Jennifer Pontinen recently was named director of finance and business development at the Bois Forte Development Corporation, managers of Fortune Bay Resort Casino in Tower, Minnesota and other businesses owned by the Bois Forte Band of Chippewa. Pontinen replaces Gary Gotchnik, who resigned in February following allegations of credit card misuse. Tribal officials said they have turned over to federal authorities information regarding the allegations.
Most recently Pontinen served as 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, record keeping and budgeting. Prior to that, she was a financial adviser for PrimeVest Financial Services Inc. & InterSecurities Inc., and as a business banker for Wells Fargo Bank.
Pontinen earned bachelor and master of business administration degrees from the University of Minnesota Duluth. She is a certified financial planner and a certified facilitator for Indianpreneurship Native American Business Planning Curriculum.
Norm Adams, chief executive of Bois Forte Development Corporation, said Pontinen previously helped the tribe develop a comprehensive feasibility study that analyzed business opportunities on the Bois Forte Reservation. Bois Forte Tribal Chairman Kevin Leecy added, “We are pleased to have Jennifer on our team. She will be a real asset as we continue to strengthen our existing businesses and explore new ventures.”
