Colombe (Sicangu Lakota, Nez Perce) has served as REDCO’s CFO since 2017
SICANGU MAKOCE, Oceti Sakowin – The Rosebud Economic Development Corporation (REDCO) Board of Directors announced the appointment of Clay Colombe as the new Chief Executive Officer of the organization and its subsidiaries. An experienced leader in business and finance, Colombe will succeed Wizipan Little Elk and assume responsibilities on January 3rd, 2022. Little Elk vacated the position in October to take a position in the federal administration.
Colombe – an enrolled citizen of the Sicangu Lakota Oyate (Rosebud Sioux Tribe) who also has Nez Perce ancestry – has committed his professional career to creating economic and financial opportunities for Native people. Most recently he has served as REDCO’s Chief Financial Officer and Director of Financial Services, a position he began in 2017. In that role he oversaw budgeting and accounting for over a dozen subsidiaries, and served as an advisor in the creation of REDCO’s two sister 501(c)3 organizations: Tatanka Funds and Sicangu Community Development Corporation.
“I am humbled and thankful for the opportunity to serve as the next CEO of REDCO, and very grateful to Wizi for laying the groundwork and vision for REDCO to become leaders in Indian Country,” said Colombe. “I look forward to continuing to work with the Rosebud Sioux Tribal Council, REDCO Board of Directors and our amazing team to build on what we have already accomplished and continue to grow the entire REDCO ecosystem.”
Prior to joining REDCO, Colombe was the Senior Vice President of Native American Bank where he led commercial and retail lending for locations across the Great Plains and managed a portfolio of over $80 million. In that role he expanded the utilization of BIA, HUD, SBA, and USDA loan guarantees, increasing access to capital for Native communities.
“Having worked with Clay for several years, I am very grateful that he will be the next leader and CEO of REDCO,” said OJ Semans, Sr., a member of the REDCO Board of Directors. “With his deep roots as a member of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe, I know his commitment to the vision of REDCO will continue and am excited for the future of the organization.”
Colombe has a bachelor's degree in Business Management and a master’s in Business Administration, both from the University of South Dakota. Outside of REDCO, Clay serves on the Rapid City Area School Board and is a board member for The Club for Boys Foundation in Rapid City, SD.
About the Rosebud Economic Development Corporation
REDCO is the economic development arm of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe and is based on what is commonly known as the Rosebud Reservation in southcentral South Dakota. REDCO leads an ecosystem of organizations working in tandem to create systemic change grounded in Lakota values. REDCO primarily focuses on enterprise and policy, while its sister organizations Sicangu CDC (www.sicangucdc.org) and Tatanka Funds (www.tatankafunds.org) focus on grassroots community development and asset building, respectively.
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Contact: Aaron Epps, Marketing and Communications Director
Email: Aaron.Epps@sicangucorp.com
Website: www.sicangucorp.com/