Native American Development Corporation (NADC) serves as the host to the APEX Accelerator program. We work with Native American businesses in the Rocky Mountains and Great Plains Regions providing counseling, technical assistance and training to perform federal, state and local government procurement contracts. We aim to empower and support the overall growth and competitiveness of Native American enterprises.
NADC APEX is operated through a cooperative agreement with the US Dept. of Defense (DoD) Office Of Small Business Programs (OSBP).
Our Experience
Our team is ready to share our diverse bank of knowledge with you to help you achieve your goals.
Begin by applying so we can learn about you.
Next, one of our specialists will reach out to you to discuss next steps, provide resources, and get you on the path to success.
We will continue to be a helping hand as you grow your business endeavors. As a trusted partner you can contact us with questions along the way. And don't worry, we'll also follow up to see how you are doing.
Our Mission
We seek to maximize the number of capable Native American-owned companies in the Rocky Mountain and Great Plains Regions in the government marketplace.
We provide an understanding of the requirements of government contracting and the marketing know-how to successfully obtain and perform federal, state, local and tribal government contracts. We also collaborate with government agencies in order to connect them with optimal Native American business resources in our communities, further progressing overall growth and competitiveness of Native American enterprises.
Meet Your Team
With 50+ years of combined expertise and a pristine record of success stories spanning our 30+ years of operations, our team is ready to help you.
Leonard Smith
CEO, NADC
Leonard is a proud member of the Assiniboine & Sioux Tribes from the Fort Peck Reservation in Montana. As the founder and CEO of the Native American Development Corporation (NADC), he brings over 30 years of expertise in business and economic development, working closely with Tribal Nations and Native American organizations.
Leonard leads the vision and direction of NADC, which serves as the parent organization for technical assistance and training programs supporting Native-owned businesses across Montana, Wyoming, North Dakota, and South Dakota. Passionate about fostering economic growth, he is dedicated to creating business opportunities that empower Tribes and Native entrepreneurs to thrive.
Email: apex@nadc-nabn.org
Phone: 406.259.3804
Mary Walks Over Ice
COO
Mary Walks Over Ice is an enrolled member of the Assiniboine (Nakoda) Tribe from the Fort Belknap Indian Reservation in north-central Montana. She is also a descendant of the Gros Ventre (Aaniiih) and the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians.
With over a decade of service at NADC, Mary has held multiple roles, providing direct technical assistance to tribes and Native-owned businesses. As the Chief Operating Officer (COO), she oversees the organization’s ongoing operations and procedures, ensuring efficiency and effectiveness in its initiatives.
Mary has extensive experience in project management, particularly in overseeing construction projects on reservations. Her expertise includes contract administration, bid preparation, and compliance reviews for multiple funding agencies, including the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), USDA Rural Development, Indian Health Service (IHS), the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), and various tribal governmental entities across the region.
Bringing a wealth of knowledge, Mary specializes in marketing, proposal writing, bid evaluation, contract negotiation, project management, and small business operations. Her dedication to supporting Indigenous businesses and communities is evident in her work.
Outside of her professional life, Mary is a devoted wife, mother of four, and proud grandmother to several grandchildren.
Email: mwalksoverice@nadc-nabn.org
Phone: 406.259.3804
Holly Old Crow
Program Manager
Holly Old Crow is an enrolled member of the Apsaalooke (Crow) Tribe and serves as Program Manager with the NADC APEX Accelerator. She brings a strong background in federal Indian law, regulatory compliance, and policy analysis, supporting Indigenous and small business owners as they navigate government contracting and procurement opportunities.
Holly is a member of the Crow Tribal Courts Commission on Practice and serves on the Executive Committee of the Montana State Bar Indian Law Section. Her professional experience reflects a deep commitment to public service, legal advocacy, and strengthening systems that support Tribal sovereignty and economic development.
She earned degrees from Little Big Horn College and Montana State University and received her Juris Doctor from the Alexander Blewett III School of Law in 2024.
“I’m genuinely excited to step into this role with APEX and do work that feels meaningful to both me and the communities we serve,” Holly shared.
Holly is also a U.S. Army National Guard veteran, a proud parent of two, and enjoys participating in recreational softball. Known by her Apsaalooke name, Aapaaxeeheeliincheesh (White Amongst the Clouds), she brings dedication, leadership, and a community-centered approach to her work at NADC APEX.
Email: Holdcrow@nadc-nabn.org
Phone: 406-259-3804
Alicia Smith
Procurement Specialist
Alicia Smith serves as a Procurement Specialist with the Native American Development Corporation (NADC) APEX Accelerator, supporting businesses across Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming.
Alicia brings a background in entrepreneurship, business development, marketing, and Indigenous economic development. Her experience includes business ownership, business operations, and work in the oil and gas industry. Her professional strengths include branding, strategic outreach, and partnership development with Tribal governments, Native owned businesses, and industry partners.
Her work within NADC includes both the Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) and APEX Accelerator programs. This experience complements her private sector background with an understanding of Native business development and government contracting.
Alicia serves on the boards of Splatsin Development Corporation and Splatsin Tsm7aksaltn (Splatsin Teaching Centre) Society, as well as the Splatsin Housing Committee. These responsibilities contribute governance and organizational oversight experience across economic development, early childhood education, and housing.
Alicia is a member of Splatsin First Nation in British Columbia, with Kootney roots from Akisqnuk First Nation.
Email: Asmith@nadc-nadn.org
Phone: 406-591-4928
Lynnette Engelhardt
Procurement Specialist
Lynnette Engelhardt serves western Montana as a Procurement Specialist with the Native American Development Corporation APEX Accelerator.
During her years with the Montana APEX Accelerator, Lynnette worked with businesses across the state to help them navigate government contracting. Her role at NADC provides an opportunity to reconnect with familiar businesses and build new relationships with Native business owners, Tribal enterprises, and communities throughout western Montana.
Lynnette believes meaningful support begins with listening and understanding the people behind each business. She recognizes that every Tribal Nation has its own history, priorities, and vision for economic development. Her approach centers on learning from the communities she serves and supporting business goals in ways that respect those priorities.
With a background in financial management and procurement, Lynnette helps business owners understand the contracting process, work through challenges, and identify opportunities that fit their capabilities. She offers practical guidance to businesses exploring government contracting for the first time and those looking to expand their contracting opportunities.
Outside of work, Lynnette enjoys spending time with her husband and children, cheering on her kids at sporting events, camping, and fishing in Southwest Montana.
Email: Lengelhardt@nadc-nadn.org
Phone: 406-696-4039
