Ivan Makil Profile

Ivan Makil currently heads Ivan Makil, LLC, Seven-Generation Concepts, a business that provides public and private organizations with assistance in government affairs, business and economic development.

As the former President of the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community (SPRMIC), Ivan Makil is a leader who combines far-ranging vision with political acumen. Ivan Makil has spent his whole life working for Indian Country in various capacities. Elected for three consecutive terms, Ivan has helped to guide the business and social development of the Salt River Community. Under his leadership, the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community has become a nationally recognized model for successful business enterprises, land use planning and overall economic development that is creative, diversified, and culturally sensitive. President Makil believes that SRPMIC enterprises are essential to provide the fiscal strength necessary to enable the Community to respond to needs of the Community and achieve its long-term goal of self-sufficiency. A former member of the International Founder’s Council for the Smithsonian Museum of the American Indian, he is a sought after speaker and advisor on both Indian and non-Indian issues.

Mr. Makil has served the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community for the past 20 years, including 12 years as its’ President. Under his leadership, the SRPMIC greatly expanded and diversified its economic base, achieving an historical benchmark of providing jobs for all community members who wished to be employed, also bringing to the community successful enterprises such as Saddleback Communications, Casino Arizona, Talking Stick Golf Course and Chaparral Business Park. Salt River Sand & Rock and the Salt River Landfill were also significantly expanded during this period and Phoenix Cement recently completed an $118,000,000.00 modernization of the plant.

Among his accomplishments, President Makil coordinated and oversaw the first ballot initiative on gaming ever attempted in Arizona and the U.S. This statewide initiative allowed 5 tribes without gaming compacts to acquire gaming compacts. The measure won by a 2-1 margin. In the year 2000 all 17 Tribes were challenged on their right to renew gaming compacts in Arizona. President Makil was asked to Chair the Statewide ballot initiative, Proposition 202 that was passed by the voters in November of 2002. He also helped negotiate the Loop 101, Outer Loop Freeway, worked with several youth leadership programs, assisted in bringing over 1,000 acres of land into SRPIMC ownership, and over 20 years ago established the first public relations office of its kind for any tribe in the United States for the SRPMIC.

One of the most significant milestones of socio-economic growth for the Community was an idea President Makil proposed to develop and introduce an “investment committee” that would establish and create an investment portfolio of all tribal assets to be managed and monitored by the investment committee. The success of the investment committee led to numerous opportunities such as taking advantage of tax-exempt bonding for infrastructure and development projects. Combined with the continued expansion of its’ management of the various trust responsibilities formally administered by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, the tribe moved aggressively toward President Makil’s goal of comprehensive asset management, technological advancement, and self-determination. During his term as President he was able to maintain an overall return on investment of approximately 26%, which was unprecedented for the Community.

In 1994 representing over 550 tribes President Makil was one of ten tribal leaders asked to present at the first White House meeting of Indian tribes with the President of the United States and all members of his cabinet. He was asked to present on economic development. This significant occasion marked the first time tribes were invited to the White House since the 1800's. In August of 1998 President Makil played a significant role in developing and presenting the first “White House Conference on Building Economic Self –Determination in Indian Communities” hosted by The White House. He was also instrumental in the creation, planning, and development of “The National Summit on Emerging Tribal Economies” held in Phoenix, AZ in September of 2002. President Makil was also a featured Keynote Speaker at the Summit. A prolific public speaker he has on numerous occasions, addressed hundreds of groups around the country, including Harvard University on a variety of topics.

Former President Makil has recently completed appointments to the T-GEN (Transitional Genomics Board), a newly developed research center, and the Governor’s Citizens Fiscal Review Commission, which is the oversight committee on the budget for the State of Arizona. He has received many honors and awards from the National Congress of American Indians Youth Leadership Programs, the Inter-Tribal Council of Arizona, the National Indian Gaming Association, East Valley Partnership, and recently was selected Valley Leadership’s “Man of the Year,” the first American Indian to ever receive this prestigious and coveted award. Mr. Makil has been named by The Business Journal as “One of the 100 Most Influential in Arizona” and “One of the Top Executives in Arizona.”

In addition to being a political and business leader, Former President Makil is a musician. He plays the trumpet and the guitar.


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