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John ‘Rocky’ Barrett, CPN Chairman, has announced that Ross O. Swimmer has joined the board of directors of the First National Bank and Trust Co., the United States’ largest tribally-owned national bank. The former special trustee for the American Indian Trust, Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Indian Affairs (BIA), and Cherokee Nation Principal Chief brings decades of experience and pertinent knowledge of governmental and financial affairs at the highest levels to the position, Barrett said.
“I’m convinced that there is no one in America who can match Mr. Swimmer’s relevant experience,” Barrett said. “First National Bank will be able to call on his experience and knowledge as a national Indian affairs figure, former bank president, and accomplished tribal leader.”
Swimmer said he is pleased to join the bank board. “I recall years ago when Chairman Barrett first began talking about acquiring a bank through the Citizen Potawatomi Nation. I strongly encouraged him to pursue a bank, but could not have imagined, at that time, how successful it would be for the Nation. CPN has truly set the path for other tribes to follow and opened the door for Indian tribes to get involved in private sector development,” Swimmer said.
He added, “the entrepreneurial spirit is alive and well at CPN. Some tribes have chosen dependency and fear of becoming independent from the Bureau of Indian Affairs, while others like CPN have chosen to exercise their sovereignty to stand outside the embrace of the BIA and chart their own course. I am very proud to be asked to join the board of CPN’s First National Bank and Trust Company and do whatever I can to add to the growth of the bank and the Nation.”
Recently, Swimmer left his six-year position as special trustee, an office created by Congress in 1994 to facilitate reform of the American Indian Trust.
As trustee, Swimmer was responsible for drafting the first Comprehensive Trust Management Plan (CTM) in accordance with statutory requirements. The CTM was adopted by the Department and is being implemented. Additionally, he led the effort to create the first comprehensive records management and storage of all Indian-related records generated by the government.
Later, Swimmer rejoined NAFA Capital Markets and NAFA Investment Advisors as a partner. In addition, he formed a consulting company called the Swimmer Group, LLC and has a contract with the Cherokee Nation businesses to support their work with the federal government.
Swimmer won the first election in modern history for Cherokee Nation Principal Chief in 1975. He served his Nation in that capacity until 1984.
He served as Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Indian Affairs – BIA Director – from 1984 to 1989, during President Ronald Reagan’s administration.
During his career, Swimmer has served as chairman of First State Bank of Hulbert; president of First National Bank of Tahlequah; general counsel to the Cherokee Nation; principal partner in Arête Telecom, Inc. of Tulsa; president and CEO of Cherokee Nation Industries, Inc.; and of counsel with the law firm of Hall, Estill, Hardwick, Gable, Golden and Nelson, PC of Tulsa.
Swimmer also serves on the University of Tulsa Board of Trustees; The Rensselaerville Institute Board of Trustees (Rensselaerville, NY); Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation Board of Directors; and the Philbrook Museum Board of Trustees, Tulsa.
He has earned awards and honors including Distinguished Service Citation, University of Oklahoma, 1986; Order of the Coif, University of Oklahoma School of Law; Outstanding American Indian Leader, 1985; Distinguished Service Award, Department of the Interior, 1988; Crystal Crown Award, City of Birmingham, Ala., 2000; Constitution Day Award, Rogers State College, 2002; Hall of Fame, Tulsa Historical Society, 2000.
Swimmer earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from the University of Oklahoma in 1965. He earned his Juris Doctorate from the University of Oklahoma School of Law the following year.
John ‘Rocky’ Barrett, CPN Chairman, has announced that Ross O. Swimmer has joined the board of directors of the First National Bank and Trust Co., the United States’ largest tribally-owned national bank. The former special trustee for the American Indian Trust, Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Indian Affairs (BIA), and Cherokee Nation Principal Chief brings decades of experience and pertinent knowledge of governmental and financial affairs at the highest levels to the position, Barrett said.
“I’m convinced that there is no one in America who can match Mr. Swimmer’s relevant experience,” Barrett said. “First National Bank will be able to call on his experience and knowledge as a national Indian affairs figure, former bank president, and accomplished tribal leader.”
Swimmer said he is pleased to join the bank board. “I recall years ago when Chairman Barrett first began talking about acquiring a bank through the Citizen Potawatomi Nation. I strongly encouraged him to pursue a bank, but could not have imagined, at that time, how successful it would be for the Nation. CPN has truly set the path for other tribes to follow and opened the door for Indian tribes to get involved in private sector development,” Swimmer said.
He added, “the entrepreneurial spirit is alive and well at CPN. Some tribes have chosen dependency and fear of becoming independent from the Bureau of Indian Affairs, while others like CPN have chosen to exercise their sovereignty to stand outside the embrace of the BIA and chart their own course. I am very proud to be asked to join the board of CPN’s First National Bank and Trust Company and do whatever I can to add to the growth of the bank and the Nation.”
Recently, Swimmer left his six-year position as special trustee, an office created by Congress in 1994 to facilitate reform of the American Indian Trust.
As trustee, Swimmer was responsible for drafting the first Comprehensive Trust Management Plan (CTM) in accordance with statutory requirements. The CTM was adopted by the Department and is being implemented. Additionally, he led the effort to create the first comprehensive records management and storage of all Indian-related records generated by the government.
Later, Swimmer rejoined NAFA Capital Markets and NAFA Investment Advisors as a partner. In addition, he formed a consulting company called the Swimmer Group, LLC and has a contract with the Cherokee Nation businesses to support their work with the federal government.
Swimmer won the first election in modern history for Cherokee Nation Principal Chief in 1975. He served his Nation in that capacity until 1984.
He served as Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Indian Affairs – BIA Director – from 1984 to 1989, during President Ronald Reagan’s administration.
During his career, Swimmer has served as chairman of First State Bank of Hulbert; president of First National Bank of Tahlequah; general counsel to the Cherokee Nation; principal partner in Arête Telecom, Inc. of Tulsa; president and CEO of Cherokee Nation Industries, Inc.; and of counsel with the law firm of Hall, Estill, Hardwick, Gable, Golden and Nelson, PC of Tulsa.
Swimmer also serves on the University of Tulsa Board of Trustees; The Rensselaerville Institute Board of Trustees (Rensselaerville, NY); Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation Board of Directors; and the Philbrook Museum Board of Trustees, Tulsa.
He has earned awards and honors including Distinguished Service Citation, University of Oklahoma, 1986; Order of the Coif, University of Oklahoma School of Law; Outstanding American Indian Leader, 1985; Distinguished Service Award, Department of the Interior, 1988; Crystal Crown Award, City of Birmingham, Ala., 2000; Constitution Day Award, Rogers State College, 2002; Hall of Fame, Tulsa Historical Society, 2000.
Swimmer earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from the University of Oklahoma in 1965. He earned his Juris Doctorate from the University of Oklahoma School of Law the following year.
