Our speaker guest is Chairman Steve Ortiz, Tribal Chairman of the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation (PBPN). Chairman Ortiz attended and graduated from Topeka High School, Topeka, Kansas and earned a Bachelors of Business Administration from Washburn University located in Topeka, Kansas. Steve has 22 years of management experience with major corporations such as IBM, Kansas Power and Light and Hallmark Cards.

Chairman Ortiz has an Honorable Discharge from the United States Marine Corps as an Infantryman 0311/0351 MOS and served from 1969-1971 attaining the rank of Lance Corporal. Not content with just serving with the Marines, Lance Corporal Ortiz joined the United States Army Reserves, where he served with the 410 EVAC Hospital SMBL from 1974-1976, receiving an Honorable Discharge with the rank of Specialist-5/E-5. Steve is a life member of American Legion Post 410 We-Ta-Se and served on Post Color and Honor Guard Unit.

His corporate and military experience has served him well in his current duties as Tribal Chairman of the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation. His term of office started in 2007 and is scheduled to end in 2014. Prior to his election as the Tribal Chairman, Steve has compiled a remarkable record of service to the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation and other affiliated tribes. Eight years as the Secretary for the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation: President of the Three Kansas Tribes’ (PBPN, Sac & Fox, Iowa’s) Health Board, a Direct Service Unit: Chairman and Secretary of the PBPN Health Board Compacted Tribe: Vice- Chairman and Member of the Oklahoma City Inter-Tribal Health Board: Chairman and Secretary of the PBPN Housing Board: Chairman and Secretary of the PBPN Utility Corporation: Member of the National Indian Gaming Commission Task Force on Health and Safety in Indian Casinos: PBPN Alternative Delegate to the National Indian Gaming Association: PBPN Alternative Delegate to the National Congress of American Indians: Member of the United States Department of Environmental Protection Agency Local Government Advisory Committee (2010-2012).

Chairman Ortiz has worked extensively with regulatory agencies and Banking and Financial Institutions to protect the integrity of the Prairie Band Casino & Resort operations, and to continue the economic development of the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation. His extraordinary contributions at the local, state and federal level, has been recognized by his work as a Tribal Representative for Indian Affairs and Tribal Development and his strong relationship with the Regional Federal Director for United States Department of Health and Human Services.