Cherokee Services Group, a division of Cherokee Nation Businesses, received the top award from The Journal Record for its inaugural Tulsa’s Fast 40. The list was compiled of privately held companies in the Tulsa metro area, ranked by percentage of revenue growth.

Cherokee Services Group was recognized for its 10,000 percent revenue growth from 2008-2010. Cherokee Nation Businesses CEO David Stewart attributes the company’s steadfast growth to Tulsa’s strong and supportive community.

"Our partnerships in the state of Oklahoma and communities across the Cherokee Nation provide us with the support necessary for our companies to succeed," said Stewart. "Our reputation, technical capability and value help to create economic opportunities for us across the nation."

As a full-service information technology provider, CSG provides services primarily for government clients. From its Headquarters in Catoosa, OK, CSG has grown from four employees to more than 200 employees within the past three years.

“Our companies differ from many in that our only shareholder is the Cherokee people,” said Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Bill John Baker. “As our companies grow, we create new jobs for Cherokee citizens, and as revenues increase, so does our ability to support the needs of the Cherokee people.”

The award was accepted November 8, 2011 by Cherokee Services Group CEO Steven Bilby.

“This list is filled with strong, innovative companies that Cherokee Services Group is proud to stand among. We are honored by this recognition and will continue to provide the best service and value-added solutions for our clients.”

Cherokee Services Group, a division of Cherokee Nation Businesses, was named as a winner of the GSA’s 8(a) Streamlined Technology Acquisition Resource for Services (STARS II) Government Wide Acquisition Contract (GWAC).

The program allows federal agencies to direct task orders to small, disadvantaged businesses that have been pre-screened by the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA). The scope of the contract includes a broad range of IT services.

This marks CSG’s second GWAC under the STARS program. Out of 795 certified 8(a) businesses named in the GSA’s first STARS program, CSG ended the seven-year program ranked twelfth in total revenue.

“We already hold multiple STARS contracts with various federal agencies, so we’re extremely proud to have been chosen for the STARS II contract. It speaks volumes about the reputation of our employees and their commitment to quality,” said Steven Bilby, CEO of CSG. “Our goal is to provide superior technology solutions to all of our clients.”

As part of the 8(a) STARS II program, CSG will be considered a preferred business to receive task orders from any government agency in a more streamlined fashion, shortening procurement lead times for pre-negotiated rates, increasing efficiency.

“We have a tremendously talented workforce that is skilled and efficient in IT solutions, prepared to handle task orders at a moment’s notice,” Bilby said. “Perhaps more importantly, we have gained experience and the respect of our clients under the STARS program. CSG’s success with STARS should appeal to federal government agencies looking for a proven technology contractor through an aggressively pre-competed contract vehicle, in a way that satisfies small business 8(a) objectives.”

Tulsa-based Cherokee Services Group has been named the U.S. Dept of Agriculture’s “HUBZone Small Business Contractor of the Year”. The company was nominated for recent work completed for the USDA’s Forest Service.

“CSG's diverse skill set ensures that clients receive the greatest return on their investment,” said Steven Bilby, CEO of Cherokee Nation Business’s information technology sector. “We consistently deliver the best results for the greatest value. We’re very happy that the USDA has recognized those qualities with this award.”

Established in 2005, Cherokee Services Group is a leading full-service information technology service provider owned by Cherokee Nation Businesses. The company has more than 200 employees and provides services primarily for government clients.

“We are very proud of our partnership with the USDA and are committed to providing them with the highest level of service to achieve their goals,” said Gene Garvin, Director of Employee and Customer Relationship Management. “Any recognition from our clients speaks volumes about the performance of our employees and the Cherokee Nation as a whole.”

CSG is managed by parent company, Cherokee Nation Businesses, which is wholly owned by the Cherokee Nation. All of the profits from CNB managed companies benefit tribal social services, or are reinvested into job creation for Cherokee citizens.

“The greatest service we can provide our citizens is a job so they can support their families,” said Chad Smith, Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation. “The majority of our employees at CNB are Cherokee citizens, a fact we’re extremely proud of.”

CSG was honored at the USDA Small Business and AbilityOne Awards ceremony yesterday in Washington D.C.

Tulsa-based Cherokee Services Group has been named the U.S. Dept of Agriculture’s “HUBZone Small Business Contractor of the Year”. The company was nominated for recent work completed for the USDA’s Forest Service.

“CSG's diverse skill set ensures that clients receive the greatest return on their investment,” said Steven Bilby, CEO of Cherokee Nation Business’s information technology sector. “We consistently deliver the best results for the greatest value. We’re very happy that the USDA has recognized those qualities with this award.”

Established in 2005, Cherokee Services Group is a leading full-service information technology service provider owned by Cherokee Nation Businesses. The company has more than 200 employees and provides services primarily for government clients.

“We are very proud of our partnership with the USDA and are committed to providing them with the highest level of service to achieve their goals,” said Gene Garvin, Director of Employee and Customer Relationship Management. “Any recognition from our clients speaks volumes about the performance of our employees and the Cherokee Nation as a whole.”

CSG is managed by parent company, Cherokee Nation Businesses, which is wholly owned by the Cherokee Nation. All of the profits from CNB managed companies benefit tribal social services, or are reinvested into job creation for Cherokee citizens.

“The greatest service we can provide our citizens is a job so they can support their families,” said Chad Smith, Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation. “The majority of our employees at CNB are Cherokee citizens, a fact we’re extremely proud of.”

CSG was honored at the USDA Small Business and AbilityOne Awards ceremony yesterday in Washington D.C.

Cherokee Nation Businesses has reached an agreement to purchase ETI Professionals (ETI), a Colorado-based company offering strategic project management and staffing solutions. ETI caters to many large federal agencies and commercial clients, providing services in information technology, science, engineering, mission support services, research and development, facility management and program management. The anticipated date of closing is Jan. 31, 2011, pending regulatory approvals and the completion of the due diligence process by CNB and ETI.

"ETI Professionals directly fits within CNB's growth strategy for our information technology portfolio," said David Stewart, CEO, Cherokee Nation Businesses. "ETI is known for providing customer focused, strategic solutions for its clients. Those strengths, combined with CNB's deep knowledge and expertise in the IT and professional services fields, will add to CNB's IT companies' reputation as a total solutions provider to government and commercial clients."

ETI's home office is located in Lakewood, Colo., but regional offices exist in San Antonio, Texas, Tampa, Fla., Baltimore, Md., and Shirley, Mass. The company has 375 employees and contracts in 40 states, servicing the United States Departments of Commerce; Defense; Energy; Health and Human Services; Homeland Security; Interior; Transportation and the EPA.

"ETI has a stellar reputation among their clients, and we are so pleased to add their expertise and sound business practices to our portfolio of IT companies," said Steven Bilby, President of CNB's IT group. "This acquisition opens many doors for us to expand our current businesses into markets we haven't yet penetrated. ETI will be a great addition to the CNB family of companies."

The Cherokee Nation Jobs Growth Act, legislated in 2005, establishes the company as an economic engine, powering the economy of the Cherokee Nation and the entire region. CNB's primary goals are job creation and generating funding for valuable tribal services, such as health care, education and housing.

"This acquisition allows us to continue our proven model of diversifying our business holdings, while also creating careers and building the overall economy in northeastern Oklahoma through the future growth of all our IT companies," said Chad Smith, Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation. "In addition to creating jobs, a company like ETI will help generate funding for services to our Cherokee citizens."

Cherokee Nation Businesses boasts a variety of industry portfolios, in the fields of information technology, aerospace, environmental, health care and construction. CNB has a strict set of guidelines it adheres to when pursuing acquisitions, and only pursues companies that are highly successful, profitable and stable.

"It speaks volumes that ETI is being purchased by CNB and we are honored to become a part of their organization," said Susan Holland, President and founder of ETI. "I started ETI in 1992 with $1,500 and the dream of a great company. Building this company has been my life's work for 18 years now, and I am tremendously proud of what ETI has accomplished. It is now my goal to secure ETI's future as we proudly become part of the CNB family. CNB provides us with a tremendous platform for growth including an outstanding reputation in the business community, unsurpassed contracting vehicles, and the resources to grow."

Susan Holland and part owners Greg Kilkenny and Allen Christy have signed long-term agreements to stay with the company and help guide ETI as it enters its newest chapter as part of the CNB organization.

The company's legal name will become Cherokee Nation Government Solutions, but it will continue to service clients under the ETI name as well.

Cherokee Nation Businesses is a wholly owned corporation of the Cherokee Nation and serves as the holding company for all of the Cherokee Nation's for-profit entities, including Cherokee Nation Entertainment, Cherokee Nation Industries, Cherokee CRC and other companies. Its mission is to grow the economy of the Cherokee Nation through diversification and create jobs in northeast Oklahoma. CNB's profits are either reinvested into job creation, or social services to tribal citizens. CNB and its subsidiaries employ more than 5,000 people.