Our Team

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

​Alan Barr

PRESIDENT

A Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians member, he has consulted internationally for over 30 years in multiple industries. He is currently CEO & Chief Catalyst of Creative Change Associates, Inc. where he works with high-character leaders who have the courage to transform themselves, their teams, their organizations, and their communities via strategic, team-based solutions methodology.

Mike Griggs

TREASURER

A Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians member with 25 years of experience in the lending software industry, he has worked with countless lending organizations in everything from start-up consulting to software engineering. He is a passionate and knowledgeable industry leader regarding the demands and innovations of alternative lending, retail financing, student lending, non-profit and CDFI lending.

Roderick Blanchard

SECRETARY

A Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians member with 32 years in U.S. Government experience with Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and U.S. Customs Service. Rod retired as CBP Port Director for Detroit in 2017. During his 12 years of senior management with the U.S. Government he held leadership responsibility for multiple major border operations, including managing over 2,000 employees.​

Steve Johnston

Vice President

A Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians member with 30 years of experience in the gaming industry across 5 states. An executive focused on driving revenue and managing expenses, his passion is making a difference for people’s careers through tribal business development. He has also ventured into game development, creating 3 different games with major manufacturers.

Dr. Madan Saluja

DIRECTOR

A teacher for over 50 years at LSSU, recipient of the Michigan Teaching Excellence Fund Award and LSSU's Distinguished Teacher Award. He served as faculty representative to the LSSU Foundation Board of Directors, on fundraising committees and was instrumental in establishing the School of Business/Lambda Scholarship, helping raise more than $225,000 for the endowment. ​

STAFF

Joel Schultz

CEO

A Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians member who, prior to joining Sault Tribe Incorporated in early 2022, served as Executive Director of the Sault Tribe Economic Development Corporation. He brings with him over 25 years' experience as a thoughtful executive and key leader with keen insight into the economic drivers for Sault Tribe and Northern Michigan. 

Rachel Heckel

COO

High-capacity/high-competency executive and resourceful operational leader, with demonstrated success in establishing and expanding new business lines in diverse verticals. Delivers exceptional financial reputational communication, no matter how difficult or urgent the situation. Heckel worked for nearly a decade at Cherokee Federal as project controller, program manager and, for almost four years, as president of operations. During this time, she was responsible for all aspects of performance across a $70 million-plus portfolio for nine subsidiary companies.​

Brenda Jeffreys 

Director Of Operations 

Result focused, quality driven professional with extensive experience in property, business, and organizational management. As a proud mother of Sault Tribe professionals, Brenda embraces the mission of Sault Tribe Inc to create resources for the Sault Tribe to assure sustainable sovereignty. She uses her years of Real Estate and operational guidance to create culture for continuous growth. 

Brenda Gallegos

​Vice President of Business Development

​Seasoned executive level leader with an extensive 20-year history of experience in business development and strategic planning, especially within the realm of federal government, with demonstrated success at developing and implementing strategic plans and executing tactical initiatives that drive the achievement of growth targets.  Gallegos worked for nearly a decade as Vice President of Business Development for an Alaskan Native Owned Corporation. In this role, she successfully managed strategic planning and business development initiatives for up to eleven wholly owned subsidiaries.

Daniela David

CFO

Energetic CPA with fifteen years of experience in developing and implementing financial systems, processes and controls, foreign subsidiary accounting and consolidations, and governmental contracting.  She has seven years of experience working in the Federal Division of a Tribal Nation.