David Lester, Executive Director (Muscogee Creek)
David has served as the Executive Director of the Council of Energy Resource Tribes (CERT), based in Denver, Colorado, since 1982.

Prior to joining CERT, David served as Commissioner for Native Americans in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, appointed under President Carter in 1978 and re-appointed by President Ronald Reagan in 1980. While in ANA, he restructured its program of “core administration” for Tribes and urban centers into a development agency funding projects that implement Tribally developed social and economic development strategies (SEDS).

In 1970, David became the founding president of the United Indian Development Association in Los Angeles, the predecessor organization to the National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development, the leading Indian business ownership program in North America, assisting thousands of Indian business owners in obtaining financing and contracts with large companies and government agencies. David continues to serve on the board for the National Center. The National Center is known for its Las Vegas RES conference and trade show where billions of dollars of business has been transacted by Indian Tribal businesses.

David graduated from Brigham Young University in 1967 with a degree in political science after serving a mission for his church in South America. David joined the California Federal Savings and Loan and in 1968-1969 he served as Economic Development Specialist for the National Congress of American Indians and the First Nations Development Institute.

He has served on numerous boards and committees, including serving as a trustee for the Institute of American Indian Arts in Santa Fe, New Mexico and as a board member of Americans for Indian Opportunity and as a member of the National Coal Council.

Clint LeBeau, Program Assistant (Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe)
Clint serves the Council of Energy Resource Tribes as a Program Assistant. His duties include all aspects of conference and meeting development, planning and coordination. Clint has extensive experience in Tribal and organizational strategic planning, as well as administrative and technical support for CERT energy, environmental, and educational program activities. Clint began his association with CERT in 1988 as an administrative assistant for the education program, and through the years, he has supported, coordinated and managed small to large-scale conferences, symposiums, roundtable discussions and fund raising events. He has also managed and coordinated regional and national energy, environmental and education topic-specific workshops for Tribes, industry, and governmental agencies.

Ottawa Financial Services
Debbie Rowe, Accountant
Debbie received her B.A. in Accounting from Ferris State University in Big Rapids, MI in 1982 and has worked for CERT since 1984. Along with her Accounting duties, Debbie is also involved with the planning and coordinating of CERT’s conferences and fundraising events. Debbie's expert knowledge in grant management and her ability to work closely with CERT's external auditors make her an essential part of CERT.