Ron is an enrolled member of the Cherokee Nation and the Cherokee Elders Council. He holds degrees in Bachelor of Arts Education and Master of Science Education. He is in his 46th year working with Native American families and youth. During his 22 years in public education he served as a Music Teacher, Indian Education Reading and Math Teacher, Counselor, Assistant Superintendent, Director of Curriculum, Special Education and Transportation and served as Superintendent of Schools.
Following his career in education, four & one-half years were spent as a Case Manager Supervisor in a newly created Social Services Department within the Housing Authority of the Cherokee Nation.
Ron served as founder and Chief Professional Officer of Boys & Girls Clubs of Green Country, Inc. located within the Cherokee Nation from 1997 to 2007. He served as Chairman of Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s Native American National Advisory Committee (NANAC). Special recognitions include BGCA’s Masters and Mentors Level of the Academy of Boys & Girls Clubs Professionals.
For five years Ron served as the Projects Manager, Native American Program Specialist, FirstPic, Consulting. His work included Child Abduction Response Team Training, Internet Crimes Against Children and AMBER Alert in Indian Country training. Also Office of Justice Programs Boys & Girls Clubs of America Funding Initiative for Boys & Girls Clubs in Indian Country, Bureau of Justice’s Methamphetamine Law Enforcement and Community Education Technical Assistance as well as Law Enforcement Investigative Technique Training. Ron also has experience in HUD’s Office of Native American Program Training and Technical Assistance for Tribal Community Youth Programs.
Ron teaches webinars for the Native Learning Center, Seminole Tribe of Florida and is consultant to the US Department of Justice AMBER Alert Training and Technical Assistance Program, where he acts as one of the national Liaison for Training and Technical Assistance to the AMBER Alert initiative for Indian Country. This is in conjunction with Fox Valley Technical College’s National Criminal Justice Training Center.