For Immediate Release
Media Contact Only: James Parker Shield, CEO
406-590-1745 (mobile)
THE NATIONAL NATIVE AMERICAN HALL OF FAME ANNOUNCED THE ADDITION
OF TWO BOARD MEMBERS AND THE ELECTION OF A NEW BOARD PRESIDENT
(OKLAHOMA CITY, OK, MARCH 14, 2023) — Frances Alvarez, (San Pasqual Band of Mission Indians) was elected board president, succeeding Walter Lamar (Blackfeet/Wichita) who will continue to serve on the board, according to James Parker Shield, Chief Executive Officer.
Frances Alvarez is a tribal industry professional with 20 years of experience in Tribal Gaming regulation with an emphasis on service, training, and philanthropy. She is a member of the San Pasqual Band of Mission Indians, is a respected community member, and an experienced Tribal Regulator with a comprehensive knowledge of Tribal/State Compacts and Tribal Gaming Ordinances.
Joining the board of directors are; Amanda Clinton (Cherokee Nation) and James Anderson (Choctaw Nation/Lac Courte Oreilles Band of Ojibwe).
Amanda Clinton, owner and principal of A.R. Clinton: Communications-Strategies-Content, is a three-time Heartland Emmy Award-winning producer with experience spanning more than 20 years. Amanda, who serves intermittently as an adjunct professor at her alma mater, Oklahoma State University, has a broad range of expertise including strategic planning, communications and public relations, television and film, political consulting, tribal relations, and public policy. Amanda has been named to several “Under 40 Lists,” and serves on the Oklahoma Hall of Fame board, the Oklahoma State University Foundation Board of Governors, and is Chairwoman of the Arts Alliance Tulsa Board of Directors.
James W. Anderson (Choctaw/Lac Courte Oreilles Band of Ojibwe) is the owner of “Jimmy Anderson’s Old Southern BBQ.” He is a trainer, keynote speaker, author, and co-founder of Lifeskills Center for Leadership, which has been featured on the Oprah Winfrey Show for their work with young adults. Lifeskills Center is a training organization that brings world-class and effective personal and professional development to young Native Americans and now to college campuses across the country. James is also the son of “Famous Dave Anderson,” a 2021 National Native American Hall of Fame Inductee.
“The board of directors and staff at the National Native American Hall of Fame extend best wishes to the outgoing board members, Leslie Logan (Seneca) and Bobbie Meszaros (Tlingit), on their journey forward,” stated CEO, James Parker Shield.
An integral part of the Hall of Fame’s mission is to educate the public about exemplary contemporary Native American individuals. The Hall of Fame will continue to develop educational resource materials for schools (grades 8-12) that will include lesson plans on each Hall of Fame inductee.
The 2023 Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony is scheduled for October 14, at the First Americans Museum in Oklahoma City, where the Hall of Fame is located.
For more information about the National Native American Hall of Fame please visit us at www.nativehalloffame.org
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