Peggy Harris

Seventh Generation (7G) provides professional consultation services on business, non-profit, and governmental operations. The principals, Don Sampson – President (Umatilla Tribal member) and Peggy Harris – Chief Executive / Finance Officer, have provided professional services with a diverse variety of Tribes, federal, state, and local agencies, universities, foundations, and private sector companies. Below is a list of a few of the major contracts fulfilled by 7G:

• [2014-2022] – 7G was provided a $50,000 contract to bring in funding to build and sustain a Climate Change Program within the Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians (ATNI), a consortium of over 50 northwest Tribes where I served as the Program Project Coordinator. Through various grants and foundation funding, between 2014 and 2022, 7G raised over $10 million. Many of these funding sources are renewed annually thanks to past successes. Even without additional funding, this will sustain the program for the next 3-5 years.
• [2019-2021] - Served as Assistant to the Vice President of Investor Relations for Harsch Investment Properties working with U.S West coast Tribes on real estate ventures and investments with Harsch.
• [2013- 2017] – Served as the Executive Assistant to the CEO of Warm Springs Economic Development Corporation. As Executive Assistant to the CEO, I supported oversight over nine (9) enterprises. These enterprises employ over 50 employees with revenues exceeding $4M annually. The Carbon Sequestration Project will exceed revenues of $23M. I also assisted in developing the Small Business Administration 8(a) certification for Warm Springs Ventures for the Unmanned Aerial System Test Range and implemented and recruited business partners as part of the Historically Underutilized Business Zones (HUBZone) program for the Warm Springs Industrial Center.
• 7G coordinated strategic planning in [2019] for the Umatilla Tribe (OR), [2017] for the Warm Springs Tribe (OR), in [2015] for the Snoqualmie Tribe (WA), and in [2015] for the Shinnecock Indian Nation (NY) to develop annual work plans, business plans, priority setting, annual budgeting, and recommended organizational restructuring of their Tribal operations.
• [2015-2017] – 7G contracted in developing the Gaming License, Gaming Codes, Gaming Regulations, Minimum Internal Control Standards, and Casino Resort Business Plan on behalf of One Hundred Sands (OHS) for the development of a 500-slot machine, 57 table game casino resort with the Fiji Government. The resort included a 400-room hotel, 1,500 seat convention center with five restaurants and six bars.
• [2014-2017] – 7G provided the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) with agency-wide education and diversity training to over 400 field employees on Pacific NW Tribal government operations, history, treaty and trust resource obligations, and education on tribal cultural and archeological protection laws.
• [2014] – 7G coordinated an operational review of the Tribal government departments and programs and the multi-million-dollar investment portfolio for the Grand Ronde Tribe (OR).
• [2010-2012] – 7G designed, developed, and operated Native Programs, including Indigenous Leadership Award (ILA), Native Leadership Development, and the Native Scholarship Program for Ecotrust, a regional non-profit organization based in Portland Oregon.
• [2012-2013] -7G worked with the Shinnecock Indian Nation (NY) to conduct a Constitutional review and helped prepare the Tribe’s first Constitution, developed their 2013-14 Strategic Plan and Priorities, conducted an organizational analysis and developed specific organizational restructuring, created policies and procedures for effective government operations, and developed an Integrated Resource Management Plan.
• [2011] – 7G provided trainings to the Corp of Engineers and U.S Geological Survey on intergovernmental relations with Columbia River Tribes.
• [2013-2020] – Institute for Tribal Government (ITG) at Portland State University: 7G provided tribal governance trainings, diversity trainings, and developed a Certificate in Tribal Relations program designed for local, state, and federal government agencies, non-profit and for-profit organizations, and trade associations that work regularly with tribal nations and native communities.

Ryco Construction is a residential and commercial construction company with $2-3M annual gross revenue. As CFO, and while working other full- and part-time jobs and raising a family, was responsible for the management of all day-to-day operations including inventory management, budgeting, accounting, payroll, payroll reporting, banking, taxes, and other reporting requirements. Oversaw the development and implementation of systems for tracking financial performance metrics, always striving to improve profitability and efficiency.

Served as Executive Assistant to the Executive Director (ED), Deputy ED, nine-member Board of Trustees (BOT), and 22-member Management Team which managed 1,500 employees, thirteen departments, and a $194M annual budget. Developed, delivered, and received all communications to and from the ED’s Office. Supervised and coordinated daily activities of five executive administrative staff, regularly assessing office productivity and making team adjustments as needed. Implemented and maintained company protocols to ensure smooth daily activities. Held budget authority for key acquisitions and purchases (up to $10,000). Developed, managed, and monitored the ED’s annual budgets, scheduled and maintained ED calendar, meeting schedule, call log, signature log, timesheet, leave requests, travel, administrative records, and scheduled, prepared, and followed up on the Office of ED weekly, monthly, quarterly, and annual reports to the BOT.

Worked closely with two advisors and their advisees from a seven-county regional area as well as out-of-state students. Provided all office and financial support as well as initial advising of non-admitted and admitted students. Organized and maintained office files, records, and documents.

• Recipient of the EOU 2001 Division of Distance Education Customer Service Award (monetary award - first honoree)

Performed office duties related to Production Adjustment, Payment Limitation, and Disaster Programs. Duties included working closely with local crop producers, maintaining records, requests, and program applications, computing payments, yield and acreage reporting, both automated and manual, and explaining in detail government policies and procedures.

• Recipient of the National Distinguished Disaster Program Individual Award (monetary award received in Washington D.C., 1989)
• Recipient of the National Distinguished Group Achievement Award (monetary award received in Washington D.C., 1989)
• OASCOE Association (President, Vice President, and Membership Chairperson, 1990-1995)