Albuquerque – Governor-elect Susana Martinez today announced the members of the Indian Affairs Department Review Team. These individuals will conduct a review of the Indian Affairs Department prior to January 1, 2011 in order to find efficiencies and promote greater streamlining in state government.
The members of the Indian Affairs Department Review Team include:
RON SOLIMON, CHAIRMAN
Ron Solimon is the president and chief executive officer of the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center, Inc. and Indian Pueblos Marketing, Inc. Solimon is a member of the Pueblo of Laguna Indian tribe and his heritage also extends to Zuni Pueblo.
GOVERNOR J. ROBERT BENAVIDES
J. Robert Benavides is the current Governor of the Pueblo of Isleta having been elected to his third two-year term by the general membership in November 2009. He represents the Pueblo of Isleta in various organizations including the National Congress of American Indians, National Indian Gaming Association, New Mexico Indian Gaming Association, Mid Region Council of Governments of New Mexico and All Indian Pueblo Council.
BRIAN LEWIS
Brian Lewis is an attorney with the Navajo Nation Department of Justice and enrolled member of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma.
RON LOVATO
Ron Lovato has been involved with Ohkay Owingeh’s Tsay Corporation since 1998 when he served on the board of directors. Lovato has served as the chief executive officer of the Tsay Corporation since 2001. He is a lifelong resident of Ohkay (San Juan Pueblo) and northern New Mexico.
SAM WINDER
Sam Winder has practiced law for the past 22 years and served 13 years as a Federal prosecutor. Winder is an enrolled member of Southern Ute Indian Tribe of Colorado.