About
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Email: apex@nadc-nabn.org
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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
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Phone: 406.259.3804
Abigail Omdahl
APEX Accelerator Program Manager
Abigail brings a strong background in operations management, with over a decade of experience leading multi-unit teams at Dairy Queen, Starbucks, and Applebee’s. She later transitioned into government contracting, spending three years specializing in government and provider relations for a major prime Medicare contractor. Following that, she returned to retail as a Fresh Operations Consultant for Walmart, where she spent another three years optimizing business operations.
Now with NADC APEX Accelerator for the past two years, Abigail has recently stepped into the role of Program Manager after serving as a Procurement Specialist. She is passionate about sharing the insights she has gained from both the private and government sectors, helping her clients navigate procurement opportunities and watching their businesses thrive.
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Email: aomdahl@nadc-nabn.org
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Phone: 406.696.4039
Robert Much
Government Contracting Specialist
Robert brings decades of experience in business development, government contracting, and financial services. Prior to joining NADC, he served as the Program Manager for the SBA 7(j) Technical Assistance Grant in 2020 and dedicated 21 years (1990–2011) to the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). During his tenure at the SBA, he held roles as a Commercial Loan Specialist, Business Development Specialist, and Business Opportunity Specialist, where he focused on underwriting and approving commercial loans, assisting entrepreneurs with business startups, and supporting businesses in government contracting and development.
In addition to his government service, Robert has 20 years of experience running his own tax preparation and bookkeeping business, providing invaluable financial expertise to small businesses.
Robert initially worked with NADC as a private consultant in government contracting before officially joining the APEX Accelerator team. A true people person, he values the relationships he builds and takes pride in helping Native businesses succeed in the government contracting space.
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Email: rmuch@nadc-nabn.org
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Phone: 406.442.8543
Dustin Little Owl
Procurement Specialist
Dustin Little Owl is an enrolled member of the Crow (Apsáalooke) Tribe and a descendant of the Blackfeet (Pikuni) Tribe. He resides on the Crow Reservation and brings a wealth of experience in natural resources, energy, and tribal governance.
Before joining NADC APEX Accelerator, Dustin spent over seven years in the oil, gas, and coal mining industries, gaining extensive expertise in land management and resource development. Prior to that, he served in various roles within the Crow Tribal Government and the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA). His positions included Grants Manager for the Crow Tribe Fish and Wildlife Department, GIS Specialist for the Crow Tribal Historic Preservation Office, and Compliance Officer at the BIA, where he specialized in land leasing. Additionally, he previously interned with NADC as an administrative assistant, gaining firsthand experience in business and economic development.
A natural problem-solver and "jack-of-all-trades," Dustin is known for his social nature, broad skill set, and commitment to supporting others. He enjoys sharing his knowledge and providing insightful guidance. Passionate about empowering Indigenous entrepreneurs, he looks forward to helping Native-owned businesses navigate and succeed in government contracting.
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Email: dlittleowl@nadc-nabn.org
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Phone: 406.690.2123
Craig Lafferty
Procurement Specialist
Craig Lafferty is a member of the Rosebud Sioux (Lakota) Tribe from Mission, South Dakota. With over 20 years of experience in the medical field, he previously served as the Director of Radiology for Rosebud Indian Health Service (IHS) before retiring in September 2019. Following his early retirement, Craig transitioned to full-time roles as a father, rancher, and business owner.
Alongside his father, Craig co-owns Lafferty Family LLC, a transportation company specializing in hauling livestock, hay, and other materials requiring flatbed transport. His background in procurement from his time with IHS gives him a deep understanding of government purchasing/contracting processes, further strengthening his expertise in business operations and logistics which makes him an asset to the NADC APEX Accelerator team.
Email: clafferty@nadc-nabn.org
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Phone: 406.690.2186
Alonzo Grant
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Procurement Specialist
Alonzo Grant is an enrolled of the Blackfeet (Pikuni) Nation. He is a highly skilled professional with a diverse background spanning construction, finance, business operations, and government contracting. Based in Billings, Montana, he brings extensive hands-on experience in project management, budgeting, and technical expertise across multiple industries.
With over two decades of experience, Alonzo has held key roles such as a Fireplace Installer, Carpenter, and Grants & Contracts Reconcile Specialist for the Crow Tribe of Indians. His career has also included positions in finance, where he worked as a Finance Technician at Blackfeet Community College, managing budgets, grants, and financial operations. Additionally, he has experience in logistics and procurement, having worked in government contracting and administration.
Alonzo's career has been built on a strong foundation of problem-solving, leadership, and technical proficiency. Whether managing construction projects, overseeing financial records, or navigating government procurement processes, he is known for his adaptability and dedication to excellence. Making him an excellent player on the APEX Accelerator Team.
Email: agrant@nadc-nabn.org
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Phone: 406.259.3804