For Immediate Release

Announcing TribalNet’s Industry Award Winners – 2017

Contact: Tracy Kinney Phone: 269-459-9890 Email: [email protected] Dec 14, 2017 – TribalNet announces the winners of the prestigious Industry Awards, recognized at the 18th Annual TribalNet Conference and Tradeshow in Glendale, AZ. One award recipient was named in each of the following categories: Tribal Health IT, Tribal Gaming IT, and Tribal Government IT.

The Department of IT Cherokee Indian Hospital Authority of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, under the leadership of IT Director Hugh Lambert was named as the award winner in the Tribal Health IT category. “We were nominated on the basis of customer service, employee morale and the reorganization of our department,” said Hugh Lambert, Cherokee Indian Hospital IT Director. “We transitioned into a new health facility and during that transition, we closed at 4:30 pm on Friday and opened on Monday and everything worked! It was a once-in-a-career type of move and we pulled it off in three days! This award is a validation of all our hard work.”

The award recipient for Tribal Gaming IT went to Talking Stick Casino of the Salt-River Maricopa Indian Tribe. CIO, Bryant Santini had this to say, “We were deeply honored to receive the 2017 Industry Award and appreciated the recognition. Following the announcement, the Community tribal gaming board, along with our executive management and all of the great teams that make up our organization extended their congratulations to the IT department. Many of the employees within the organization made it a point to reach out to members of the IT team to thank them for the jobs they do each and every day. The recognition and appreciation shown by our fellow team members on this project and many like it are what makes this a great place to work.” Lastly, in the area of Tribal Government IT, the award winner was the Forest County Potawatomi IT Team. CIO, Chris Luter stated, “As an IT team it is always rewarding when you receive industry and peer recognition. More important than that though, this award for my team is a point of pride because it allows us to showcase the difference we are making within our roles and showcase how we as an IT department are working to make a difference within the tribe we serve.”

The TribalNet advisory boards reviewed all applications submitted on behalf of tribal IT teams and selected the top nominees in each category. “The awards have been a tradition at the Annual Conference and Tradeshow since 2008,” said Mike Day Executive Officer of TribalNet. “These awards represent the long standing notion that peer-to-peer networking, recognition and comradery are the foundation of the TribalNet organization.”

Previous award winners include: Cherokee Nation Businesses IT Department, Soboba Band of Luiseno Indians IT Department, Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community IT Department, Mohegan Tribe IS Team, Viejas Information Technology Services Team, Pechanga Resort & Casino IT Department, Trinidad Rancheria IT Department, Blue Lake Rancheria, Yurok Tribe IS Department, Snoqualmie Tribe, Confederated Tribe of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, Chickasaw Nation IT Department, Isleta Resort & Casino IT Department, Sacramento Native American Health Center, Inc. (SNAHC) IS Department, Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi (NHBP) IT Department, Mille Lacs Corporate Ventures IT Department, and Forest County Potawatomi IT Department.

About TribalNet

Through the annual conference, year-round membership, magazine and industry partnerships, TribalNet is an industry resource connecting technology leaders at tribal organizations, health facilities, casinos and enterprises nationwide with technology solution providers specific to the industry. The 19th Annual Conference and Tradeshow will be held Nov 5 – 8, 2018 at the Hard Rock Hotel Casino in Las Vegas. For more information, visit TribalNet online at: www.tribalnetonline.com