As a community based non-profit organization, the Phoenix Indian Center, Inc., has a governing board comprising of up to 20 board of directors. A majority of the Board of Directors must enrolled members from tribal lands. The board of directors continually has extensive education and professional experience in their respective fields and operates not only as a strategic think tank, moving the center towards the future but also using their skills on working committees. The Center board of directors has four subcommittees that are quite active regarding the direction of the organization.
The organization is operated and managed by a Chief Executive Officer and a Management Team comprised of senior level staff. The Center operates an array of programs and services intended to both facilitate the transition of newcomers to the Phoenix area and improve the quality of life for those who have resided in the valley over periods of time. The overall agency goal is to increase self-sufficiency of those clients we serve. In addition, the Center collaborates with other Indian and non-Indian agencies to create economic and social opportunities for the urban Indian community. The Phoenix Indian Center, Inc. is comprised of four departments: Native Workforce Services, Educational and School-based Prevention Services, Social Services and Administration. The Center currently has approximately 55 full and part-time employees and a majority are American Indians representing various tribes.
Board of Directors
The Phoenix Indian Center is governed by 20 member Board of Directors. At any time, the majority of the Board members must be members of tribal Nations. As seats become open to on the Board a Nomination Committee is formed to seek interested community members to apply for Board seats. All interested persons can apply at any time. As seats are considered for the Board of Directors, the Nomination committee completes a survey of current members, assessing their skill area, attempting to fill seats with needed skills levels. The Board of Directors operates as a strategic think tank, moving the center towards the future. All members are also required to sit on a working committee that meets monthly (at a minimum). The full Board of Directors meets quarterly plus an annual strategic planning meeting. If you are interested in applying to the Board of Directors, please contact Patricia Hibbeler, CEO.
2009 & 2010 Meeting Dates
Membership Application [pdf]
Member Responsibilities [pdf]
President
Mr. Robert Roessel
Salt River Project
Navajo
Mr. Roessel is a Registered Professional Engineer with Salt River Project, which is the nation's third-largest public power utility and one of Arizona's largest water suppliers. He has been with SRP for approximately 25 years. His experience is broad and includes areas as pre-design activities, design, contract development and procurement, project engineering, project management, and management of such projects as transmission and distribution electrical power system facilities, hydro-betterment projects, and coal-fired environmental retro-fit projects.
Bob exemplifies strong management skills and leadership qualities within his engineering and project management profession, but also provides dedicated volunteer efforts in support of
non-profit community services and organizations. He is currently Vice Chair of the Board of Directors for Western Council of Construction Consumers (WCCC), which provides resources and support to assist industry in professional development, improve operations, safety and quality, cost effective construction. SRP received the 2006 Volunteer of the Year from the WCCC. The WCCC has membership in California, Arizona, Nevada and Colorado. He also has been a member of the College of Engineering Industrial Council for Northern Arizona University.
He serves on the Executive Committee for the Construction in Indian Country (CIIC). The volunteer committee is made up of Arizona State University representatives, industry leaders and select contractors that are currently doing work in Indian country. The committee provides guidance and direction to the establishment of an annual conference and education endowment to provide scholarships to Indian students seeking to obtain a Construction Management degree from ASU’s Del E. Webb School of Construction. One of CIIC initiatives is to “grow their own professional construction managers”, which provides opportunities for Indian students to go back to their native home with “additional tools” and effectively manage their own tribe’s construction. Conference attendees also learn skills necessary to augment their own construction company, or improve their professional knowledge to assist with their CM career.
He is an active member of the Indian Education Parent Advisory Committee of the Laveen Elementary School District, and the Laveen Lions Club. He is a professional member of the American Society of Civil Engineers and the American Institute of Steel Construction.
Bob obtained a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from University of New Mexico. Bob is Navajo, originally from the Round Rock, Arizona and currently resides in Laveen, Arizona with his wife, Michele and daughter Katelyn and son Matthew.
President Elect
Ms. Linda Dayish Benally
Pinnacle West Capital Corporation
Navajo
Linda Dayish Benally, in-house counsel for Pinnacle West Capital Corporation, practices in Safety & Health Law and Contracts Law. She is a member of the State Bar of Arizona, the National Native American Bar Association and the American Bar Association. Prior to beginning her legal career, Linda held management positions and as a human resources professional with APS. Originally from Shiprock, New Mexico on the Diné Nation, she has resided in the Valley for 16 years. She is active in civic organizations in Metro Phoenix.
Treasurer
Mr. Tim Jayne
Market President Wells Fargo
Tim Jayne, is the Market President of the NE Metro Market with Wells Fargo. Tim brings 34 years of banking experience, beginning with First National Bank of Arizona, First Interstate Bank and Wells Fargo.
A 50 year Arizona East Valley resident and past President Apache Junction Chamber of Commerce.
Tim is also a past President of Kiwanis Club of Aurora-Phoenix.
Secretary
Jason Meyers
Desert School Federal Credit Union
A graduate of San Diego State University, Meyers is director of public relations for Desert Schools Federal Credit Union based in Phoenix. His career includes serving as director of marketing communications at the Heard Museum specializing in Native Cultures & Art. Meyers also served as senior copy editor of creative services for Gannett-owned Arizona Republic, azcentral.com and KPNX-TV. Prior to those positions he spent a decade in the radio industry in Phoenix, Tucson and San Diego as a Top 40 on-air personality and production director (a.k.a. “Kid Corona”). He is also a 2004 graduate of the Phoenix FBI Citizens’ Academy and has partnered with law enforcement to increase understanding of Native issues in urban areas as well as throughout Indian Country. He resides in Northeast Phoenix with his wife and two children.
Paul Bullis
US Attorney’s Office
Paul Bullis has been fighting to protect Arizona’s citizens for over 20 years. Today, Paul is an attorney with the US Attorney’s Office.
A Phi Beta Kappa graduate of the University of Arizona, and a Georgetown University Law Center cum laude graduate, Paul returned to Arizona in 1982 to begin a career in public service. He first worked with the Legal Aid Farmworker Program, then with the Arizona Department of Water Resources.
Paul then served 11 years as an attorney for the Arizona Corporation Commission - the last 7 as Chief Counsel. His job was to provide and coordinate all legal advice and representation on matters regarding utilities regulation. He was instrumental in drafting, implementing and defending rules designed to restructure Arizona’s electrical industry from monopoly to competitive mode.
In 1999 he was recruited by then-Attorney General Janet Napolitano. Paul headed the Public Advocacy Division at the Arizona Attorney General’s Office. His responsibilities included enforcement of antitrust and consumer protection laws, and civil and criminal enforcement of environmental laws. He was also appointed Chairman of the Arizona Power Plant and Line Siting Committee.
In 2003, Governor Napolitano appointed Paul Director of the Arizona Department of Gaming, the state agency that partners with Indian tribes to regulate Arizona’s 22 Indian Casinos. Paul directed a staff of 100 and a budget of $11 million.
Paul and his wife Mary live in Mesa. His daughter Leah attends Georgetown University, and his son David attends the University of Arizona.
Steve Geiogamah
City of Scottsdale
Kiowa
Steve Geiogamah, a member of the Kiowa Nation of Oklahoma is a career economic development manager working with Native American Communities and City municipalities. Mr. Geiogamah has assisted with the development of various tribal enterprises and City economic vitality projects while working as a Senior Executive for the Salt River Pima Maricopa Indian Community, the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation and the City of Scottsdale.
Mr. Geiogamah currently serves as a Board Member for the Phoenix Indian Center and the Wings to Fly Non-Profit Organization. Mr. Geiogamah has also served as a Board Member for the Greater Phoenix Multi-Cultural and Arts Foundation, Arizona Tourism Alliance, Arizona American Indian Tourism Association and as a member of the Tribal Advisory Committee for the Arizona Office of Tourism.
Mr. Geiogamah received a Bachelors of Science degree in Business Economics from Northern Arizona University and has a Master in Business Administration from the University of Phoenix.
Urban Giff
Gila River Indian Community
Ms. Jean Nahomni Mani
Gila River Telecommunications
Crow Creek Sioux
Jean M. Nahomni Mani is a member of the Dakota Sioux Nation and is originally from Fort Thompson SD. She presently lives in Tempe AZ working for Gila River Telecommunications, Inc. as the Marketing Manager. Jean's family is two sons, Kory and Jerel Damon who live with her in Tempe and her daughter Raeshel Damon who resides in Provo Utah.
She works with the Russell Moore Music Fest which features Native American musicians and artisans. Jean enjoys dancing Northern Plains women’s traditional, going to powwows, writing Native American children's stories, photography and making Native American dolls. For many years, Jean is a volunteer for the Young Women’s program of the Papago Ward Church in the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community.
Mr. Ramon Martinez
Casino Arizona
Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community
Ramon Martinez is Director of Public Relations for Casino Arizona and the Talking Stick Resort where he serves as a spokesperson and liaison at all official functions sponsored by the enterprises while also increasing name recognition of both properties through work with the media. Ramon is member of the Salt River Pima Maricopa Indian Community (SRPMIC) and has worked on behalf of the Community in several capacities. He has served as community relations assistant director, a member of SRPMIC tribal council, public relations manager and most recently as marketing manager, where he designed and implemented programs to attract new and repeat guest visits.
Mr. Richard L. Todd
Universal Background Screening
My name is Dick Todd and I have been a Pic Board member for 4 years and have enjoyed every moment working to help Native Americans succeed and make a better lifestyle for all. I was raised in Albuquerque New Mexico and Graduated from St. Louis University with a degree in Business. I later became a Phoenix Police Detective Working Vice and Narcotics for 9 years. In 1972 I opened Arizona Investigations doing background checks on new employees. I recently sold my Company and I am still employed by Universal dealing with Drug Testing and clearing new employees for employment.
I am married to Deb Todd with 7 children all grown and 6 grandchildren.
Rick DeGraw
SCF Arizona
Rick DeGraw is Senior Vice President, Public Affairs, and Chief of Staff at SCF Arizona. He came to SCF Arizona in February 2006 to create and oversee the Communications & Public Affairs Division, after spending 14 years as the director of marketing and communications for the Maricopa Community Colleges. DeGraw worked as a marketing consultant with SCF beginning in May 2004. A former Arizona Senate staff member, DeGraw founded his own business, Roots Development, where he provided political and public service consulting. He has participated in nearly 400 candidate or issue-oriented campaigns. DeGraw is also a former Arizona State University faculty member. He has a master’s degree in divinity from Princeton University and a master’s degree in social work from Rutgers University.
