CNEDA: Meet the Team

Chairman Gonzalez has extensive experience in energy businesses, and he is a recognized expert in tribal and federal government relations.  He has been instrumental in business development in the tribal, state, and federal spaces.  His extensive career, spanning several decades, has been marked by a remarkable ability to cultivate collaboration among tribal communities, industry, and federal agencies.  His energy expertise includes significant experience in midstream project development alongside historical preservation, environmental review, and mitigation strategies, aptly navigating intricate regulatory and business development landscapes necessary for successful project execution.  

Reflective of his tribal relations work, Chairman Gonzalez spearheaded the creation of the “To Bridge a Gap” conference—an innovative, nationwide forum that strengthens government‑to-government relations among tribal nations and the United States Forest Service.  He has collaborated with the Pentagon on environmental and cultural issues affecting tribes nationwide and he played a pivotal role in establishing Oklahoma’s first Tribal Historic Preservation Office under Section 101(d)2 of the National Historic Preservation Act.  His advocacy before the United States House of Natural Resources Committee regarding compliance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) has helped shape federal policy in the area, while his work with the Federal Bureau of Investigation has supported efforts to combat looting on federal lands. 

Chairman Gonzalez maintains a unique position as the owner of the only Native-owned company holding membership in the Interstate Gas Association of America.  His expertise in energy development and tribal consultation has made him a valued advisor to the United States Department of Energy, culminating in his role as a guest speaker at the 2015 inaugural tribal energy summit, and his recent appointment to the Department of Energy’s  Fossil Energy and Carbon Management Tribal Working Group, whose priorities include explore issues associate and funding opportunities associated with methane mitigation, repurposing existing energy assets slated for retirement, critical mineral production and processing, development of carbon capture, transport and storage infrastructure. 

Zackeree Kelin is a member of the Caddo Nation of Oklahoma and the Vice-Chairman of the Caddo Nation Economic Development Authority.  He is a founding partner at the Davis Kelin Law Firm, where his legal work centers on complex litigation.  He has garnered recognition from Superlawyers, Martindale-Hubbell, and Best Lawyers.  His body of work includes obtaining published judicial opinions in the areas of tort law, New Mexico’s Inspection of Public Records Act, and Indian law.  His industry involvement includes litigation concerning trespass and condemnation litigation relating to rights-of-way in Indian country, Nuclear Regulatory Commission licensure, and litigation under the National Environmental Protection Act.

Zackeree began his legal journey at DNA-Peoples Legal Services, Inc., the largestpoverty law program in Indian country, where he represented clients before various courts and administrative bodies in areas such as poverty law, Indian law, andenvironmental law.  While attending law school at the University of Iowa, he gainedexperience clerking for the Native American Rights Fund and the Winnebago Tribe ofNebraska. 

Zackeree is a recipient on the Native American “40 under 40” award by the National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development.  He has held leadership roles at several organizations, including the National Council at the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian, the University of Iowa Alumni Leadership Council, the Board of Directors for Native American Disability Law Center, and the New Mexico Trial Lawyers Association.  Zackeree was appointed as a Commissioner on the New Civil Rights Commission, which lead to the passage of the New Mexico Civil Rights Act, and he served recently as a special prosecutor in New Mexico’s Second Judicial District. 

Zackeree has been instrumental in the Nation securing $3.7 million dollars for the tribe’s orphan well program, as well as grants for other energy and environmental initiatives, and serves as the project manager for the tribe’s Orphan Well Development and Implementation grants. 

Joel Smith is a Caddo Nation tribal member with over 17 years of experience in commercialcredit, lending, and management.  He is a Senior Vice President and Chief Credit Officer of Bank and President of President of Community Development at the Native American.  He is anexpert in financing projects and economic development in Indian country brings his experience to CNEDA as a Banking Financial Investment Strategist.

Joel holds an M.B.A. in finance from the University of Colorado Denver, and a dual M.B.A in finance and accounting from the University of Oklahoma.  He is an alumnus of the Graduate School of Banking at Colorado, and he holds an RMA Credit Risk Certification designation.

In addition, Joel serves on the boards of directors for the Rocky Mountain Indian Chamber of Commerce and the Denver Indian Center, a non-profit devoted to serving Denver’s Native population.  He currently also serves of the loan committees for Oweesta and for NDN Fund, nationwide non-profits focused on Indian country development. 

Joel was named to the 2015 Native American “40 under 40” by the National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development. 

David Bogle brings over four decades of distinguished business and institutional leadership to the Caddo Nation Economic Development Authority (CNEDA).  His extensive experience in the industry positions him as a vital asset in driving economic growth and fostering sustainablecommunity development. 

David established Garden City Nursery, which has been a cornerstone of horticultural excellence in northwest Arkansas for more than 45 years.  Additionally, David's interests extend to real estate investment. 

David is also the founder of the Museum of Native American History (MONAH) in Rogers, Arkansas.  As an enrolled member of the Cherokee Nation, he has dedicated himself to the preservation of and education relating to Native culture, curating an impressive collection of over 10,000 artifacts housed within the museum.  

Stephen Ward has over 30 years of experience in Native law, with a focus on business, finance, and development within Indian country.  His recent projects have includedsome of the largest tribal gaming and resort developments, and leading over $1.5 billionin financings in the past five years.  His practice aims to provide tribes with the legalexpertise and resources necessary for their growth and development. 

Steve established the firm’s Indian law practice some 20 years ago, and it now has clientsacross all four continental time zones.  Both Steve and the practice group are nationallyranked by Chambers and Partners in the Chambers USA Guides, which is a leading legal ranking service.  He has been listed in The Best Lawyers in America directory since 2010.  Additionally, he was recognized law by The Best Lawyers in America as a Lawyer of the Year in 2021 and 2024 for his contributions in the areas of Indian law and gaming. 

Throughout his career, Steve has supported tribal governments with legal management,serving as general counsel to multiple tribes, including the Caddo Nation of Oklahoma.  Recently, he has aided clients in establishing new enterprises to generate non‑gaming revenue.  Steve has worked in the field of Native oil and gas, and he served as a trustee of the Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Foundation.  He has also handled significant Indian law litigation throughout his career.