Kenneth L. Smith

Mr. Kenneth Smith, a member of the Wasco Tribe, serves as the Chairman of the Board for Warm Springs Ventures.  He is President of Ken Smith & Associates, a company established in 1985 that specializes in American Indian Affairs.  The firm provides advice and technical assistance in economic development projects.

Mr. Smith served as General Manager/Secretary-Treasurer for the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs for ten years.  He began his employment with the Tribe in 1959 and served in a number of positions, starting as an accountant, followed by senior accountant, controller/assistant general manager, and finally to the General Manager/Secretary-Treasurer position in 1971.  The Tribe established a strong, effective government and self-sustaining economic development program under Mr. Smith’s direction.  Enterprises at that time included a profitable timber industry, a resort-hotel complex, and a hydro-electric power plant.

In 1981 Mr. Smith resigned to accept the position of Assistant Secretary of the Interior-Indian Affairs, under the Reagan Administration.  He served in this position from May, 1981 to December, 1984.

Mr. Smith served as Chief Executive Officer/Secretary-Treasurer for the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs from 1989-1995.  In those six years he was instrumental in the construction of the Museum at Warm Springs, the Early Childhood Education Center, and the Health and Wellness Center.  He signed a joint-venture agreement that launched a breakthrough in diatomaceous earth technology, bringing about the creation of Warm Springs Composite Products and initiated the gaming enterprise process, both of which have proved valuable as a significant source of employment and income to the Tribe.  Mr. Smith has 46 years of experience in Indian Country ranging from an accountant to the top leadership job as Assistant Secretary of Interior in charge of the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

Presently, Mr. Smith is Chairman of the Board of the Coquille Economic Development Corporation in North Bend, Oregon; a member of the Geo-Visions board, a member of the Kah-Nee-Ta High Desert Resort & Casino board of directors, and the Museum at Warm Springs board of directors.  He has served on multiple boards including the Redding Rancheria Economic Development Corporation, High Desert Museum of Bend, Oregon, Futures for Children, National Board of the Smithsonian, Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco Portland Branch, World Forestry Center Council, State Board of Education, United States National Bank of Oregon, Oregon Business Council, US West Communications, Inter-Tribal Timber Council, and the State Banking Board for the State of Oregon.  Mr. Smith graduated from the University of Oregon in 1959 with a BS degree in Business Administration.