NAFSA Board Member Named to Prestigious "Native American 40 Under 40" List

WASHINGTON, Oct. 3, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- On the heels of a recent announcement by The National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development (NCAIED), The Native American Financial Services Association (NAFSA) today applauded John Shotton, Chairman of Oklahoma's Otoe-Missouria Tribe, on being named among the top Native American Leaders under the age of 40. The prestigious award recognizes 40 emerging American Indian leaders between the ages of 18 and 39 who have demonstrated leadership, initiative, and dedication to achieve significant contributions in business, communities, and Indian Country.

"The commitment that Chairman Shotton brings to achieving NAFSA's goals of promoting economic development in Indian country and protecting tribal sovereignty make him a leader in every sense of the word," said Barry Brandon, Executive Director of NAFSA. "Chairman Shotton has emerged as a strong and valuable voice for NAFSA, and this recognition is well-deserved."

Chairman Shotton was elected as a chairman of Red Rock, Oklahoma's Otoe-Missouria tribe in 2007, where he quickly got to work creating business ventures on behalf of the tribe, including PK Propane, the 7C Land and Cattle Company, Council Bluff Event Center, First Council Casino Hotel, the expansion of Lil Bit of Paradise Casino at Chilocco and the remodel and expansion of 7 Clans Paradise Casino in Red Rock. Chairman Shotton has also helped the tribe engage in successful e-commerce and online financial services ventures. He earned his Bachelor's degree in business administration and Master's degree in public administration from the University of Oklahoma.

Awards will be presented at the 37^th Annual Indian Progress in Business Awards Gala at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Tulsa, OK on November 14^th-15^th, 2012. Recipients were nominated and chosen by a panel of NCAIED representatives.

About NAFSA
The Native American Financial Services Association (NAFSA) formed in 2012 to advocate for Native American sovereign rights and enable tribes to offer responsible online lending products.  Through the protection of consumer rights and sovereign immunity, NAFSA provides vital services to tribally operated lenders serving the under-banked with better short term financial services, furthering economic development opportunities in Indian Country. Learn more at NAFSA at www.mynafsa.org.

SOURCE Native American Financial Services Association (NAFSA)