Jamie Beane Joyner, Chairperson, has been a longtime Chickasaw history and culture leader in Tupelo. Jamie once chaired in the early 1980s the Chickasaw Indian Cultural Center Foundation sponsored by the City of Tupelo and MS Department of Archives and History. Its goal was to locate archeological sites in Lee County, Mississippi, and to educate area citizens on the Chickasaw past. As a result of her efforts, further grant funding was realized that enabled a still valuable report to be produced detailing the field work of archeologist John Stubbs’ surveys around Lee County.

Ms. Chenae Lippard has been employed with the Chickasaw Nation since 2002. She has a Bachelor of Science in management and ethics from Mid-America Christian University. She currently serves as the executive officer for the Chickasaw Nation’s Division of Heritage Preservation. She oversees the Homeland Affairs and Chickasaw Archaeology and Field Study programs in Mississippi, Research and Cultural Interpretation and Cultural Enhancement. Chenae played an important role in the establishment of the Chickasaw Inkana foundation where she currently serves at the Vice Chairperson. She is instrumental in the development of educational partnerships in Alabama and Mississippi. Chenae is married to Reverend John Henry Lippard and they have four children, Ashton, Alesha, Adisyn and John Michael.

Dr. Martha Weems Cheney, Secretary, is a fourth generation Mississippian and Pontotoc County resident who has had a life-long interest in her state's Native American culture. Martha resides on land that 300 years ago supported a major Chickasaw village. A retired educator, Dr. Cheney's career included service at all levels of public education. She continues to volunteer for various education initiatives, and her home often serves as a base camp of sorts for archaeology teams as they work on Chickasaw-related projects.

Jessica Crawford is a professional archaeologist and Southeast Regional Director for The Archaeological Conservancy, a nationwide, non-profit organization dedicated to identifying and preserving the country's most significant archaeological sites. She is responsible for managing The Conservancy's sites in seven Southeastern sites, overseeing research projects and acquiring new sites. She has worked with landowners throughout the Southeast to ensure the preservation of their archaeological sites, developed management plans and worked with various government agencies on the incorporation of Conservancy properties into State and National parks. She has partnered with The Chickasaw Nation to preserve a 35 acre 1700's historic Chickasaw village. She has also served on the Mississippi Mounds Trail planning committee and helped identify sites to be investigated and included on the Trail.

Mr. Jerry D. Jones began working for the Chickasaw Nation Jan. 8, 1996, as an internal auditor. In March 1996, he became the finance director for headquarters. In August 1998, he was asked to create a new internal audit department and became the director of quality performance. In September 2014, he was promoted to senior advisor and executive officer of audit and financial reporting.

Prior to working for the tribe, Mr. Jones worked for Horne & Company, P.C., a local accounting firm in Ada, Oklahoma as an auditor. He specialized in auditing colleges, not for profits and tribal governments including the Chickasaw Nation for seven years. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in accounting from East Central University in December 1988. He is a certified public accountant (CPA).

Mr. Jones also serves as treasurer for the Chickasaw Foundation.

Lisa John – Board Member

Ms. Lisa John has been employed with the Chickasaw Nation since 1994. As secretary of the Department of Culture and Humanities, she oversees divisions that educate, preserve and promote Chickasaw culture, history, language and fine arts. Prior to her current role, Ms. John served as administrator for the division of education, administrator for the division of self-governance, and as special assistant to Governor Bill Anoatubby.

Ms. John graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a bachelor's degree in political science in 1991 and a master's degree in public administration in 2007. She is involved in non-profits and organizations such as the Chickasaw Foundation, Chickasaw Inkana Foundation Board of Directors, graduate of Leadership Oklahoma class XXVI, Ada City Schools Foundation Board of Directors, Ada Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, the United States Marshall Museum Board of Directors and was appointed by Governor Brad Henry to the Oklahoma Advisory Council on Indian Education.

Raymond Doherty worked for many years in interactive development, including with the LEGO company in New York City, creating online games, websites, a 3D recreation of an 18th century village and fort for the Mashantucket Pequot Museum, and an iPhone guide to the great National Parks. Before that Raymond was an arms control analyst in Washington D.C. working on nuclear treaty verification and then was a systems engineer at the McDonnell Douglas Astronautics Company in California. Raymond is now working on his Master’s thesis at Ole Miss, writing about the archaeology and history of the Colbert-Walker site (conveniently in the front yard of his family farm in Tupelo), where the 1816 Treaty of Chickasaw Council House was concluded.

H.T. Holmes is director emeritus of the Mississippi Department of Archives and History in Jackson, where he served for ten years as State Historic Preservation Officer. In that position he advanced the ability of the Department to support the preservation of Native American sites and initiated the implementation of the Mississippi Mounds Trail. Part of Hank’s legacy is having led a major portion of the planning, funding and construction of the 2 Mississippi Museums project in Jackson, which will yield by Mississippi’s bicentennial both a new Museum of Mississippi History and Mississippi Civil Rights Museum.

President, R.W.Reed Company, a Mississippi retailer, founded 1905.  Served as Mayor 2009-2013. As Mayor revived interest in partnering with the Chickasaw Nation and with the Natchez Trace Parkway to strengthen their ties with the city. Has been a dedicated volunteer throughout his life in the areas of public education, children and youth organizations, and the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation.  Is married to Lisa Reed; they have two children and four grandchildren. 

Greg Pirkle has practiced law in Tupelo for 30 years. He is a partner in the Tupelo office of the regional law firm, Phelps Dunbar LLP. He received his education from Baylor University, the University of Mississippi, and New York University. 

Greg's law practice centers primarily around corporate tax transactions, estate planning and exempt organizations. His participation in area civic organizations includes: Member and Deacon of Calvary Baptist Church; Member of North Mississippi Health Services, Inc.; Director and Past President of Tupelo Rotary Club; Director of CREATE Foundation, Inc.; Director and Past President of United Way of Northeast Mississippi; Director and Past President of Boys and Girls Club of North Mississippi; Director and Past President of Harrisburg Cultural and Social Services Center, Inc.; Past Chairman of Tupelo chapter of Junior Achievement; Director of Community Development Foundation; Chairman of the Lobbying and Oversight Committee of the Tupelo Major Thoroughfare Program; Member of Tupelo Community Chorus; participant in Tupelo Community Theater productions. 

Greg is the father of two children, Tyler age 26 and Megan age 22.