Cherokee Nation Businesses
| Company type | Limited liability company |
|---|---|
| Industry | Conglomerate (aerospace and defense, hospitality and entertainment, environmental and construction services, information technology, healthcare, security) |
| Founded | June 16, 2004 |
| Headquarters | Catoosa, Oklahoma , United States |
Key people | Chuck Garrett (CEO), Sam Hart (Board chairman) |
| Products | Casinos, hotels, aerospace manufacturing, IT services, environmental consulting, security services, real estate management |
| Owner | Cherokee Nation |
Cherokee Nation Businesses, LLC (CNB) is a U.S.-based conglomerate holding company located in Catoosa, Oklahoma. As a wholly owned entity of the Cherokee Nation, the most populous Native American tribe in the country, CNB oversees a diverse portfolio of subsidiaries spanning aerospace and defense, hospitality and entertainment, environmental and construction services, information technology, healthcare, and security industries.
History
Established on June 16, 2004, CNB functions as the strategic holding entity for businesses owned by the Cherokee Nation, aiming to broaden tribal commercial ventures and manage investments effectively. At its inception, CNB allocated 25% of its earnings as dividends to the Tribal Government. Subsequent to the Jobs Growth Act of 2005, CNB took full ownership of Cherokee Nation Entertainment (CNE) by 2006 and Cherokee Nation Industries (CNI) by 2008, eventually unifying their boards under CNB’s governance by 2010. The Dividend Act of 2005 increased annual dividend distributions to 30%, with a further increase to 35% in 2011 to enhance healthcare funding.
In 2005, CNB bolstered its Environmental and Construction Division by incorporating Cherokee CRC, which provides consulting and remediation services to both government agencies and private sector clients. The Manufacturing Division expanded through acquisitions such as Aerospace S.E., Inc., based in Alabama in 2008, strengthening its defense contracting portfolio. By 2010, CNB consolidated support functions in Tulsa while sustaining manufacturing operations in Stilwell and gaming activities in Catoosa.
The Security and Defense Division was initiated in 2010, delivering property security and defense contracting solutions through Cherokee Nation Red Wing. In 2012, CNB launched a telecommunications distribution hub at MidAmerica Industrial Park to support manufacturing and logistics. The healthcare sector grew with the purchase of Mobility Plus in 2011. That same year marked technological advancement via acquisitions of Colorado’s ETI Professionals Inc. and ITX Inc., enhancing federal IT service offerings.
Under Principal Chief Bill John Baker’s administration, CNB increased dividend contributions to the tribe for healthcare purposes and divested its corporate aircraft in 2012 to further fund these initiatives. Additionally, CNB acquired a substantial manufacturing facility in Tahlequah to support operational growth.
Corporate affairs
The Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation appoints members of CNB’s Board of Directors subject to Tribal Council approval. Since 2012, Sam Hart has served as board chairman. Chuck Garrett assumed the role of CEO in August 2019, succeeding Shawn Slaton. Garrett holds academic credentials from the University of Oklahoma and Harvard Law School and brings prior experience in real estate investment and banking before joining CNB in 2013.
For the fiscal year ending 2011, CNB reported net earnings of $91.5 million on revenues totaling $653.5 million, achieving a robust profit margin of approximately 14%.
Hospitality
Chief Operating Officer: Mark Fulton
The Hospitality Division within CNB oversees retail outlets, hotels, gaming establishments, and entertainment venues primarily through Cherokee Nation Entertainment (CNE). CNE operates ten casinos throughout Oklahoma—including Hard Rock Hotel Tulsa—and Gold Strike Tunica located in Mississippi. The division manages various hospitality-related enterprises such as hotels, horse racing tracks equipped with electronic gaming devices, golf courses, retail stores, and cultural tourism initiatives. Subsidiaries under CNE include Will Rogers Downs LLC (focused on horse racing) and Cherokee Hotels (hotel management). All operations adhere to federal regulations under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act as well as compliance with the Mississippi Gaming Commission where applicable.
Manufacturing and Distribution
Division President: Chris Moody
This division caters to commercial and defense aerospace industries, telecommunications companies, government bodies, and private sector clients by providing manufacturing and distribution services. It traces its origins to the tribe’s inaugural business established in 1969 and functions under the umbrella of Cherokee Nation Industries (CNI), a certified defense contractor for the U.S. Department of Defense.
Primary subsidiaries include:
- Cherokee Nation Aerospace and Defense (CNAD) – specializes in contract manufacturing for military aerospace applications
- Cherokee Nation Metalworks (CNMW) – focuses on fabrication for aircraft and missile systems
- Cherokee Nation Office Solutions (CNOS) – supplies office products and facility management services
- Cherokee Nation Telecommunications (CNT) – distributes communication equipment
- Aerospace Products S.E. (APSE) – majority-owned logistics provider serving aerospace defense sectors
Federal Solutions
The Federal Solutions segment of CNB delivers IT services, management consulting, medical staffing, environmental support, construction oversight, security solutions, and program assistance predominantly to U.S. federal agencies.
Key subsidiaries include:
- Cherokee Medical Services (CMS) – provides clinical staffing solutions to federal clients
- Cherokee Nation Assurance (CNA) – offers management consulting for defense and civilian markets
- Cherokee Nation Environmental Solutions (CNES) – handles environmental compliance and waste management
- Cherokee Nation Government Solutions (CNGS) – supplies technical staffing for government initiatives
- Cherokee Nation Mission Solutions (CNMS) – delivers diplomatic support services internationally
- Cherokee Services Group (CSG) – provides nationwide IT and business support services
Real Estate
Senior Real Estate Development Manager: Brian Hunt
Operating through Cherokee Nation Property Management (CNPM), the Real Estate Division manages a portfolio exceeding three million square feet of commercial real estate, emphasizing development, acquisitions, leasing operations, and sustainable revenue growth strategies.
Security and Defense
Division President: Russell Claybrook
This division delivers nationwide security products and defense contracting services, including lifecycle support for aviation weapons systems. Its components include:
- Cherokee Nation Defense Solution (CNDS) – specializes in site infrastructure security
- Cherokee Nation Red Wing (CNRW) – provides aviation engineering and manufacturing contracting
- Cherokee Nation Security and Defense (CNSD) – manages both internal and external security operations
Environmental and Construction
Division President: Cheryl Cohenour
Focusing on environmental consulting, construction management, engineering services, safety oversight, budget control, and general contracting, this division operates through Cherokee CRC and Cherokee Nation Construction Services.
Technology
Division President: Steven Bilby
The Technology Division delivers end-to-end IT solutions with an emphasis on program management and research & development support for federal and commercial clients via:
- Cherokee Services Group (CSG) – software creation and network administration
- Cherokee Nation Technologies (CNT) – provides professional IT service offerings
- Cherokee Nation Technology Solutions (CNTS) – supports technical projects for defense and civilian agencies
- Cherokee Nation Government Solutions (CNGS) – offers technical assistance for government science and engineering programs
Cultural & Economic Development
- Visit Cherokee Nation, which manages six museums
- Osiyo, Voices of the Cherokee People, a documentary series
- Cherokee Springs Plaza
- Cherokee Nation Film Office
Renewable Energy
Cherokee Nation Businesses (CNB) ventured into renewable energy in 2011. The Cherokee Nation Tribal Council granted CNB approval to develop a $144 million hydroelectric dam on the Arkansas River in Sequoyah County, Oklahoma. This facility is projected to generate between $10 and $15 million in yearly revenue and was scheduled for completion by 2015. After receiving Tribal Council authorization in 2012, CNB also initiated plans for a wind energy farm located in Kay County, Oklahoma, with financial support from a U.S. Department of Energy grant. Once operational, this wind project is expected to yield annual income ranging from $16 to $19 million.