Few employers have undergone the growth in economic and personnel terms like that the Citizen Potawatomi Nation has in the past decade. Once an employer of just more than 200, today the tribe now employs approximately 2,400 at its commercial enterprises and tribal departments. Each Monday, at least 10 new employees arrive at the tribal administration building for job orientations. To help manage current and future employment needs, the CPN Human Resources Department expanded as well, and the Hownikan spoke with some of its newest employees.

Samantha Thomas: 

“Originally I am from a small town, Howard, Kansas…

“HR was an area of concentration through my studies at St. Gregory’s University. I am employed at CPN as a human resources generalist and I am responsible for recruiting and hiring new employees, adding new positions to FireLakeJobs.com and suspensions and terminations…

“My biggest challenge is my sense of empathy; People are not perfect, yet they need to be held accountable…

“The aspect I enjoy the most is having the ability to have a positive impact on people…”

Lane Howard:

“I am from Shawnee originally and have lived here my entire life…

“Before coming here I worked in HR departments at the Hobby Lobby warehouse and George Fischer. I applied here because it was a good opportunity to further my career in my hometown…

“I’m an HR generalist, responsibly handling personnel issues for various departments across CPN. So my day-to-day responsibilities are really dependent on what my managers need from me at a given time…

“I enjoy working with the people the most. The biggest challenge in HR is making sure I’ve done all my due diligence when it comes to making decisions…”

Amy Stinger:

“I am from Shawnee, Oklahoma…

“Before I came to CPN I worked at
my family’s daycare… 

“I am a tribal member from the Bourbonnais family…

“My position is as an HR assistant. I have always loved office work and wanted to work for CPN so I applied for everything I could and luckily I was offered my position. I am at the front door so I greet and direct anyone who comes in or calls. I assist everyone in HR with anything that they need done and I take any mail or paperwork for HR to the person it belongs to…

“The biggest challenge for me is situations where people are very angry. On the positive side, I really like getting to meet and know so many different people…”