Staff

Ashlen Hicks is a proud member of the Choctaw Nation. She was born in Talihina, Oklahoma and graduated from Wright City High School. Ashlen and her fiancé, Kyzer, currently reside in Idabel, OK with two amazing boys, Kylen and Malachi. She enjoys being outdoors with her family, doing beadwork, and reading. Ashlen holds an Associate of Science degree from Carl Albert State College and a Bachelor of Business Administration from Southeastern Oklahoma State University. She plans to continue her education at Southeastern Oklahoma State University to receive her Master of Science in Native American Leadership and Master of Business Administration in General Business.

Ashlen started her journey working for Choctaw Nation in 2016 at the Choctaw Casino in Idabel as a cage cashier. In 2017, she transferred to Broken Bow Choctaw Casino to be a Table Games Supervisor for the new department. In 2021, she transitioned to a Casino Credit Executive where she helped build the new credit program for Choctaw Casinos & Resorts at Grant and Durant properties.

Ashlen is now excited to be a part of the Small Business Development team and looks forward to serving our tribal community by providing business advising services that will help tribal members reach their business goals.

Amy Ward is a proud member of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma. Amy was born in Talihina and grew up in Idabel.

Amy and her husband Tony Ward have been married for 25 years and have two children, Peyton and Kayla.

She has always taken pride in serving the Choctaw Nation. She began her career at Choctaw Indian High Stakes Bingo and held various positions from cook to Cage Supervisor and Bingo Manager. In 2005 she became General Manager for Choctaw Casino Idabel. In 2014, Amy was promoted to General Manager of Choctaw Casino Idabel and Broken Bow.

Amy is excited to share her experiences to encourage others to work hard and succeed at their entrepreneurial goals. She will be providing business advising services to tribal members in District 2.

Michael is a proud fullblood Choctaw tribal member who was born and raised in Broken Bow, Oklahoma, where he began working summers at the age of 14 for the Choctaw Summer Youth Work program.

Michael graduated in 2009 with his bachelor’s degree from Southeastern Oklahoma State University in Durant, Oklahoma, and has been an employee with the Choctaw Nation for over 15 years. Michael worked for the Choctaw Nation Hospital in Talihina, Oklahoma, serving as an advocate for Patient Relations, then joined the Youth Outreach Department, where he has had the privilege of helping hundreds of Choctaw youth navigate school and life challenges. Michael has felt the call throughout his life to be a servant of the Choctaw people and has found great pleasure in helping other members of his tribe. Michael has enjoyed working for the Choctaw Small Business Department since December 2021. Michael has been married to his wife Haley for 18 years, and they have five children. Michael and his family currently reside in Talihina, Oklahoma.

Brittany Rice has recently joined the Small Business Development team as an advisor, providing business counseling and services for Tribal District 4.

Brittany was born in Poteau, raised in Wister, and is a proud member of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma. She has been married for 14 years and has seven children. Brittany holds an associate degree in business administration from Carl Albert State College and a Bachelor of Science in organizational leadership from Northeastern State University.

Brittany has worked with the Choctaw Nation for over six years. She started her career at the Choctaw Nation as a Field Representative at the Poteau Community Center. She later transferred to Children and Family Services Department where she was an Indian child welfare social worker. She recently transferred from Outreach Services where she was a community-based social worker.

Brittany is very passionate about helping others and is enthusiastic about providing business advising services to her fellow tribal members.

Bonnie Marcy, an enrolled member of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, was born in Talihina, Oklahoma, and graduated from Buffalo Valley High School. Bonnie and her husband Larry have been married 20 years and have three children and three grandchildren.

Bonnie worked for the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma in successive positions of Procurement Clerk, Accounts Payable Technician, Assistant Accountant, Accountant, Business Analyst, Director of Guest Service, and Director of Internal Support Services.

Bonnie holds a master’s degree in legal studies of Indigenous Peoples law from the University of Oklahoma and a bachelor’s degree in administrative leadership from the University of Oklahoma.

Jara James is a proud member of the Choctaw Nation. Jara grew up in Wilburton. She holds an associate degree from EOSC and a bachelor’s degree from Southeastern Oklahoma State University. Jara and her husband reside in Latimer County with their three beautiful children, four dogs, and chickens.

While attending SOSU in Durant, Jara started her career with the Choctaw Nation in 2006 as a Cage Cashier, then as Title 31 Clerk, and finally as Guest Service Manager for the McAlester area. She has always been committed to helping others, so the Guest Service position helped her shine and taught her valuable training skills.

Jara made her way to the Choctaw Nation working with the Housing Authority, where she continued to serve the Choctaw Nation Communities. Jara has a passion for helping other tribal members reach their potential and looks forward to continuing to provide business advising services for District 6.

Sequina Hunter is excited to announce that she will be the new Choctaw Nation Small Business Advisor for District 7. She is a proud Choctaw tribal member who strives to give back to her tribe. Sequina was raised in the Rattan/Sobol area and now resides in Antlers with her husband Michael and their four children.

Sequina was employed with Choctaw Nation Outreach before she developed and ran a successful two-star Daycare business for four years. She was awarded Chahtapreneur of the year, 2020, District 7.

Sequina has a Certificate of Mastery in Child Development and a Director’s Certificate from Carl Albert State College, as well as many other trainings in the business field. Sequina has great passion to serve others, which makes her a great asset for the SBDS team and tribal members within her district. Sequina is grateful for this opportunity, and she will work hard and strive to be the best advisor for District 7 business owners.

Courtney Wesley is a proud member of the Choctaw Nation. She grew up in Hugo. Afterwards, she attended Southeastern Oklahoma State University and holds a bachelor’s degree in communication with a minor in general business. Courtney and her husband Derek have been married for 15 years and have two sons, Peyton and Lucas.

Courtney has been employed with the Choctaw Nation since November 2004, when she started at the Choctaw Casino & Resort in Grant. In 2008, she transferred to the Choctaw Housing Authority, serving as a Customer Care Representative, Accounts Receivable Clerk, Accounts Payable Clerk, and Accounts Payable Coordinator. Courtney joined Choctaw Small Business Development in January 2022. She looks forward to assisting tribal members in pursuing their business goals.

A Choctaw tribal member born in Lawton, Valerie began her career as a licensed Abstractor and moved on to the energy sector, working on projects across the state of Oklahoma and the northeast portion of the United States. After working for her own company in the private sector for 12 years, she took a position with the Bureau of Indian Affairs as a Legal Assistant. 

Valerie joined the Choctaw Small Business Development team in January of 2019, and she holds an associate degree in liberal science from Bacone College in Muskogee. She also holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Southeastern Oklahoma State University in Durant.

She has been married to her high school sweetheart for 26 years and has three beautiful daughters. Valerie is excited to have joined our team and is ready to help Tribal Members with their business goals.

Brad Erwin is a proud member of the Choctaw Nation who joined Small Business Development in April of 2023 to serve Districts 10 and 12. His educational background includes a bachelor’s degree in communication with a minor in journalism from Southeastern Oklahoma State University. His professional journey with the Nation began through the internship program with Rapid Results, which eventually led him to the role of Training Coordinator in the Learning and Development department. With his relentless dedication and exceptional work ethics, Brad quickly progressed to become a Trainer responsible for overseeing the Durant area.

Brad is a devoted family man. He’s married to Katherine Erwin and has three children. Above all, Brad’s passion lies in serving the tribal members and contributing to their success by providing unwavering support. Brad feels privileged to continue his career with the Choctaw Nation and looks forward to making a significant impact in his communities.

Brad Erwin is a proud member of the Choctaw Nation who joined Small Business Development in April of 2023 to serve Districts 10 and 12. His educational background includes a bachelor’s degree in communication with a minor in journalism from Southeastern Oklahoma State University. His professional journey with the Nation began through the internship program with Rapid Results, which eventually led him to the role of Training Coordinator in the Learning and Development department. With his relentless dedication and exceptional work ethics, Brad quickly progressed to become a Trainer responsible for overseeing the Durant area.

Brad is a devoted family man. He’s married to Katherine Erwin and has three children. Above all, Brad’s passion lies in serving the tribal members and contributing to their success by providing unwavering support. Brad feels privileged to continue his career with the Choctaw Nation and looks forward to making a significant impact in his communities.

David Smith joined the Small Business Development Team in May of 2019. David is a proud member of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma. He works with tribal members in district 11 on a day-to-day basis and is dedicated in assisting tribal members reach their full business development potential.

David was born and raised in McAlester. He received a Bachelor of Arts in journalism and advertising from the University of Central Oklahoma. Since returning to McAlester, David has successfully owned and operated three businesses. The Whistle-Stop Bistro in the Old Town Antiques District received the McAlester Area Chamber of Commerce’s Small Business of the Year award. The Bistro was also voted #1 Lunch Spot numerous years by the Reader’s Choice Awards with the local newspaper. David also owned and operated The Grand Event Center in downtown McAlester. David currently owns and operates the McAlester Antique Mall in the Old Town Antiques District.