AIBL announces new executive director

Maurice"Mo" Smith is the new executive director of AIBL. (courtesy photo)

MISSOULA — The Executive Board of the American Indian Business Leaders, announced the appointment of its new Executive Director, Maurice “Mo” Smith, following an extensive and thorough executive search process with a pool of highly qualified candidates.

Smith, 47 (Navajo), originally from Denver, Colorado, replaces Tina Begay, who served as the AIBL Executive Director since 1998 and recently accepted a position as a Business Instructor at the Salish Kootenai College, a Tribal College, in Pablo.

AIBL's mission is to support and promote the education and development of future American Indian business leaders - by creating opportunities in business education, leadership development, professional intern-ships, scholarships for students K-12, High School, Tribal Colleges and Universities.

Of Smith’s appointment, Dave Archambault, Chairman of the AIBL Board said, “AIBL is fortunate to have a person of Mo’s enthusiasm and abilities to move this organization forward.” Archambault continued, “As a nation-wide student led national nonprofit organization, providing business leadership opportunities, AIBL sought a combination of vision, compassion and management expertise in its leader. Mo has the right combination of commitment to AIBL’s values and founding principles. We are confident he will be an excellent leader and mentor to help lead AIBL into a bright new future.”

Maurice “Mo” Smith said, “I am excited to have the honor to lead this organization and build upon the tremendous foundation and good work accomplished over the past 15 years, promoting the education and development of the future American Indian business leaders.” “I have always been inspired by students with a true willingness to build their skills and cultivate their passion to become successful American Indian leaders within a tribal community or mainstream society.” Smith concluded.

Smith holds a Master’s degree in Nonprofit Management from Regis University in Denver, Colorado and a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Adams State College in Alamosa, Colorado.

Before accepting the position as AIBL Executive Director, Smith extensively provided services in variety of nonprofit, student-oriented and business settings including the Executive Director of the Native American Sports Council, a member organization of the U.S. Olympics Committee and leadership in hosting and organizing the 2006 North American Indigenous Games, also known as the “Indian Olympics,” in Denver, Colorado.

About the American Indian Business Leadership: AIBLE was founded in 1993 after a Tribal Leaders conference held on the University of Montana campus in Missoula, where throughout the conference, concern was expressed by recognizing the critical need for educated, experienced tribal members to assist with tribal economic development efforts and became an official 501 (c) 3 nonprofit organization in 1996. AIBL’s national office is located on the University of Montana campus in Missoula, with a Great Lakes regional office on the Fond du Lac Tribal and Community campus in Cloquet, Minnesota. Visit http://www.aibl.org for more information.