Leading with Purpose

The success we enjoy today is the result of careful, thoughtful planning and an unwavering dedication to doing business the right way. It’s the product of hard work from every member of our team and the guidance of leaders who lead by example.

Since our founding in 1969, Cherokee Nation Businesses’ mission has been at the core of the company. Our leadership shares these values and never loses sight of what success for Cherokee Nation really means. They ensure we will continue honoring our partnerships and remain steadfast in our mission. 

Meet the leadership of Cherokee Nation Businesses below.

Bill John Baker

Executive Chairman

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Chuck Garrett

Chief Executive Officer

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Doug Evans

Chief Financial Officer

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Mark Fulton

President, Cherokee Nation Entertainment

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Steven Bilby

President, Cherokee Federal

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Molly Jarvis

Senior Vice President & Chief Operating Officer, Cherokee Nation Cultural & Economic Development

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Stephanie Cipolla

Chief Human Resources Officer

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Robert Huffman

Chief Legal Officer

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Todd Hembree

Senior Vice President & Special Counsel

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Kimberly Teehee

Senior Vice President, Government Relations

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Tim Baker

Senior Vice President & General Counsel

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CNB Board of Directors

Shaun Shepherd (Chairman)

Bob Berry

Lynna Carson

Chris Carter

Dan Carter

Gary Cooper

Laura Dishman

Buck George

Bill Hickman

Jerry Holderby

Barry Reynolds

Julie Eddy Rokala

Brent Taylor

Brenda Thompson

Deacon Turner

Michael Watkins

Tommye Wright

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Cherokee Nation Businesses invests in the brightest, most talented individuals to ensure our brands are successful.

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Bill John Baker Headshot

Bill John Baker

Executive Chairman

Bill John Baker was elected to two terms as Principal Chief of Cherokee Nation, serving from 2011 to 2019. Prior to that, Baker spent 12 years on the Council of the Cherokee Nation. In those roles, he worked with many local, state and federal government officials on infrastructure, health care and economic initiatives. Preceding his time on the council, Baker also served five years on the bingo board, which would eventually become the CNB board. As executive chairman of Cherokee Nation Businesses, Baker serves as an ambassador to the larger business community and the federal government. He is the ranking advisor to CNB’s board of directors.

Bill John Baker Headshot

Bill John Baker

Executive Chairman

Bill John Baker was elected to two terms as Principal Chief of Cherokee Nation, serving from 2011 to 2019. Prior to that, Baker spent 12 years on the Council of the Cherokee Nation. In those roles, he worked with many local, state and federal government officials on infrastructure, health care and economic initiatives. Preceding his time on the council, Baker also served five years on the bingo board, which would eventually become the CNB board. As executive chairman of Cherokee Nation Businesses, Baker serves as an ambassador to the larger business community and the federal government. He is the ranking advisor to CNB’s board of directors.

Chuck Garrett Headshot

Chuck Garrett

Chief Executive Officer

Chuck Garrett has more than 25 years of experience in the legal, gaming and commercial real estate industries, holding senior management roles at several large corporations. Garrett joined CNB in 2013, and he was promoted to executive vice president in 2015. As CNB’s chief executive officer, Garrett works with the board of directors to set the vision, direction and strategy for the company.

Chuck Garrett Headshot

Chuck Garrett

Chief Executive Officer

Chuck Garrett has more than 25 years of experience in the legal, gaming and commercial real estate industries, holding senior management roles at several large corporations. Garrett joined CNB in 2013, and he was promoted to executive vice president in 2015. As CNB’s chief executive officer, Garrett works with the board of directors to set the vision, direction and strategy for the company.

Doug Evens Headshot

Doug Evans

Chief Financial Officer

Doug Evans oversees all of Cherokee Nation Businesses’ fiscal matters as its chief financial officer. Evans brings more than 35 years of experience in financial reporting and analysis, treasury management, operational budgeting, strategic capital planning, problem solving and supply-chain management. He works closely with the executive leadership team and the board of directors in setting strategic company policy and direction.

Doug Evens Headshot

Doug Evans

Chief Financial Officer

Doug Evans oversees all of Cherokee Nation Businesses’ fiscal matters as its chief financial officer. Evans brings more than 35 years of experience in financial reporting and analysis, treasury management, operational budgeting, strategic capital planning, problem solving and supply-chain management. He works closely with the executive leadership team and the board of directors in setting strategic company policy and direction.

Mark Fulton Headshot

Mark Fulton

President, Cherokee Nation Entertainment

Mark Fulton has more than 30 years of experience in the gaming and hospitality industry. Before joining Cherokee Nation Businesses in 2007, Fulton oversaw the purchase, rebranding and operations of Harrah’s Tunica and Bally’s Tunica for Resorts and Destinations Inc. in Mississippi. Fulton’s immediate responsibilities are leading the casino, racing, hotel and retail operations for CNB, which include 11 casinos, four hotel properties, two convenience/fuel stores and three golf courses.

Mark Fulton Headshot

Mark Fulton

President, Cherokee Nation Entertainment

Mark Fulton has more than 30 years of experience in the gaming and hospitality industry. Before joining Cherokee Nation Businesses in 2007, Fulton oversaw the purchase, rebranding and operations of Harrah’s Tunica and Bally’s Tunica for Resorts and Destinations Inc. in Mississippi. Fulton’s immediate responsibilities are leading the casino, racing, hotel and retail operations for CNB, which include 11 casinos, four hotel properties, two convenience/fuel stores and three golf courses.

Steven Bilby Headshot

Steven Bilby

President, Cherokee Federal

Steven Bilby leads a team of federal contracting professionals that works around the globe to help solve issues in immigration, national security, intelligence, cybersecurity, health care and logistics. Bilby joined Cherokee Nation Entertainment (formerly Cherokee Nation Enterprises) in 2002, where he served as vice president and chief information officer from 2005 to 2009. In his most recent role, Bilby served as president and CEO for diversified businesses’ technology sector. Prior to joining CNB, Bilby worked at Williams Communications and Williams Energy. He holds a Master of Business Administration from Southern Nazarene University and a bachelor’s degree in management information systems from the University of Oklahoma.

Steven Bilby Headshot

Steven Bilby

President, Cherokee Federal

Steven Bilby leads a team of federal contracting professionals that works around the globe to help solve issues in immigration, national security, intelligence, cybersecurity, health care and logistics. Bilby joined Cherokee Nation Entertainment (formerly Cherokee Nation Enterprises) in 2002, where he served as vice president and chief information officer from 2005 to 2009. In his most recent role, Bilby served as president and CEO for diversified businesses’ technology sector. Prior to joining CNB, Bilby worked at Williams Communications and Williams Energy. He holds a Master of Business Administration from Southern Nazarene University and a bachelor’s degree in management information systems from the University of Oklahoma.

Molly Jarvis Headshot

Molly Jarvis

Senior Vice President & Chief Operating Officer

Cherokee Nation Cultural & Economic Development

Molly Jarvis is a senior vice president with Cherokee Nation Businesses (CNB) and chief operating officer of Cherokee Nation Cultural and Economic Development, LLC (CNCED). Jarvis leads the team efforts of CED for industries as diverse as tourism, manufacturing, food production and film. Jarvis, a graduate of Oklahoma State University, earned her MBA and a bachelor’s degree in marketing and international business there. She has served CNB for the past 21 years.

Molly Jarvis Headshot

Molly Jarvis

Senior Vice President & Chief Operating Officer

Cherokee Nation Cultural & Economic Development

Molly Jarvis is a senior vice president with Cherokee Nation Businesses (CNB) and chief operating officer of Cherokee Nation Cultural and Economic Development, LLC (CNCED). Jarvis leads the team efforts of CED for industries as diverse as tourism, manufacturing, food production and film. Jarvis, a graduate of Oklahoma State University, earned her MBA and a bachelor’s degree in marketing and international business there. She has served CNB for the past 21 years.

Stephanie Cipolla Headshot

Stephanie Cipolla

Chief Human Resources Officer

Stephanie Cipolla joined Cherokee Nation Businesses in 2016 and currently oversees human resources for the company. Cipolla is responsible for HR strategy, analytics, compensation, benefits, information systems (HRIS) and talent management. Before joining CNB, she spent 25 years with the energy company Williams and served as its vice president of human resources.

Stephanie Cipolla Headshot

Stephanie Cipolla

Chief Human Resources Officer

Stephanie Cipolla joined Cherokee Nation Businesses in 2016 and currently oversees human resources for the company. Cipolla is responsible for HR strategy, analytics, compensation, benefits, information systems (HRIS) and talent management. Before joining CNB, she spent 25 years with the energy company Williams and served as its vice president of human resources.

Robert Huffman Headshot

Robert Huffman

Chief Legal Officer

Robert Huffman joined Cherokee Nation Businesses in 2004. Throughout that time, Huffman has served as the company’s chief legal officer and a member of the executive leadership team. A practicing attorney for 46 years, Huffman holds a Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent Peer Review Rating. He has extensive experience in legal matters, including corporate, regulatory and gaming law.

Robert Huffman Headshot

Robert Huffman

Chief Legal Officer

Robert Huffman joined Cherokee Nation Businesses in 2004. Throughout that time, Huffman has served as the company’s chief legal officer and a member of the executive leadership team. A practicing attorney for 46 years, Huffman holds a Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent Peer Review Rating. He has extensive experience in legal matters, including corporate, regulatory and gaming law.

Todd Hembree

Senior Vice President & Special Counsel

Todd Hembree served as the attorney general of Cherokee Nation from 2012 to 2019. As attorney general, Hembree negotiated state-tribal compacts, settled a 175-year old treaty-rights dispute and initiated a first-of-its-kind lawsuit against the opioid industry. For 12 years prior, he was the attorney for the Council of the Cherokee Nation, for which he developed rules of procedure and drafted legislation. After graduating from Northeastern State University in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, Hembree went on to receive his law degree at the University of Notre Dame School of Law in 1991.

Todd Hembree

Senior Vice President & Special Counsel

Todd Hembree served as the attorney general of Cherokee Nation from 2012 to 2019. As attorney general, Hembree negotiated state-tribal compacts, settled a 175-year old treaty-rights dispute and initiated a first-of-its-kind lawsuit against the opioid industry. For 12 years prior, he was the attorney for the Council of the Cherokee Nation, for which he developed rules of procedure and drafted legislation. After graduating from Northeastern State University in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, Hembree went on to receive his law degree at the University of Notre Dame School of Law in 1991.

Kimberly Teehee

Senior Vice President, Government Relations

Kim Teehee is director of government relations for Cherokee Nation and senior vice president of government relations for Cherokee Nation Businesses. In 2019, Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. named Teehee as the tribe’s first delegate to the U.S. House of Representatives. She previously served President Barack Obama as the first-ever senior policy advisor for Native American Affairs in the White House Domestic Policy Council. Teehee also served as senior advisor to the bi-partisan U.S. House of Representatives Native American Caucus. As senior advisor, she established an impressive record of accomplishments on a wide array of Native American issues. Teehee received her B.A. in political science from Northeastern State University and her J.D. from the University of Iowa College of Law.

Kimberly Teehee

Senior Vice President, Government Relations

Kim Teehee is director of government relations for Cherokee Nation and senior vice president of government relations for Cherokee Nation Businesses. In 2019, Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. named Teehee as the tribe’s first delegate to the U.S. House of Representatives. She previously served President Barack Obama as the first-ever senior policy advisor for Native American Affairs in the White House Domestic Policy Council. Teehee also served as senior advisor to the bi-partisan U.S. House of Representatives Native American Caucus. As senior advisor, she established an impressive record of accomplishments on a wide array of Native American issues. Teehee received her B.A. in political science from Northeastern State University and her J.D. from the University of Iowa College of Law.

Tim Baker Headshot

Tim Baker

Senior Vice President & General Counsel

Tim Baker has practiced law since 1973. Baker has been designated a Martindale-Hubble AV lawyer for more than 35 years, and he has been recognized in the top 1% of practicing lawyers. Since 2015, he has served as general counsel for Cherokee Nation Businesses. In addition to his private practice, he was the city attorney for Hulbert, Oklahoma, legal counsel for Tahlequah City Hospital, the attorney for Tahlequah Public Schools and a professor at Northeastern State University. Baker, an alumnus of Northeastern State University, earned his law degree at Oklahoma City University.

Tim Baker Headshot

Tim Baker

Senior Vice President & General Counsel

Tim Baker has practiced law since 1973. Baker has been designated a Martindale-Hubble AV lawyer for more than 35 years, and he has been recognized in the top 1% of practicing lawyers. Since 2015, he has served as general counsel for Cherokee Nation Businesses. In addition to his private practice, he was the city attorney for Hulbert, Oklahoma, legal counsel for Tahlequah City Hospital, the attorney for Tahlequah Public Schools and a professor at Northeastern State University. Baker, an alumnus of Northeastern State University, earned his law degree at Oklahoma City University.

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Cherokee Nation Businesses
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