has had the great fortune of loving his work. He lives by the mantra “Do what you love, and you will never work a day in your life.”

Lesley Moore

Adjunct Faculty ~ Law & Governance

Lesley Moore brings more than 20 years’ experience in grant writing, fund and organizational development, nonprofit management, and community organizing. She earned her undergraduate degree in communications and theatre, and dual MBA and MSW degrees in business and social work. She provides instruction and facilitation, consulting and coaching to individuals and organizations at all levels with particular expertise in grassroots groups and those newer to grant writing. She has content expertise and experience in the arts, social justice, environment and sustainability, emergency preparedness, human services and mental health, adult education, and youth work. She holds a permaculture design certificate (PDC) and continues to study in an advanced regenerative land management program.

Lisa Harjo, MEd

Adjunct Faculty ~ Law & Governance

Lisa Harjo works as the Executive Director for Native American Cancer Research. She is the Principal Investigator on a project with the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and provides administrative leadership and oversight for the organization. She supervises staff and maintains all corporate documents and standards. She also provides health education, training, recruits American Indians for cancer screening, and supports cancer survivors through education and outreach in the Denver Metro Area.

After receiving her Bachelors of Science in Native American Education and Child Development in 1974, Ms. Harjo spent the next twenty years teaching all ages from preschool through higher education. She also worked for many years in the field of non-profit organization management and development. She received her Masters of Education in Elementary Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Colorado at Denver in the early nineties. She co-authored several books in the field of education. She has worked for decades with American Indian tribes and other organizations, facilitating group meetings and trainings, and assisting communities in building consensus and unity of visions.

Ms. Harjo lives in Denver, Colorado with her husband, three daughters, grandson, and three granddaughters.

Marissa Gehley, MA

Adjunct Faculty ~ Human Resources

Marissa J. Gehley is the founder of KNOW consulting, Kids Need Our Wisdom. She has more than 30 years of experience in education as a former teacher, counselor, child welfare and attendance specialist and coordinator of school safety and the Burbank OutReach Center. Additionally she is a trainer for the California School/Law Enforcement Partnership.

Ms. Gehley is proud to have contributed to several articles published in the nationally syndicated column “A+ Advice for Parents” by Leanna Landsmann. She has presented hundreds of workshops for community leaders, educators, parents and students in areas such as bully awareness/prevention, suicide prevention, effective communication techniques, school and neighborhood safety, diversity, relationship violence, child abuse and neglect and developing effective community partnerships. She holds a BS in history and social science and an MA in counseling.

Karla Bylund

Adjunct Faculty ~ Human Resources

Karla Bylund, a member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation, founded Soaring Bird Solutions in 2015. Soaring Bird Solutions is a Native American Woman-owned consulting firm which provides professional Human Resource consulting services including HR outsourcing and special projects such as compensation and organizational analysis, human resource audit and assistance, policy review, employee relations investigations, engagement surveys, career development and customized training.

She has over 25 years’ experience in Human Resources and has worked with over 30 Tribal Nations. Her credentials include:

Bachelor of Business Administration, University of Phoenix
Master of Industrial and Organizational Psychology, Kansas State University
Certificate in Diversity and Inclusion, Cornell University
Senior Human Resource Certification, Society for Human Resource Management
Speaker, National Native American Human Resource Association
Speaker, National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development
Speaker, TribalNet Annual Conference
Adjunct Instructor, Falmouth Institute

Greg Gunderson

Adjunct Faculty ~ Finance

Dr. Greg Gunderson is the Chief Financial Officer for the Ponca Tribe of Nebraska and has more than 35 years of executive and financial leadership experience. Gunderson has expertise in many traditional financial areas, including accounting, purchasing, accounts payable, and internal audit. He also has experience in broader organizational management, including strategic planning, building construction and renovation, facility maintenance, asset acquisition including bond financing, people management, and public safety. After graduating with his Bachelor of Science degree, Gunderson began his career as a tax accountant. He later received his Master’s degree in Finance while simultaneously working full-time. After receiving his Doctorate degree in Educational Administration, he served as Vice President and CFO for Webster University in St. Louis and then as President of Park University in Kansas City and Seward County Community College in Liberal, Kansas. Throughout his career, Dr. Gunderson has recognized the importance of bringing humor to the workplace and maintaining a focus on finding solutions. Greg is married to his high school debate partner, Laurie, and they raised two sons and now reside near their extended family in Omaha, Nebraska.

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INSTRUCTOR SPOTLIGHT

Meet Dr. Joe Hobot

Dr. Joe Hobot, a descendant of the Hunkpapa Band of the Lakota Nation from the Standing Rock Indian Reservation, is a Falmouth Institute adjunct faculty member specializing in Human Resources. Since 2006, he has worked at American Indian OIC, a nonprofit specializing in workforce development, education and advocacy for the urban American Indian community in Minnesota, where he currently serves as the President and CEO.

Here’s what some recent students had to say about Dr. Hobot …

Joe was very informative and well spoken. He has a great personality and I would love to take classes taught by him again.

The quality of the instructor was outstanding. I can’t wait for the next training.

Join Dr. Joe Hobot for Tribal Governing — Leadership Roles and Responsibilities for Tribal Executives and Council Members, November 2-3 in Las Vegas, NV.

David Joseph Montoya III, J.D., M.A., SHRM-CP

Senior Law & Governance Analyst

In 2023, David Montoya joined Falmouth Institute as our Senior Law & Governance Analyst. David is an enrolled member of the Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo and has been serving Indian Country as an attorney and consultant for over 10 years. David graduated from UCLA School of Law’s Federal Indian Law joint degree program in 2009, earning a J.D. and Masters in American Indian Studies. He has worked as an in-house attorney for several tribes across California including the Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians, San Manuel Band of Mission Indians, and the Bear River Band of the Rohnerville Rancheria. Major successful projects David has managed include the following: building the Bear River Tribal Court and Public Safety Departments, negotiating settlement agreements with school districts to resolve discriminatory treatment of Native students, successfully managing multi-million dollar tribal government grant portfolios, developing multiple tribal private enterprises as part of economic development initiatives, and training local government agencies to successfully work with tribal communities.

David has also worked within higher education, serving as head of human resources for Cal Poly Pomona and Pomona Community College and, additionally, served on the Native Advisory Committees for both these institutions. David worked extensively with college administrators regarding NAGPRA compliance, cultural consideration when working with Native students, and working directly with tribal leadership to find joint solutions to resolve barriers to education.

David currently serves as an Appellate Court Justice for the Northern California Tribal Court Coalition, serving as an appellate judge for several tribes in Northern California. In December 2023, he was sworn in as an Appellate Court Justice for the Sauk Suiattle Tribe in Washington.

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Evelina Y-Maho

Adjunct Faculty ~ Human Resources

Evelina Y-Maho is Co-Owner/Founder of YM Solutions, LLC, a native women-own consulting firm. Worked many years in the public health and healthcare arena. Holds a Masters Degree in Administration with an emphasis in Health Sciences and an undergraduate degree in Clinical Dietetics and Chemistry from Northern Arizona University. Early in her career, much of her work focused on Prevention and Management of Chronic Disease among American Indian populations. Experienced and skilled in project design, implementation, evaluation, and fiscal management. Much of her work entails collaborative work with Tribal Health Programs, Hospitals (IHS/638) Facilities and Urban Indian Health Centers. Currently, Evelina works with the National Council of Urban Indian Health and continues to support AI/AN programs. At Falmouth Institute, she serves as an Adjunct Faculty Member.

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Adam Bailey

Adjunct Faculty ~ Law & Governance

Adam Bailey, an enrolled member of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, joined the law firm Hobbs Straus as an associate in February 2013. He is a 2011 graduate of the UCLA School of Law, where he received his J.D. with a specialization in Critical Race Studies. During law school, Mr. Bailey was an active member and officer of NALSA. He worked on UCLA’s Journal of Environmental Law and Policy and the Dukeminier Awards Journal on Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, and the Law. Mr. Bailey was a term-time clerk for the Hualapai Court of Appeals and the Hopi Tribal Appeals Court. He was also a member of the UCLA Law Review, where he was selected to be a Senior Editor. He authored his student note entitled Threading the Needle: The Fort Peck Tribe’s Associate Membership: A Modern Model for Tribal Affiliation.

Mr. Bailey has returned to Hobbs Straus, having worked for four years in the firm’s Washington, D.C. office as a legislative specialist before enrolling in law school. Prior to his previous work at the firm he served as a legislative associate for the National Congress of American Indians. Immediately after graduation from the UCLA School of Law, Mr. Bailey practiced labor and employment law for Sheppard Mullin Richter & Hampton.

Mr. Bailey graduated with honors from Harvard University. His thesis exploring President Clinton’s executive order on tribal consultation received magna cum laude.

Mr. Bailey enjoys fishing and hunting, hiking, cooking, traveling, keeping current on news and politics.

Joe Hobot

Adjunct Faculty ~ Human Resources

Dr. Joe Hobot was born and raised in the Minneapolis/St. Paul metropolitan area and is a descendant of the Hunkpapa Band of the Lakota Nation from the Standing Rock Indian Reservation, where his grandfather and mother are both enrolled members.

Since 2006, Dr. Hobot has worked at American Indian OIC, a nonprofit specializing in workforce development, education and advocacy for the urban American Indian community of the Minneapolis-St. Paul region in Minnesota, where he currently serves as the President and CEO. Dr. Hobot also serves in an ongoing capacity as a consultant with the National Urban Indian Family Coalition (NUIFC) based in Seattle, Washington, where in the fall of 2017 he published a report commissioned by the NUIFC entitled Resurgence: Restructuring Urban American Indian Education.

In 2017 Dr. Hobot was appointed by Governor Mark Dayton to serve on the Minnesota Jobs Skills Partnership’s (MJSP) Board of Directors, where he was then selected to serve another term by Governor Tim Walz in 2020. Previously he has served as a director on the boards of the Tiwahe Foundation, the Native American Community Clinic (NACC), and the Ain Dah Yung Center (ADYC).

Dr. Hobot is the 2015 recipient of the Minnesota American Indian Chamber of Commerce’s Bear Award and was named a 2016 40 Under 40 by the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal. Also in 2016 Dr. Hobot became a fellow through the Roy Wilkins Center for Human Relations and Social Justice at the Humphrey School of Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota. In August 2018, Dr. Hobot was selected by the Aspen Institute for an Aspen Institute Ascend Fellowship. In December 2019, Dr. Hobot was selected by Twin Cities Business Magazine as “100 People to Know In 2020”.

Julia Coates

Adjunct Faculty ~ Law & Governance

Julia Coates is a citizen of the Cherokee Nation. Born in Pryor, Oklahoma and raised in northern California, she holds BAs in Anthropology and English from San Francisco State University, and a PhD in American Studies from the University of New Mexico. She has worked for Native American non-profits, tribal governments, and non-governmental organizations. Dr. Coates was a delegate to the Cherokee Nation Constitutional convention, was the Project Director for the award-winning Cherokee Nation History Course, and is serving her fourth term on the Cherokee Nation Tribal Council, representing Cherokee Nation citizens who reside outside the reservation boundaries. She has worked on research, grant writing, and conference production for the American Indian Studies Center at UCLA, and presently is an adjunct professor of American Indian History and American Indian Law and Policy at California State University, Northridge and Pasadena City College.

Raymond Bantum

Adjunct Faculty ~ Finance

Mr. Bantum is the President of Bantum Consulting Services, which specializes in providing Information Technology consulting services to faith based, non-profit, for profit, governmental and healthcare organizations. He has over 25 years of accounting and technology consulting experience, including experience in providing consulting, database and forensic accounting services to the healthcare industry. Mr. Bantum is a CPA, a CITP (Certified Information Technology Professional) and a CMC (Certified Management Consultant). He has served in the U.S. Air Force and received a Top Secret Security clearance while in service to his country. He was also an auditor with the accounting firm of Deloitte and Touche. He is a member of the AICPA, the Maryland Association of CPA’s, and the National Association of Black Accountants.

Help us recognize an exceptional Tribal administrative professional.

Selected finalists will be asked to provide additional information and participate in the finalist review process. The TAPY will be honored at TriSec in Las Vegas on April 21, 2027.

We are seeking candidates who demonstrate:

• Dedication to their Tribe or Tribal organization

• Proven leadership

• Excellence in their role

• Meaningful contributions that go above and beyond

• Exceptional teamwork

• Adaptability and problem-solving

• Integrity

• Commitment to professional development

Eligibility:

TAPY is open to all administrative professionals (office assistants, office managers, office specialists, office technicians, secretaries, receptionists, clerks, etc.) who work for a federally-recognized Tribe/Tribal Organization and have been in an administrative role for at least 2 years.

Nomination Process:

A supervisor/manager must nominate a candidate (you may only nominate one candidate). Fill out the online form. Nominations will be accepted October 26, 2026 – December 31, 2026. (There is no fee to nominate a candidate).

Awardee Selection:

After the nomination process closes, we will narrow down the field and conduct Zoom interviews with the top candidates’ supervisors. We will then choose finalists and conduct Zoom interviews with each of them.

The TAPY award winner will be announced during TriSec 2027, Falmouth Institute’s Tribal Administrative Professionals Conference, April 20-22, 2027 in Las Vegas, NV.

The winner will be invited to celebrate with us and enjoy complimentary registration.

Recognition, rewards and more!

Your excellence, success and achievement will be recognized during TriSec 2027, Falmouth Institute’s Tribal Administrative Professionals Conference, April 20-22, 2027 in Las Vegas, NV.

You will receive a cash award, commemorative trophy, certificate of achievement, scholarship for Falmouth Institute’s courses, and a complimentary registration to TriSec 2028.

Nominations for 2027 are now
open until Dec. 31, 2026.

Have questions? Email us HERE.

Meet Past TAPY Winners!

Kristi Phillips

2026

Nominator Information

Details of the person submitting the nomination.

Name

First

Last

Job Title

Tribe or Organization

Relationship to Nominee

Phone

Nominee Information

Details about the person being nominated.

Name

First

Last

Job Title

Department

Tribe or Organization

Total Years in Administrative Roles

Years in Current Position

of Roles Tribe

Eligibility Verification

Please confirm all three statements before continuing.

The nominee is employed by a Tribal government, Tribal enterprise, Tribal organization, Alaska Native entity, or organization serving Tribal communities.

The nominee currently serves in an administrative or closely related role.

To the best of my knowledge, the nominee is in good standing with the organization.

Nomination Responses

Why should this person be considered for TAPY?

Tell us why this nominee stands out as a Tribal administrative professional. You may consider their professionalism, dependability, leadership, initiative, service, integrity, teamwork, and commitment to their Tribe or organization.

Share one example of their impact.

Describe one specific example of how the nominee solved a problem, improved a process, supported others, led an initiative, or made a meaningful contribution. What changed or improved because of their actions?

Additional Information

Is there anything else the Selection Committee should know?

Share any additional information that would help the committee understand the nominee’s achievements, character, service, or contributions.

Supporting Documentation

(Optional) Upload one supporting document that helps illustrate the nominee’s impact, achievements, or contributions.

Drag & Drop Files, Choose Files to Upload

Suggested documents: letter of recommendation, award or recognition, commendation, project summary, or other relevant documentation.

Nominator Certification

I certify that the information provided is accurate to the best of my knowledge and that I am authorized to submit this nomination.

Electronic Signature

Clear Signature

Use your mouse to sign in the box above.

Kristi Phillips

2026 Tribal Administrative Professional of the Year

John Marciano

AI Integration Specialist

Caleb Norris

Adjunct Faculty ~ Law & Governance

Pete Swanson

Adjunct Faculty ~ Human Resources

Eric Johnson

Adjunct Faculty ~ Finance

Charles Pfeifer

Adjunct Faculty ~ Gaming

Jennifer Barger Johnson, J.D.

Adjunct Faculty ~ Law & Governance

Jackie Gordon

Adjunct Faculty ~ Gaming

Blake Atkerson, J.D. and L.L.M.

Adjunct Faculty ~ Law & Governance

Ramon McKamie

Adjunct Faculty ~ Human Resources

First Last

Adjunct Faculty ~ Human Resources

Jacque Boyle

Adjunct Faculty ~ Law & Governance

Craig Jacobson

Adjunct Faculty ~ Finance

Brigette Finigan

Adjunct Faculty ~ Human Resources

Falmouth Institute is recognized bySHRM to offer Professional DevelopmentCredits (PDCs) for SHRM-CP® orSHRM-SCP® recertification activities.

Lyndalou M. Bullard

Adjunct Faculty ~ Human Resources

Eugenia Charles-Newton

Council Delegate, Navajo Nation

Jill Ross, MBA-PM

Adjunct Faculty ~ Human Resources

Teresa Choyguha

Emcee

Lisa Riggleman

Director, Learning and Development

Brian Pearson, MBA

Adjunct Faculty ~ Human Resources

Patina Park, J.D.

Adjunct Faculty ~ Law & Governance

Wes Miller, MEd

Adjunct Faculty ~ Human Resources

Lesley Moore

Adjunct Faculty ~ Law & Governance

Lisa Harjo, MEd

Adjunct Faculty ~ Law & Governance

Marissa Gehley, MA

Adjunct Faculty ~ Human Resources

Karla Bylund

Adjunct Faculty ~ Human Resources

You're all set! We'll keep you posted on the latest class/conference highlights, news and special offers.

Greg Gunderson

Adjunct Faculty ~ Finance

Don’t miss out!

Don’t miss out!

Thank you, stay tuned for TriSec Updates!

INSTRUCTOR SPOTLIGHT

Meet Dr. Joe Hobot

David Joseph Montoya III, J.D., M.A., SHRM-CP

Senior Law & Governance Analyst

Don’t miss out!

Thank you, stay tuned for TriSec Updates!

Evelina Y-Maho

Adjunct Faculty ~ Human Resources

Be the First to Know!

Stay tuned for I-Lead Updates!

Don’t miss out!

Thank you, stay tuned for TriSec Updates!

Adam Bailey

Adjunct Faculty ~ Law & Governance

Joe Hobot

Adjunct Faculty ~ Human Resources

Julia Coates

Adjunct Faculty ~ Law & Governance

Raymond Bantum

Adjunct Faculty ~ Finance

Help us recognize an exceptional Tribal administrative professional.

Blake Atkerson,
J.D. and L.L.M.

Falmouth Institute is recognized by
SHRM to offer Professional Development
Credits (PDCs) for SHRM-CP^® or
SHRM-SCP^® recertification activities.

Nominations for 2027 are now
open until Dec. 31, 2026.