< PreviousWe would like to thank Jocelyn for taking the time to do this interview. She welcomes your questions and comments and can be reached at: jocelyn.young@gric.nsn.usJOCELYN YOUNGMIS DirectorGila River Indian CommunityWhat can you tell us about your IT team? Our team, made up of 41 positions, provides support and service to all areas of the community; including areas such as tribal government, land management, judicial branch, public works, housing, education, back of house functions, enrollment, public safety and beyond. We are currently setup with different sections for each area of focus within IT; Network, Security/Data Center, Administration, Database (including In-House Database Development) and Technical Support. We also are kicking off a new data center project for the Community. I report directly to the Community Manager. The community employs over 2,100 individuals and offers many membership services. Our infrastructure is the backbone that allows some of those services that use technology to be deployed.What can you tell us about the technology you have in place?We are a Cisco shop when it comes to our infrastructure and a Dell, Panasonic and Apple shop when it comes to our desktops. We are in the midst of moving to a more virtual environment as well as replacing end of life hardware to help in power consumption. We are still making this transition but already are starting to notice some differences and improvements in efficiency. What are the top projects your team is focusing on currently?We are just getting started with a large capital project for our new datacenter. That will be a major focus of resources for us this year but will be a big improvement for us in the end. We have some new installs and upgrades coming up but the one we are probably spending the most time evaluating is the move to Windows 10 and Office 2013. What advice would you have for your peers in the industry?My experience in the IT department at the tribe started in the database section as the manager for nine database coordinators. As an IT Manager for eight years I moved on to the IT Director.. To anyone new to the position of IT Director for any organization, I would say to be prepared to wear many hats at a moment’s notice!MIS DIRECTOR, JOCELYN YOUNGGila River Indian CommunityIT LEADER Q & A10TribalNetAbout the Tribal Seal for the Gila River Indian Community: (This information was sourced directly from: http://www.gilariver.org/index.php/about/tribal-seal)The Gila River Indian Community Seal was adopted when the Community was formed in 1939. It was designed by former Council member from District #5 (Casa Blanca), William Pablo, to depict the changing of the environment from that of a dry desert to green life supporting fields through agriculture.The mountain range represents the various mountain ranges which are located throughout the reservation. These mountain ranges are considered to be very sacred by the Pima. Each mountain was given its own O’otham name by the Huhugam(Ancient Ones).Today, they are known as the Santan Mountains (JuJulgigk “Zig Zag Connected”) , located on the northern reservation boudnary; Sacaton Mountains: Sacaton Peak (Smuk “Pointed”), Agency Peak (Gasso Ki “Fox Butte”), Hayden Peak and the Sierra Estrella Mountains (Komatke) on the west. Others are Gila Butte (Ahgi “Thin”), Pima Butte (Al Ahgi “Little Thin”), Yellow Peak (Hothysaie “Pebbles Thrown At”), and Chev Skomack (“Tall Grey”) which is located adjacent to the Santan Mountains.The Cactus and Greasewood bush symbolizes the vegetation which is common to the desert.The Sun and the color Blue illustrate that this is being a desert area, the sun is always shining and blue skies are over head most of the year.The Grid and the color Green is representative of the Pima, and our ancestors the Huhugam, as being an agricultural people. The Huhugam were known for the great ca-nals and irrigation system which they built. To this day, the Pima are farmers of the land, raising such crops as corn, barley, wheat, cotton, watermelon, cantaloupe, and beans.When the economy started changing, the old days of running IT were forever gone. As IT professionals, we were forced to be more cognizant of our dollars to ensure we were investing into technology wisely. We had to look at the way we were deliver-ing services to our clients to ensure we were effectively using our resources while still being able to keep up with the latest trends in business technology. Perhaps the biggest change is that we could no longer afford to be a cost center. A modern IT operation has to show value. My company, in particular, looked at things globally and moved down the path of delivering a shared services model. I would regularly hear the phrase “what is your value-add?” After all, a shared services model is about delivering a higher value of services to a shared group of clients. The challenge, of course, is that deter-mining value can vary widely based on an individual’s perception and the level of understanding they have with what goes into a successful IT services offering. What I think may be valuable isn’t necessarily valu-able to someone else. So, the key question is: how do you go about measuring value if it is based on someone else’s perception? According to Business Dictionary, value is “the extent to which a good or service is perceived by its customer to meet his or her needs or wants, as demonstrated by the customer’s willingness to pay for it.” Or, simply put, a valuable service is one which a customer is willing to pay for. If you treat managing IT similar to running a stand-alone business, you would understand what services you offer as a business and what costs go into those services in order to set a price. Even if IT is not a separate business within your organization, going through this process to identify prices will provide useful decision-making data. The data, when presented to the business in either a show back or bill back manner, will enable cost transparency and build greater understand-ing of the value IT brings. The business can then make informed decisions on what services they need based on aligning with their strategic objectives, while IT can make decisions on what is needed to run it. These activities are essential for driving insight, which leads to showing both the perceived and intrinsic value of IT services. The framework I described comes from IT Financial Management (ITFM) practices. ITFM originally stemmed from Information Technology Infrastructure Library (ITIL). Like ITIL, ITFM is a framework in which the organization can pick and choose what fits its needs, only utilizing the practices that make sense. The annual budgeting process provides a prime example of this practice. IT under-stands the current utilization of services and the forecasted needs based on trends of how the business is consuming the ser-vices (e.g. growth rate of storage). However, we also need to account for the services as it relates to new initiatives. We should be preparing our budget in close coordination with the business. Ideally, this would be after the business has completed its annual budgeting or planning to better understand the company’s initiatives and objectives. In doing so, we can assemble the IT budget based on the holistic needs of the business, as described in the business plan. Once the IT budget is presented, the business can then make informed decisions about which services they want to maintain, add or remove. This allows for business value alignment as decision makers are empowered to select the services they find value in and then pay for them accordingly. ITFM practices have other benefits, as well. It drives behaviors with buying deci-sions, vendor decisions and strategy align-ment. It enables accountability for both the business, as well as IT, by helping the IT FINANCEShowing Value: What Does It Really Mean?FEATURED COLUMNSANGIE MCKIBBENSChief Innovation OfficerMille Lacs Corporate Ventures12Angie McKibbens, Chief Innovation Officer, Mille Lacs Corporate VenturesTribalNetbusiness and the provider to live within an agreed upon scope and cost for services. IT is accountable for becoming better investors through the decisions they make on technology. They need to demonstrate the value of services consumed to the company and advise the company about how the budget could be better spent (if appropriate). IT should be in continuous improvement mode by making technology decisions that support the company’s bottom line. Probably one of the biggest benefits of using ITFM practices is being able to effectively communicate with business leaders. Busy leaders usually don’t care to hear the “technobabble.” They don’t always understand what goes into running IT and the associated expenses. If IT is able to present its budget in the form of services, these discussions change. For instance, moving the conversation from travel and training to strategy alignment and value. Statistics show that starting to implement ITFM can drive the bottom line, including operational improvement, upwards of 10 percent. For those who have started their journey, they could double their current savings by moving up the maturity chain. If you ask me, that is the very definition of showing value.IT FINANCEFEATURED COLUMNSAngie serves as the Chief Innovation Officer (CIO) for Mille Lacs Corporate Ventures (MLCV). In this position, she leads MLCV’s innovation practice across all businesses in IT Service Management, Project Management, Business Process Management and IT Management. Angie has more than 20 years of experience in the informtion technology industry, primarily focused on innovation and business efficiencies.SECURITYWITHOUTCOMPROMISECall to schedule a free application and risk analysis of your network (571) 449-8375.fortinet.com/solutions/federal.htmlGET THE HIGHEST-LEVEL PROTECTION TO MEET FEDERAL REGULATIONSPRODUCT SPOTLIGHTMIP Fund AccountingDistributed and serviced by Software Simplified, MIP Fund Accounting (MIP) is a financial management solution preferred by nonprofit, small government and tribal nations for planning and managing budgets, maximizing grants, and producing accurate customized reports in minutes. Unlike off-the-shelf commercial products, MIP allows organizations to track and report on multiple funds across multiple budget periods. MIP is easy-to-use and can assist you in increasing efficiencies, reducing your workload, and providing you with accurate reporting in order to maximize your effectiveness as an organization. With our fund accounting software solution, you will be better able to:• Efficiently produce accurate reports for both internal and external key stakeholders that meet GASB 34 requirements• Demonstrate accountability with unlimited budget versions and flexibility to accurately track and report on multiple cost centers through varying budget periods• Maintain a clear audit trail no matter how simple or complex the fund allocation, grant administration, or data segmentation for your organization• Configure and customize your system to work exactly the way you need it to, while tracking data and reporting appropriately• Automate tasks by using features such as special function keys, distribution tables, and automatic offset entries to maximize efficiency and accuracyWho We AreSoftware Simplified is a consulting firm specializing in financial management and time tracking. Industries served include the legal sector, nonprofit orga-nizations, small governments and tribal nations. As an authorized Sage Software Business Partner since 1999, Software Simplified works directly with public and private organizations fully understand-ing the unique financial reporting and management requirements imposed today. Our professional service team includes financial executives, informa-tion technologists, business managers and grants developers. Most recently we have become Business Partners with Microix, ACOM, and Abila (formerly Sage NonProfit Solutions). We know that it’s never easy to change accounting solutions – they are so important to the critical processes within your finance office. No one wants to start all over again if they don’t have to. We want to make the transition to MIP Fund Accounting solution as easy as possible. You don’t just need a product, but a dedicated business partner like Software Simplified to ensure the success of your finance office. We have fund accounting and technology experts to help ensure a transition to a new accounting solution is as easy as possible. And, you don’t necessarily have to start over. The transition to MIP is easy because you can keep your existing chart of accounts in place, allowing you to continue to report the specific funds, grants, or other segments that you need, and staff members the relief of not having to remember new general ledger codes. Or not…In our experience, we have also found that some tribal finance offices desire to fully revamp their general ledger codes, and that’s okay too. Software Simplified takes four simple steps with you to move over to MIP Fund Accounting:1. DISCOVERY SESSION2. DATA CONVERSION3. ONSITE AND/OR REMOTE TRAINING4. ONGOING SUPPORTValue to the Native American Market:As a self-governing tribe, you must create a trustworthy internal activities reporting system which allows you to man-age the development and implementation of self-governance policies and proce-dures, as well as enable staff to manage the development and operation of tribal government programs and services. This enables you to measure your progress toward your goals and objectives, evaluate the performance of the staff assigned to operate the programs, and determine the appropriate development of self-governance.www.softsimp.comCOMPANYSoftware SimplifiedCONTACTVicki Shipman 530-227-5221 (Mobile) 209-229-8370 (Office)Vicki@softsimp.comReferences of Where Installed:Cowlitz Tribe Little Traverse Bay Band of Indians Seminole Nation Squaxin TribeTohono O’odham Nation AGENCY UPDATESUnited South and Eastern Tribes, Inc. (USET)BRANDON STEPHENSDevelopment Directorbstephens@usetinc.orghttp://www.usetinc.orgUnited South and Eastern Tribes, Inc. (USET) has been busy with continued growth and the addition of an Economic Development Department. This new department’s focus is broad, but one item the director works on is assisting member tribal nations with creating Comprehensive Economic Development Strategies (CEDS). USET has initiated a technical assis-tance program to work with tribal nation members to enhance the nations’ planning and development processes as well as improving access to federal grant programs. USET remains steadfast in their devotion to build capacity and work to bring social, cultural and economic strength to their tribal nation members and all of Indian country. USET Sovereignty Protection Fund (SPF) is a 501(c)(4) enterprise initiated approximately a year ago. SPF continues to burgeon and grow providing further com-ment and testimony to a growing number of congressional committees and agencies. The SPF regularly sends out correspon-dence concerning recommendations and support, as well as requests for tribal consul-tations regarding engagement with congres-sional members or statements on the inclu-sion of amendments and enhancements to legislation. The consistent presence of strong Indian country advocates within gov-ernmental policy and legislative affairs only reinforces the foundation all tribal groups have built over the years to further highlight the voices of Indian country. USET is in the process of forming a Community Development Financial Institu-tion (CDFI) with funds received from a US Treasury NACA award. This new venture will enable USET to loan money to mem-ber tribal nations who propose ideas and projects that may otherwise not receive capital needed to fulfill their vision. USET is pursuing additional opportuni-ties for advancement and development. Clear purpose and intent establishes USET’s continuing mission to build capacity of member tribal nations leading to self-de-termination and the upholding, protection and advancement of tribal sovereignty. Visit www.usetinc.org, like USET’s Facebook page, and download USET’s app to keep up-to-date with USET business.The last thing he wants you to do is join the MS-ISAC.The MS-ISAC provides real-time network monitoring, threat analysis, and early warning notifications through our 24x7 cybersecurity operations center.The most important cybersecurity move your tribal organization can make is to join the MS-ISAC – and it’s absolutely free to become a member. The Multi-State Information Sharing and Analysis Center (MS-ISAC) has been designated by DHS as the key resource for cyber threat prevention, protection, response and recovery for the nation’s state, local, tribal, and territorial governments.There is no cost to join the MS-ISAC, and membership is open to all state, local, tribal and territorial entities.“Joining the MS-ISAC should be a non-decision for all tribal nations…We’ve been members for several years and I highly recommend joining.”-Chuck Sharnagle CIO, The Mohegan TribeContact us:518.880.0699 info@msisac.orghttps://msisac.cisecurity.orgMembership includes:• Cyber security advisories & daily tips• Awareness/education materials• Monthly newsletters, webcasts & threat briefings• Incident response resourcesThe news today is filled with doom and gloom. One cannot avoid the vast reports of cyber attacks and the fact that no business, no person and no nation is exempt from what appears to be an endless stream of bad actors exploiting the digital domain - a domain we in the populace have grown more and more dependent upon for conve-nience and necessity. We obviously need to implement immediate measures to protect ourselves, but even more important to this discussion is how we actually take meaningful long-term steps toward solving the challenge of cybercrime that has become accepted by many as the “new norm?”It is actually possible that a big part of the solution to the security challenges of the digital domain may also be one of the greatest opportunities for our next generation.Let’s face it, kids love all things digital. They are growing up in an era where technology is not only second nature to them, but also where most of their interactions, transactions, and social experiences happen online. What if we encourage this passion and talent, but in a way to support our national interests in cyber security?There are three major steps in making this transition: awareness, access, and action.It is necessary to make K-12 students aware that their aptitude for technology could become a lucrative career for them as adults. Jobs in technology, engineering and/or cyber security are among the highest demand fields in the nation and the salaries are skyrocketing. Foreign students are graduating from college with STEM degrees at a 2 to 1 or even 3 to 1 ratio to their US born counterparts. We simply lag behind the rest of the world in educating our youth in these critical fields. It’s not that we don’t have young people smart enough to take these studies on, we simply have not done enough to let U.S. students know what their true opportunities are should they opt to take the right math, science, technology and engineering classes beginning about 7th grade. Too many students don’t know what their future could be, what their earning potential is or what they should take in school to prepare them for this great challenge. We need to fix this! Government and local community organizations have set up a host of resources that provide a wealth of knowledge to arm parents and teachers. Local universities have career services organizations that can provide academic and internship guidance, and chambers of commerce can provide a connection to local businesses. If you reach out, I guarantee the response will be transformative.Once students become aware of the possibility of a rewarding career and six-figure salary, they will want to access the education and resources to engage the field. Educators in K-12 are charged with preparing our students and overall teachers have done an amazing job; but education has NOT capitalized on the love of technology their students possess to the level they could. Often the challenge is cost prohibitive within a particular school setting, teacher discomfort with the domain itself plays a role and perhaps they are also victims of prescriptive curriculum. Further, many parents don’t understand the careers or the fields themselves and thus cannot provide much support at home. This should not be a blame game. Rather, let’s find ways to step up as communities of corporate leaders, government officials, teachers and parents and let’s literally start a revolution! Let’s put a laser focus on getting the young people access to resources that can open the doors to Cyber Security careers and to believe they, too, can be one of the technological innovators going forward. They CAN successfully take on and outsmart cyber hackers!Many groups are growing across the nation in the form of such clubs as Robotics, Engineering, Math and even Cyber. The first three named have been growing steadily for years; but the national crisis we now have for Cyber Security professionals has begun to encourage the growth of Cyber focused camps and clubs. In other words, imagine the possibilities if we as a group of interested parents, educators and businesses decide to move aggressively to offer Cyber Security Camps, ask schools to start Cyber Clubs and work together to be sure “all kids” from Kindergarten forward really get to know how bright their futures could be if they pursue fields of study that lead to degrees in computer science, engineering and of course cyber security. And the cost of this access is really not that prohibitive. Mini-computers such as Raspberry Pis can be purchased for around $50. There are free operating systems with professional grade cyber security tools. Federal and state governments have a number of grant programs focused specifically on getting kids into cyber. And the talent to teach can be local industry and universities volunteering a few hours a month to educate students and teachers. Commitment by a teacher or school can go a long way because a community of help is waiting to be tapped. You might ask, how do we start? It’s time to act! Each neighborhood should organize EDUCATION & DEVELOPMENTImagine the Possibilities!FEATURED COLUMNSWINNIE CALLAHAN ED.DDirector University of San Diego Center for Cyber Security Engineering and TechnologyWinnie Callahan Ed.D, Director, University of San Diego, Center for Cyber Security Engineering and Technology16TribalNeta network of people to build a grassroots cyber education effort. Look around and find a university in proximity that could be of assistance with people who possess expertise to help with the development of activities and curriculum. The university will also be able to help groups partner to find opportunities, like Cyber Patriot, GenCyber, and many other programs that could support schools and students. National grants through NSA, NSF and others are available, and universities are terrific collaborators in winning these types of awards.In keeping with an old expression, “every great idea begins in one small neighborhood,” let’s start a revolution and create an air of competition that enables communities to come up with their version of a Cyber Initiative. Go to your chamber of commerce or local government and tell them you want to develop your community as a cyber center of excellence. Partner with other schools and districts, as you’ll find strength in numbers. Challenge local businesses to both sponsor the initiative and volunteer their talent. If you take action and are uncompromising in your goal to provide these opportunities to students, you will be shocked at the support system. There is no mystery to cyber security, but it takes a community to rally the necessary parties to provide the right talent, teaching, and tools so that your young people have these opportunities. Cyber security is NOT a spectator sport and given the incredible challenges we’re experiencing with threats globally, we’re actually preparing the next generation to help mitigate these challenges while we ensure our youth have career opportunities unlike those their parents, in most cases, have ever experienced. Don’t give in to the excuses of cost or expertise – take action and you’ll find solutions you never knew existed. Just imagine the possibilities! EDUCATION & DEVELOPMENTFEATURED COLUMNSWinnie Callahan joined the University of San Diego in June of 2015 as the founding director of the University of San Diego Center for Cyber Security Engineering and Technology. In this role, Callahan works with both the Shiley-Marcos School of Engineering and the School of Professional and Continuing Education to build a world-class Cyber Security program through academic de-gree opportunities, certificate programs, service and associated research. Cal-lahan holds a Bachelor’s Degree from Winthrop University in South Carolina, and a Master’s and Doctorate from the University of Nebraska in Educational Administration. Through the years, Callahan has presented frequently at the national level, has several publications to her credit, served as a consultant to Disney and has many recognitions to include installation in the Aksarben Court of Honor. She was named the YWCA’s Woman of Distinction in 1994, and made an Admiral in the Great Navy of Nebraska by then Governor Ben Nelson. In 2007, Callahan was named the West Point Society’s Citizen of the Year, recog-nizing her leadership, community participation and patriotism.Digital TransformationThe rapid pace of innovation and societal changes are presenting new challenges for agencies and organizations. Transform your services to drive greater impact and outcomes.Meet with Microsoft and learn more at www.microsoft.com/governmentFall 2016MEET YOUR VENDORSRSM US LLPOur Message to Tribes: At RSM, we understand the distinct challenges facing American In-dian tribes and the gaming indus try. We have gained this understanding by listening carefully to our tribal and gaming clients, and by investing the time needed to become familiar with each client’s strengths, weak-nesses, opportunities and concerns. DWAYNE ETOPartner and Gaming Industry Practice Leader619.516.1106dwayne.eto@rsmus.comBILL WOODWORTHPartner619.516.1119bill.woodworth@rsmus.comTHERESA MERLINOPrincipal206.676.1128theresa.kain@rsmus.comJJ MERLINOConsulting Services Director702-759-4121JJ.Merlino@rsmus.comBETH JOHNSONConsulting Services Principal816.751.4071beth.johnson@rsmus.comWho We AreRSM US LLP (formerly McGladrey LLP) is the leading provider of audit, tax and consulting services focused on the middle market, with more than 8,000 people in 80 offices nationwide. It is a licensed CPA firm and the U.S. member of RSM Internation al, a global network of independent audit, tax and consulting firms with more than 38,300 people in over 120 countries. RSM uses its deep understanding of the needs and aspirations of clients to help them succeed.Products/ServicesRSM offers commercial gaming clients a full suite of assurance and tax services, augmented with specialized consulting services that help our clients improve efficiencies, manage risks and drive better results. We are dedicated to providing clients with the insights needed to make critical business decisions in a complex and some-times uncertain environment.Every client faces challenges like managing risks, leveraging technology, and new development and expansion. The right solu-tions require specialized knowledge, on-point experience and the depth of resources to respond quickly. Our capabilities go beyond superb assurance and tax services to include an unparalleled array of specialized gaming consulting services, including financial man-agement, gaming regulatory controls, operations, strategic planning, training and operations, performance improvement and informa-tion technology solutions.When you trust the advice you’re getting, you know your next move is the right move. That’s what you can expect from RSM. That’s the power of being understood®.VISIT US AT TRIBALNET 2016Maximizing your investment in technology requires a grasp of the big picture without losing sight of the smallest details. Come by the RSM booth at this year’s TribalNet conference to meet and visit with our gaming and technology consulting professionals.MEET YOUR RSM TEAM:MEET YOUR VENDORSEarn points engage with your peersWin FUN PRIZESAre you Registered for TribalNet 2016?easy to usePlan your agendaSync to your calendarComplete surveysRate your experienceRead speaker BiosView Tradeshow floorView special event invitesCheck out vendors and offersand so much more!www.tribalnetonline.comDownload the conference AppPlay TribalNet Connect!How We Bring Value to Tribal Organizations & Enterprises For more than 25 years, RSM has devoted consid erable resources to strengthening our understanding of tribal and gaming concerns—and our ability to address those concerns quickly and efficiently. We have served more than 90 tribes throughout the na tion, gaining valuable experience through our work with tribal councils, tribal boards, economic devel opment committees, gaming operations and gaming commissions.The knowledge we have gleaned from these ef forts, combined with our mastery of accounting and financial reporting, has helped us gain the trust and confidence of our tribal and gaming clients. Focusing on each client’s internal control systems, we work to meet critical deadlines, while ensuring the credibility of the resulting financial statements. Our engagement teams for are comprised of gaming tribal and gaming industry specialists who understand the industry’s unique needs and challenges. Our dedicated, experi enced professionals are poised to understand each client’s aspirations, meet their challenges and support their growth objectives.Our Work With Tribal Nations:RSM’s strengths in serving casinos: The nation’s leading provider of assurance, tax and consulting services focused on the middle market• $1.4 billion in revenue annually• Have been serving gaming entities since 1968For more information, visit www.rsmus.com, like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter and/or connect with us on LinkedIn.Next >