The Bois Forte Development Corp., which manages Fortune Bay Resort Casino and other businesses owned by the Bois Forte Band of Chippewa, has named Jennifer Pontinen as its new director of finance and business development.
Pontinen most recently served as the program director for the University of Minnesota Duluth’s Northeast Minnesota Small Business Development Center, where she counseled business owners on planning, financial analysis, marketing strategies, recordkeeping and budgeting.
Prior to that, Pontinen worked as a financial advisor for PrimeVest Financial Services, Inc. & InterSecurities, Inc., and as a business banker for Wells Fargo Bank. She earned both a BBA and an MBA in business administration from the University of Minnesota Duluth, and she is a certified financial planner as well as a certified facilitator for Indianpreneurship Native American Business Planning Curriculum.
Norm Adams, CEO for the band development corporation, noted Pontinen already has experience working with the Bois Forte Band, having helped craft a comprehensive feasibility study that analyzed business opportunities on the Bois Forte Reservation.
“We are pleased to have Jennifer on our team,” said Kevin Leecy, Bois Forte tribal chairman, in a statement Monday. “She will be a real asset as we continue to strengthen our existing businesses and explore new ventures.”
Pontinen replaces Gary Gotchnik who resigned from the position in February after allegations surfaced regarding credit card misuse. Tribal officials said they have turned information over to federal authorities in the incident but no additional information has been released.
