Sequoyah
Fund Staff, Board
of Directors & Cherokee Business Development
Staff
| History & Track Record |
| Staff & Board |
| Training & Services |
| Sequoyah Fund Loans |
| Success Stories |
| Support Us |
| Qualla Boundary |
| Business Resources |
| Business Directory |
Ph 828-497-1666
Cherokee |
Nell
Leatherwood
Russ Seagle
Sherrene Swayney
Board of Directors
Gloria
Rattler
Hope Huskey
Jacob Reed
Kimberly Winchester
Lynn Blankenship
Nell Leatherwood
Executive Director
828-497-8136
Email Nell
Nell joined Sequoyah Fund in February of 2006. She has a Bachelor's Degree in History from the University of North Carolina. Prior to coming to Sequoyah Fund, Nell worked as the Director of Finance and Administration and 
Sponsored Academic Programs at Western Carolina University where she was responsible for expanding the organization’s capacity to deliver strategic regional economic development initiatives. Nell also worked as Executive Director of Western North Carolina Tomorrow, a regional “think tank”, which identifies and addresses economic, social and environmental issues impacting the twenty-five far-western mountain counties of North Carolina. Nell recently became a member of Mountain BizWorks (formerly Mountain Microenterprise Fund) Advisory Board. Nell is responsible for managing all staff and operations for the Sequoyah Fund.
Russ Seagle
Sr. Loan Officer & Manager of Client Development
828-497-8142
Email Russ
As Sr. Loan Officer, Russ works with clients to construct the best loan package for their needs. In his role as Manager of Client Development, he coordinates and leads seminars, courses and workshops for small business owners and prospective owners, including the nine-week Indianpreneurship class. He also works with the Business Development staff in a consulting role with clients who need more hands-on assistance.
Russ has eighteen years of experience as a business leader, entrepreneur, and consultant, including ten years as Small Business Center Director at Southwestern Community College. He is an expert in positioning organizations for growth. Russ is an accomplished consultant, acknowledged for improving clients' conditions by increasing revenues, improving communications, boosting team performance, and creating an environment of success for management and staff.
Sherrene Swayney
Portfolio & Finance Manager
828-497-1759
Email Sherrene
Sherrene joined Sequoyah Fund in July of 2006. She is an enrolled member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. Sherrene has an Associates Degree in Microcomputer Systems Technology and a Bachelor's Degree in Business in 
Information Systems. She worked the previous two years as a Business Resource Coordinator for Cherokee Business Development, which managed the Tribal Revolving Loan Fund before it was transferred to Sequoyah Fund. Sherrene is responsible for managing accounts payable and receivable for the loan fund products, tracking the loan portfolio performance and preparing reports for the Executive Director, the loan committee, and the Board of Directors.
Back (l-r) Nathan Robinson, Jerry Boone, Carolyn Rice, J.L. Burgess. Front (l-r) Richard Sneed, Ellison Rudd, Ray Rose.
BOARD
OF DIRECTORS
(*) = Enrolled Member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians
President
Jerry Boone
Mountain Credit Union
Vice-President
J.L. Burgess (*)
Fort Tomahawk Gift Shop
Treasurer
Ellison Rudd
First Citizens Bank
Secretary
Richard Sneed (*)
Cool Valley Motel
Carolyn Rice
Discount Cigarettes
Nathan Robinson (*)
El Camino Motel
Ray Rose (*)
Harrah’s Cherokee Casino
Gloria
Rattler
Director
828-497-1669
Email Gloria
Gloria joined Cherokee Business Development in 2002 starting as a Business Development Specialist. In 2006 she became the Director. She is an enrolled member of 
the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. Gloria has a Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree in Business Administration from Montreat College. She was instrumental in helping establish Sequoyah Fund as an independent Native CDFI and works closely with the Fund’s Executive Director to ensure an effective partnership between the two operations. Gloria is responsible for managing all staff and operations for Cherokee Business Development.
Hope Huskey
Business Development Specialist
828-497-1670
Email Hope
Hope joined Cherokee Business Development in 2004. She is an enrolled member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. Hope has a Bachelor’s Degree in Literature from the University of North 
Carolina Asheville. Hope has worked for a mortgage company, EBCI’s office of budget and finance, and EBCI’s former business development center in Asheville. Hope is responsible for providing business counseling and coaching services. She also facilitates training classes, helps small businesses identify federal procurement opportunities, and supports business owners in completing business plans and other information needed to submit a loan application to the Sequoyah Fund.
Jacob Reed
Business Development Specialist
828-497-1668
Email Jacob
Jacob joined the Business Development Center in July of 2007; prior to which he worked in the Regulatory Compliance Department at Harrah’s Cherokee Casino and Hotel, 
where his duties included ensuring that the Casino operated in accordance with Federal, State, and Indian Gaming Laws. He is an enrolled member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. Jacob has a B.S.B.A. in Business Administration from Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, NC. Jacob has experience assisting clients with procurement contracts and opportunities, contract, budget, and database management, writing, and training. His administrative duties include the management of confidential client records, entry of client information into the departmental database, the preparation of activity reports and the development of resources and relationships to support the mission of the Business Development Center. He also assists in the planning of training opportunities for the department and members of the Tribe. Jacob has an intimate knowledge of business requirements and resources, as well as excellent communication and personal skills.
Kimberly Winchester
Business Development
Resource Coordinator
828-497-1666
Email Kim
Kimberly joined the Business Development Center in 2008. She has been working for the tribe since 2006. 
As Resource Coordinator, Kimberly helps clients with the application forms necessary to start a business, enters client information into the departmental database, and schedules business classes and seminars for the public. She is an enrolled member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. She is a full-time student at Southwestern Community College, working towards an AA/Business Administration. She plans to attend Western Carolina University to earn a degree in business administration.
Lynn Blankenship
Office Assistant
828-497-1666
Email Lynn
Lynn joined the staff in 2009 after being employed with the tribe for twenty years. As Office Assistant, Lynn assists the Business Development and Sequoyah Fund Staff with clients, and clerical duties. She is an enrolled member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. Lynn Graduated from Southwestern Community College with degrees in Business Administration and Administrative Office Technology.
© 2007-10
The Sequoyah Fund
Webmaster