Director Sorbel Awarded Small Business Empowerment Award
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Ivan Sorbel
February 28, 2018. (605) 455-2685
PRACC DIRECTOR HONORED WITH PRESTIGIOUS AWARD FROM NATIONAL CENTER FOR AMERICAN INDIAN ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT.
KYLE, SOUTH DAKOTA –Ivan Sorbel, Director of the Pine Ridge Area Chamber of Commerce, has been chosen as this year’s recipient of the NCAIED Small Business Empowerment Award.
The award recognizes “leadership demonstrated in the business community” and acknowledges “dedication to improving opportunity for American Indian owned businesses in the recipient’s community and across Indian Country”.
“Ivan deserves all the recognition he has earned. His efforts to improve the economy of the Pine Ridge area have helped to create an environment where small businesses have a chance to succeed,” said Arlen Whirlwindhorse, PRACC Board President.
Prior to being promoted to the Director position, Ivan was employed as the Small Business Advocate and then the Acting Director. Ivan has been with the Pine Ridge Chamber since October 2001 shortly after the Chambers inception. Ivan was born and raised in South Dakota. As the son of a BIA employee, he has lived on many different reservations in South Dakota and Nebraska.
Ivan attended college at Central Wyoming College in Riverton, WY on a rodeo scholarship. He later transferred to Chadron State College in Chadron, NE and obtained a BA degree in Criminal Justice. After college he enlisted in the US Marine Corps and served for five and half years.
During his time as leader of PRACC he has helped to rebrand the tourism industry in his surrounding community and helped to create programs focused on work force development.
The award will be given to Sorbel at the Indian Progress in Business Awards Gala set to take place during the National Reservation Economic Summit in Las Vegas from March 5-8, 2018.
NCAIED extended a “special thank you to all of (their) award winners for their dedication to the advancement of American Indian Enterprise Development”.
According to organize the event is the “oldest and most prestigious” awards ceremony acknowledging accomplishments and contributions made by American Indians and those who support their economic and business development endeavors.
The Pine Ridge Area Chamber of Commerce is an association of business people — working together to make the Pine Ridge area a better place in which to live, work and raise a family. For more information please contact us at (605) 455-2685.
PICTURE CUTLINE: Ivan Sorbel, Director of the Pine Ridge Area Chamber of Commerce has been chosen as this year’s winner of the prestigious Small Business Empowerment Award presented by the National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development.
