Cherokee Nation Businesses

Cherokee Nation Businesses, LLC, commonly known as CNB, is the commercial holding company of the Cherokee Nation, the largest federally recognized Native American tribe by population in the United States. Headquartered in Catoosa, Oklahoma, CNB oversees a diversified portfolio of tribal enterprises and subsidiaries rather than operating as a conventional publicly traded corporation. Its purpose is to provide strategic direction to Cherokee Nation-owned businesses, broaden the Nation’s commercial base, and recycle business earnings into further investment and tribal-government priorities. CNB’s principal activities cover hospitality and entertainment, gaming, manufacturing and distribution, aerospace and defense contracting, environmental and construction services, information technology, healthcare, management consulting, and security and safety services. Its hospitality portfolio is operated primarily through Cherokee Nation Entertainment and includes casinos, hotels, entertainment venues, retail and convenience operations, golf-related assets, cultural tourism programs, and Will Rogers Downs, a horse-racing and electronic-gaming facility in Claremore, Oklahoma. The portfolio also includes Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tulsa and other Cherokee Casino properties in Oklahoma, as well as Gold Strike Tunica in Mississippi. The manufacturing and distribution activities associated with Cherokee Nation Industries serve commercial and military aerospace customers, telecommunications companies, government agencies, and commercial clients needing office or facility products. These operations include contract manufacturing, electromechanical assembly, component integration, metal fabrication, aerospace supply-chain and procurement services, telecommunications distribution, and office-solutions products. CNB’s federal-services businesses provide professional, technical, medical, information-technology, environmental, construction, staffing, program-management, and consulting capabilities to federal and other government customers. CNB was created on June 16, 2004, under the Cherokee Nation’s corporate-reform framework. The Jobs Growth Act of 2005 subsequently made CNB the holding company for the Nation’s business enterprises, including Cherokee Nation Entertainment and Cherokee Nation Industries. Those two major businesses were transferred into CNB in 2006 and 2008, respectively. In 2010, separate boards governing CNB, CNE, and CNI were consolidated into one CNB board, strengthening centralized oversight. The company is wholly owned by the Cherokee Nation, and its board is appointed by the Principal Chief with approval from the Cherokee Nation Tribal Council. CNB’s commercial model is closely connected to tribal economic development: earnings are used to support expansion, acquisitions, and distributions to the Tribal Government. Legislation increased the required annual dividend from 25 percent of total profits to 30 percent and later to 35 percent, with the additional five percent designated for healthcare services for Cherokee citizens. CNB therefore functions both as a diversified operating group and as an economic instrument supporting Cherokee Nation governmental and community objectives.

Cherokee Nation Businesses was established on June 16, 2004, pursuant to the Cherokee Nation’s corporate-reform framework. Its creation gave the Nation a dedicated holding company responsible for strategic direction across Cherokee Nation-owned businesses, diversification of tribal investments, and reinvestment of operating earnings into existing and new enterprises. The original statutory structure required 25 percent of CNB profits to be paid to the Tribal Government as a dividend. The Cherokee Nation Jobs Growth Act of 2005 expanded CNB’s role by making it the holding company for the Nation’s business enterprises. Cherokee Nation Entertainment, which had been formed in the late 1980s to manage gaming, entertainment, and hospitality operations, was transferred to CNB ownership in 2006. Cherokee Nation Industries, whose predecessor dated to 1969 as the first business entity owned by the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma, was transferred in 2008. These changes placed two major commercial platforms—gaming and manufacturing—within one corporate structure. CNB broadened its environmental and construction capabilities in 2005 through the creation of Cherokee CRC. The division provided environmental consulting, remediation, construction engineering and management, laboratory testing, and scientific research for government and industrial customers. Construction capabilities were expanded in 2008 through Cherokee Nation Construction Services. In the same year, CNB expanded its defense and aerospace supply-chain presence through the acquisition of a majority interest in Aerospace Products, S.E., an Alabama-based supplier of distribution, logistics, and procurement services. The company also developed dedicated security and defense operations. In 2010, CNB established a Security and Defense Division and acquired Cherokee Nation Red Wing, whose activities included manufacturing and assembling electronic components for the Department of Defense and aerospace customers. That year, CNB consolidated previously separate administrative and support operations into a shared structure in Tulsa, while retaining the corporate and gaming centers in Catoosa and the manufacturing headquarters in Stilwell. The separate boards of CNB, Cherokee Nation Entertainment, and Cherokee Nation Industries were also consolidated into one CNB board. CNB’s healthcare and technology portfolios expanded in 2011. Mobility Plus, a Muskogee-based healthcare-equipment supplier, was acquired in November. CNB also purchased ETI Professionals, later renamed Cherokee Nation Government Solutions, and ITX, which was consolidated into Cherokee Services Group. These transactions strengthened staffing, information technology, project-management, and federal-services capabilities. In November 2012, CNB acquired a large building in Tahlequah for potential manufacturing expansion. The Cherokee Nation’s dividend policy evolved alongside CNB’s growth. The Dividend Act increased the annual distribution from 25 percent to 30 percent of total profits. In 2011, the Corporate Health Dividend Act raised the required distribution to 35 percent, earmarking the additional five percent for healthcare services for Cherokee citizens. In March 2012, the sale of CNB’s corporate airplane generated reported proceeds of approximately $1.5 million for supplemental healthcare funding. Governance remains closely linked to the Cherokee Nation. The Principal Chief, subject to approval by the Tribal Council, appoints CNB directors. The company’s business lines continue to combine tribally owned gaming and hospitality assets with manufacturing, federal contracting, environmental, construction, technology, healthcare, and security services. Its role is consequently broader than that of a single-sector brand: CNB is the corporate platform through which the Cherokee Nation manages commercial assets, pursues diversification, and directs economic returns toward tribal priorities.

1. 2012Aircraft sale supports healthcare funding

   CNB sold its corporate aircraft and transferred the reported proceeds to the Cherokee Nation for healthcare support.

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2. 2011Healthcare and technology portfolios expand

   CNB acquired Mobility Plus and two Colorado technology businesses, extending its healthcare and federal-solutions capabilities.

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3. 2010Corporate boards are consolidated

   Separate boards for CNB, Cherokee Nation Entertainment, and Cherokee Nation Industries were replaced by a consolidated CNB board.

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4. 2008Cherokee Nation Industries transfers to CNB

   The manufacturing and distribution enterprise joined CNB’s holding-company structure.

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5. 2006Cherokee Nation Entertainment transfers to CNB

   The Nation’s gaming and hospitality enterprise became a CNB-owned subsidiary.

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6. 2005Jobs Growth Act expands CNB’s holding-company role

   Legislation designated CNB as the holding company for Cherokee Nation business enterprises.

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7. 2004Cherokee Nation Businesses is established

   CNB was created on June 16 as the Cherokee Nation’s diversified business holding company.

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8. 1969Predecessor of Cherokee Nation Industries is established

   The predecessor of the manufacturing and distribution business became the first business entity owned by the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma.

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A tribally owned, diversified economic engine that combines commercial growth with funding and strategic support for Cherokee Nation governmental priorities.

• Cherokee Nation EntertainmentHospitality, gaming, and entertainment

  CNB’s principal hospitality and entertainment subsidiary operates casinos, hotels, entertainment venues, retail and convenience locations, golf-related assets, cultural tourism programs, and Will Rogers Downs. Its Oklahoma portfolio includes Cherokee Casino properties and Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tulsa; the group also operates Gold Strike Tunica in Mississippi. Oklahoma gaming operations are conducted within the regulatory framework applicable to tribal Class III gaming.

• Cherokee Nation IndustriesManufacturing and distribution1969

  The manufacturing and distribution platform supplies commercial and military aerospace customers, government agencies, telecommunications companies, and commercial organizations. Its capabilities include contract manufacturing, electromechanical assembly, component integration, fabricated metal parts, aerospace logistics and procurement, telecommunications distribution, and office and facility solutions.

• Cherokee Nation Aerospace and DefenseAerospace and defense contracting

  This business provides contract manufacturing, electromechanical assembly, and component-integration services for commercial and military aerospace programs. It operates within CNB’s broader manufacturing and distribution platform serving government and defense customers.

• Federal SolutionsGovernment services

  CNB’s federal-solutions businesses provide information technology, management consulting, medical staffing, environmental services, construction support, professional staffing, program management, and technical services to federal and other government customers.

• Cherokee Nation Environmental SolutionsEnvironmental services

  The environmental-services business provides soil testing, storm-water and runoff work, site assessments, storage-tank services, regulatory contracting, long-term monitoring, environmental consulting, hazardous-waste collection and disposal, and related waste-management services.

• Cherokee Nation Construction ServicesConstruction services2008

  This operation provides engineering, scheduling, safety, financial controls, and professional and administrative support for construction projects. Related construction capabilities include preconstruction planning, budgeting, constructability review, design coordination, and construction management.

• Cherokee Nation Government SolutionsInformation technology and staffing

  The company supplies technical services and project personnel for government missions, including science, engineering, construction, information technology, research and development, facilities management, program management, and mission support.

• Mobility PlusHealthcare equipment

  The Muskogee-based healthcare-equipment supplier expanded CNB’s healthcare division after its acquisition in 2011. The available reference material does not specify its current product range or operating status in greater detail.

• 2012Corporate aircraft is sold to support healthcare fundingOther

  Principal Chief Bill John Baker had made the aircraft’s sale part of his 2011 election campaign, and the Cherokee Nation sought additional healthcare funding.

  What changed. CNB sold the corporate airplane and transferred the reported approximately $1.5 million in proceeds to the Cherokee Nation.

  Aftermath. The funds were designated to supplement healthcare services for Cherokee Nation members.

  Aircraft-sale proceeds. Approximately $1.5 million (March 2012)

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• 2011CNB expands healthcare and technology through acquisitionsM&A

  CNB sought to broaden its healthcare and technology activities alongside its established gaming, manufacturing, and federal-services businesses.

  What changed. The company acquired Mobility Plus and purchased ETI Professionals and ITX in November.

  Aftermath. ETI Professionals was renamed Cherokee Nation Government Solutions, while ITX was consolidated into Cherokee Services Group.

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• 2010CNB consolidates operating-company boardsStrategy

  CNB, Cherokee Nation Entertainment, and Cherokee Nation Industries had previously operated with separate boards.

  What changed. The separate boards were dissolved and governance was consolidated under one CNB board.

  Aftermath. The consolidation strengthened unified governance over the holding company and its principal businesses.

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• 2010Construction unit is closedOther

  The construction unit within CNB’s Manufacturing Division experienced continuing financial problems.

  What changed. CNB closed the unit and moved its assets into the Environmental Division.

  Aftermath. Construction-related capabilities continued under the environmental and construction-services structure.

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• 2005CNB becomes the holding company for Cherokee Nation enterprisesStrategy

  The Cherokee Nation sought a centralized structure to diversify its business interests and coordinate tribal commercial assets.

  What changed. Under the Jobs Growth Act, CNB assumed the holding-company role for enterprises including Cherokee Nation Entertainment and Cherokee Nation Industries.

  Aftermath. The change created the framework for a broader multi-industry portfolio and centralized strategic oversight.

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• 2019Cherokee Nation Businesses appoints Chuck Garrett as chief executive officer

  Chuck Garrett became CNB’s chief executive officer, succeeding Shawn Slaton after Slaton’s tenure began in 2011.

  Leadership change
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• 2012Cherokee Nation Businesses sells corporate aircraft

  CNB sold its corporate airplane at the request of Principal Chief Bill John Baker; the reported proceeds were transferred to the Cherokee Nation for healthcare funding.

  Other
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• 2011CNB acquires Mobility Plus and Colorado technology businesses

  The company expanded its healthcare and technology activities through the acquisition of Mobility Plus and two Colorado-based technology businesses.

  M&A
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• 2010CNB closes construction unit in manufacturing division

  CNB announced the closure of a construction unit that had experienced continuing financial problems, transferring its assets to the Environmental Division.

  Other
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1. Cherokee Nation Businesses
2. Cherokee Nation Businesses official website