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HULBERT, OK - Cherokee Nation Enterprises named David Tippeconnic, former President and CEO of CITGO Petroleum Corporation, as Advisor to the President, and Taylor Keen, former President of Native American Solutions, as Executive Vice President in a Board Meeting today. Tippeconnic and Keen are Cherokee.

"Tippeconnic has world class leadership and business experience," the Board wrote in a public statement. "He will help CNE expand from our strong base of gaming into other related tourism and entertainment businesses." Tippeconnic will oversee strategic planning and help shape CNE's long-term vision.

"I see CNE being the foundation for economic development for the Cherokee Nation," Tippeconnic said. "It is important that CNE have well though out plans that can be implemented to grow the enterprise."

Tippeconnic was President and CEO of CITGO until he retired last October. Prior to that, he was CEO of Uno-ven, a refining and marketing firm, for three years. He also spent 33 years with Phillips Petroleum, serving as Executive Vice President of the Company and as a member of Phillips' Board of Directors.

Taylor Keen will oversee the day-to-day operations of CNE. Keen leaves his post as President of Native American Solutions, a private consulting practice. He has previous experience as a CEO of an Internet company, as a Senior Manager for Budget Group, Inc. and as a program manager for International Business Development for WorldCom International. He has Masters Degrees in Business Administration and Public Policy from Harvard.

"Mr. Keen's training and familiarity with CNE will help during this transitional time," the Board wrote.

"I'm a native of Tahlequah and I'm excited to come here and contribute to the people of the Cherokee Nation and the State of Oklahoma," Keen said.