Jeremy Combs | Marketing Manager, UKB Federal Corporation
Las Vegas — The United Keetoowah Band (UKB) Federal Corporation made a strong showing at the 2025 Reservation Economic Summit (RES) in Las Vegas, Nevada, engaging in key discussions and educational sessions aimed at expanding economic opportunities for UKB members. The summit provided a crucial platform for Federal Corporation members to explore strategies for securing state and federal government contracts, fostering economic growth, and advancing Tribal Digital Sovereignty initiatives.
A central focus for the UKB Federal Corporation at RES 2025 was enhancing its ability to successfully capture government contracts. Corporation members attended multiple breakout sessions dedicated to best practices in researching and securing federal and state procurement opportunities. These sessions emphasized the importance of building a strong track record through subcontracting and forming strategic partnerships with larger tribal enterprises.
One of the most insightful discussions centered around the strategic acquisition of existing government contractors. Experts detailed how acquiring companies with established government contracts can provide tribes with an immediate foothold in federal contracting, accelerating their growth in the sector. Additional sessions highlighted how UKB Federal Corporation could work with larger tribal entities to fulfill movement contracts, gaining critical experience that would strengthen future proposals submitted through the Request for Proposal (RFP) process.
A major highlight of the summit was the educational session on Tribal Digital Sovereignty, a rapidly growing priority for the Tribes seeking to reclaim control over their digital infrastructure, data, and policy frameworks. The session featured influential thought leaders, including Geoffrey Blackwell, General Counsel and Chief of Staff at the National Congress of American Indians; Dr. Traci Morris, Executive Director of the American Indian Policy Institute; and Mathew Rantanen, Vice President of Tribal Broadband at Golden State Net.
For the UKB Federal Corporation, the discussion underscored the urgent need to establish a secure digital infrastructure that supports UKB’s sovereignty while also assisting other tribal nations in their efforts to decolonize and reclaim digital assets. The Corporation explored opportunities to expand into IT consulting and data storage as a service, ensuring that tribes can store and manage their data in sovereign, tribally controlled environments rather than relying on external corporate entities.
Beyond learning and networking, the UKB Federal Corporation actively promoted Echota Billing Services (EBS) as a vendor at the event. EBS showcased its comprehensive billing solutions for tribal governments, enterprises, and Native-owned businesses, drawing significant interest from healthcare, governmental, and private-sector organizations. The high level of engagement at RES 2025 led to numerous business leads for EBS, positioning the company for strong growth and expansion in the months ahead.
UKB Tribal Council Member Cliff Wofford attended RES 2025 alongside the Federal Corporation team, participating in key educational sessions and networking opportunities. His presence reinforced UKB’s commitment to strengthening tribal government operations and supporting the economic development efforts of the UKB Federal Corporation. By fostering relationships with business leaders and representatives from other tribal nations, Wofford helped advance UKB’s strategic goals and ensure alignment between the tribal government and economic development initiatives.
RES 2025 served as a catalyst for the UKB Federal Corporation’s continued pursuit of economic growth, government contracting success, and digital sovereignty initiatives. With a deeper understanding of procurement strategies, strategic acquisitions, and the importance of sovereign digital infrastructure, the Federal Corporation is well-positioned to drive job creation for tribal members, expand tribal enterprises, and enhance economic self-sufficiency for UKB members.
As the UKB Federal Corporation moves forward, the lessons and connections gained at RES 2025 will serve as a platform for growth and success, ensuring that the United Keetoowah Band continues to thrive in both the economic and digital landscapes.
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