Tex Hall 

Spokesman

Info@generation7llc.com

Tex Hall ("Ihbudah Hishi" or "Red Tipped Arrow) is one of the most recognized tribal leaders in the nation. He is the past two-term President of the National Congress of American Indians and the past two-term Chairman of the Mandan, Hidatsa & Arikara Nation in North Dakota. Tex is the Chairman of the Board of the Inter-Tribal Economic Alliance, the C.E.O. of the MTE Management private equity firm, and the Founder and Director of the Red Tipped Arrow LLC government consulting firm. In addition, he serves as the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Native American Bank. The ITEA is a national coalition of Indian tribes, Alaska Native Corporations, and Native Hawaiian communities formed in 2001 to create Indian jobs and Indian businesses.

Tex grew up on his family's ranch in Mandaree, North Dakota, in the heart of the Fort Berthold Reservation, where he still ranches cattle. Tex has always emphasized education. After earning a master's degree in education from the University of Mary, he worked as school principal and superintendent at the Mandaree School back home. In 1995 he was named North Dakota Indian Educator of the year for his service. In 2002, Chairman Hall received the University of Mary Leadership Award, his alma mater's highest award for his dedication to education.

Tex served as President of the National Congress of American Indians from 2001 to 2005. During that time, he turned NCAI into one of the most respected organizations, not only in Washington, D.C., but in state capitols across the nation. Tex focused NCAI's efforts on trust reform, sovereignty protection, economic development, energy, and fighting domestic violence. He co-chaired the creation of the 50 Principles to settle the Cobell lawsuit and he also delivered the first ever State of the Indian Nations Address to the country. In 2005, NCAI collected nearly a million dollars for Hurricane Katrina victims. In 2004, the NCAI Native Vote project successfully brought out a record 1 million Indian voters in the fall elections.

As Tribal Chairman, Tex brought back more than $300 million to the reservation in new funding, cut tribal unemployment from 50% to 15%, and added more than 300 new jobs. He oversaw the completion of the $65 million Four Bears Bridge and delivered a new multimillion dollar health care facility and multimillion dollar school for the Tribe.

Tex has also led the fight against the historic discrimination of Native American farmers in the Keepseagle class action lawsuit filed against the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Athletics are also an important part of Tex's life. In 1999, he was inducted into Minot State University Bottineau Athletic Hall of Fame, first as a basketball player and then for his work for Native youth. In 2004, he was inducted into the North Dakota Amateur Basketball Hall of Fame. In 2004, he was inducted into the National Indian Athletic Association Hall of Fame both as a player and as a member of the North Dakota Warriors, the only team to have ever won five National NIAA championship titles.

Stephen A. Drake, Ph.D., CPA, CFP

Consultant

stephen@generation7llc.com

 Stephen is the founder and President of the Generation 7, LLC since 2003. He is a CPA, CFP (R), and personal financial specialist as designated by the American Institute of CPA's for more than 35 years. Stephen holds a PHD in finance and a Masters Degree in Taxation from the University of Arizona and Washington. He has two Bachelors of Science degrees - one in finance and the other in accounting from the University of Arizona as well as being a graduate of the College of Financial Planning in Denver. Stephen received top honors throughout his educational years, he belongs to Beta Gama Sigma, which honors national top scholars in finance and is a member of Beta Alpha Psi, which honors top scholars in accounting and taxation. He graduated at the top of his class at the University of Arizona Graduate Program in Tax.  

Stephen has focused on financial planning and wealth accumulation for the Native American community for the last several years, including work with Native American Member Services LLC (NAMS), dedicated to providing trust and reporting services to tribal members and tribes and is the founder of Pangea Development Company, dedicated to developing real estate projects on or near Tribal Nations.  His other business ventures include being President of Optima Holding Company and serves as Chairman of the Board for Optima Worldwide. He is the co-founder and Chairman of the Board for Friendship Homes and Schools, a non-profit association serving children and those in need around the world.

Drake has published at least 50 professional articles, including tax planning for tribal members, per capita deferred income plans and financial planning for tribal  members, asset protection for tribal members and minimizing the financial effects of divorce on tribal members. He also is a lecturer and authored "Tax Tips from the Top" that was published By Prentice Hall.

Drake and Generation 7 LLC received the Distinguished Award for Top Financial Planners in the United States, specifically in the Indian Country, by the Consumers Research Council of America in 2009. 

Kenneth D. Sorenson, CPA

Consultant

ken@generation7llc.com

Mr. Kenneth D. Sorenson has been a CPA since 1990. After working in Los Angeles with two large regional accounting firms, Mr. Sorenson joined his father in forming Sorenson & Sorenson, CPAs. The senior Sorenson began the firm in 1960. Sorenson & Sorenson has enjoyed a successful practice and is one of the premier accounting firms in Central California. In 1997, Mr. Sorenson began working with his first Tribal government. As a Vice President with Generation 7, Mr. Sorenson’s responsibilities include managing the Generation 7 operation and compliance issues. He has been instrumental in developing accounting systems which conform to the unique circumstances of tribal governments. Mr. Sorenson has become an authority on tribal entity, financial reporting and tax preparation and planning for tribal governments and tribal members. Mr. Sorenson also represents several individual tribal members in his private practice.

Michelle Adams, EA

Consultant

michelle@generation7llc.com

Ms. Michelle L. Adams, EA has been on Mr. Kenneth D. Sorenson's staff since 1991 and has been licensed by the IRS as an Enrolled Agent since 2000. In 1999, Ms. Adams began a large scale accounting project for a California Tribe, basically creating and improving accounting systems for both their tribal government and their grant driven clinic, then continued operating the systems, including per capita distribution preparation, until they could be fully accommodated in-house in early 2006. Ms. Adams is licensed in tax, but is also well versed in human resources, financial reporting and she also represents several individual tribal members with their personal financial affairs. Ms. Adams is assisting Mr. Sorenson in the operations department of Generation 7.