ROGER FRAGUA (JEMEZ PUEBLO), CO-FOUNDER & EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Roger Fragua has dedicated his professional career to the advancement and development of American Indian communities. Roger is currently the President of Cota Holdings, LLC, whose mission is to support Tribal community and economic development in the energy and telecommunication sectors.  Roger has also worked with the Western Governors’ Association and the National Tribal Environmental Council on State and Tribal relations as it relates to environmental issues. The basis for Roger’s commitment to Indian Country began during his tenure as the Tribal Administrator for his own Pueblo, where he served as the Tribal political and business resource for several years.

BROPHY TOLEDO (JEMEZ PUEBLO), CO-FOUNDER & CULTURAL ADVISOR

Joseph Brophy Toledo has served the Pueblo of Jemez in various capacities for over 4 decades. He has worked with numerous indigenous youth groups, his is an adjunct instructor for IAIA, he has worked for as a creative consultant for Robert Mirabal Productions, he has served on the Native American Global Sports Committee, and has been instrumental in various international indigenous projects such as Pueblo Pathways Project and he has traveled to Mexico, Canada and Africa as a First Nations representative for Earth healing and environmental conferences and efforts.

ATHERTON “ATTY” PHLEGER, GENERAL COUNSEL AND DIRECTOR OF SPECIAL PROJECTS

Atherton "Atty" Phleger is an attorney with a background in tribal economic development, strategic planning, and climate resilience. Atherton graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of New Mexico School of Law with a J.D. and a Certificate in Natural Resources Law. He also holds a B.A. in English from the University of Colorado, Boulder, where he graduated as Valedictorian of the English Department.

As General Counsel and Director of Special Projects, Atty supports Flower Hill by providing strategic and legal advice, identifying new opportunities for organizational growth and impact in Indian Country, and managing Flower Hill's emerging projects and programs.

Earlier in his career, Atty served as Program Director at Climate Advocates Voces Unidas (CAVU), and New Mexico Tribal Liaison for the South Central Climate Adaptation Science Center. In those roles, he successfully managed tribal engagement projects, collaborated with tribal stakeholders, and played a pivotal role in the development of regional intertribal adaptation planning efforts. Atty also served as the Vice-Chair of the Board of Directors for Flower Hill for 7 years before transitioning to his current role.

Atty’s professional history demonstrates strong commitments to furthering Tribal sovereignty, climate adaptation, and economic justice. He is grateful for the ability to further these commitments through his work at Flower Hill.

NICOLE HENRIQUEZ MAST, DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS

Nicole is a logistics expert with over 15 years of business operations experience working with local start-ups and small businesses. She has a keen interest in ensuring the core foundation and structure of an organization is sound and able to support its mission and goals. Having served in key management roles, she not only understands how fundamental operations are to the success of a business but also how to establish and align priorities to meet its growth targets.

BRYN FRAGUA (JEMEZ PUEBLO), SENIOR ADVISOR AND AGRICULTURAL DIRECTOR

Bryn Fragua uses his extensive background providing services to Tribal governments, Tribal associations, and Tribal communities in a variety of capacities. He brings valuable insight from Tribal community perspective and is knowledgeable on issues concerning environmental, energy, and social projects. Bryn takes pride in providing logical and efficient solutions with projects. Bryn has been recognized for his commitment to serving Tribal communities. From coordinating and leading health and fitness camps for Tribal community youth to assisting with the execution and management of FEMA projects on Tribal lands. Bryn is a member of the Pueblo of Jemez, and a proud father of two happy children. Bryn farms growing traditional crops from his community, encourages and practices cultural preservation. He also enjoys history with a focus in southwestern archaeology and anthropology. He is also an advocate for many outdoor hobbies such as hiking, fishing, and wilderness foraging.

DAVE CARTER, REGIONAL TA PROVIDER DIRECTOR, MPPTA PROGRAM

Dave Carter is a Regional Director of the MPPTA Program supporting producers seeking to create a more resilient, diversified, and equitable meat and poultry processing system in the United States.

From 2001 through March 2022, Carter served as executive director of the 1,200-member National Bison Association, where he worked to strengthen production and marketing systems for North American bison ranchers. He was a leader in the successful six-year campaign to win the Congressional designation of bison as the National Mammal of the United States. Carter was one of the organizers of the Center of Excellence for Bison Studies at South Dakota State University in 2020. The National Buffalo Foundation inducted Carter into the National Buffalo Hall of Fame in 2020.

He has also operated Crystal Springs Consulting, Inc. since 2001 and has worked extensively on issues relating to organic and natural food marketing, cooperative development, meat processing, tribal food sovereignty, cooperative development, and regenerative agriculture.

He is the former Chair of USDA’s National Organic Standards Board. He later helped gain regulatory approval for non-GMO labeling of meat, poultry, and dairy products sourced from animals fed diets without genetically modified ingredients. Prior to 2002, Carter had a 25-year career with the Rocky Mountain Farmers Union and National Farmers Union. 

Dave and his wife, Sue, are partners in a holistically managed bison herd on a 7,800-acre ranch owned by the Savory Institute in eastern Colorado.

CHRIS ROPER, REGIONAL TA PROVIDER DIRECTOR, MPPTA PROGRAM

Chris Roper is a Regional Director of the MPPTA Program supporting producers seeking to create a more resilient, diversified, and equitable meat and poultry processing system in the United States.

Prior to joining the Flowerhill Team, Chris had spent over 15 years working with Native American Tribes developing projects and leading teams in economic development, construction management, agricultural development, and food security.

From 2005-2007 Chris worked in construction management and managed construction projects ranging from hospitals, colleges, hotels, condominiums, and office buildings.

Chris and his wife Kelly live in south central Missouri and raise beef cattle.  Together they have 5 kids and one dog and enjoy traveling around the United States helping on projects wherever they can.

SHELBY WHITE (CHEROKEE NATION), INTAKE & AWARDS MANAGER, MPPTA PROGRAM

Shelby White is a Cherokee Nation citizen living in Oklahoma. She specializes in grant writing, food systems design, program planning and evaluation, data management, Indigenous research methodologies, and social marketing. Her heartwork focuses on tribal nation building through the intersection of public health, agriculture, and education. She collaborates with schools, universities, food distribution centers, and tribal governments to create holistic, community-oriented programs across Indian Country. She is currently a Ph.D. student studying Educational Leadership and Policy Studies at the University of Oklahoma. Shelby also has a Master of Public Health degree in Health Promotion Sciences from the University of Oklahoma and a B.A. in Science, Technology & Society from Butler University. 

She currently serves as the Intake & Awards Manager for Flower Hill Institute’s USDA MPPTA project. She also conducts food sovereignty assessments, writes grants, and manages projects focusing on Native agriculture and Indigenous foodways.

HARLEIGH MOORE-WILSON (OSAGE NATION), PROJECT DIRECTOR

Harleigh Moore-Wilson, a citizen of the Osage Nation, has a diverse set of talents and education that make her a well-rounded individual. With a background in Agricultural Engineering and Food Science and a dedication to Native American communities, she is promoting food sovereignty among Tribes across the United States. Harleigh's entrepreneurial spirit, paired with her MBA, empowered her to establish a company dedicated to serving Native American communities. Through this company, she leverages her expertise in Agricultural Engineering and Food Science to make a meaningful impact. Pursuing a Doctorate in Food Science with a focus on Food Safety, Harleigh is committed to ensuring the quality and safety of indigenous food sources. Her focus on bison-related initiatives honors her heritage and preserves traditional food systems. Outside her academic and professional careers, Harleigh's passion for Osage culture shines through her engagement in teaching beadwork to younger generations ensures that Osage traditions continue to thrive. Harleigh's diverse approach to preserving indigenous knowledge and culture, both professionally and personally, shows her deep-rooted commitment to her community's well-being and cultural heritage. Her Osage heritage serves as a testament to the strength, courage, and enduring spirit of the Osage people, inspiring her to honor Osage legacy through her work and advocacy.

KELLY GUNTER, PROJECT COORDINATOR, FSA PROGRAM

Kelly Gunter is an experienced consultant for non-profit organizations with a focus on educating communities in agricultural programs, expanding food knowledge and origins while promoting local food sovereignty. While serving in positions such as Office Administrator of a civil engineering firm and as Assistant Director of a construction related nonprofit, Kelly gained experience in grant reimbursement, reporting, and awards education and has honed her skills in bookkeeping, accounting, tax and insurance navigation and is accomplished in coordinating and implementing large group projects and services. Her more than two decades of work with multiple non-profits has given her the opportunity to assist underserved communities offering innovative solutions to inherent issues. She received her B.S. of Sociology from Missouri State University with a minor in Religious Studies. Kelly was raised in the Missouri Ozarks in a rural area, where farming and ranching are prevalent, so she has a first-hand understanding of the hardships and merits of living in a small community and the food challenges that can be encountered there. She is especially interested in conservation endeavors applying common sense answers to challenges faced by agricultural businesses and passing this knowledge along to others.

LORETTA HINTON, TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE MANAGER, FSA PROGRAM

Loretta Hinton, retired from the Farm Service Agency as a lead Program Technician after 34 years of service. Loretta was fortunate to work with farmers in Texas county, the largest county in Missouri. She grew up and still resides there in the county seat. She began her profession with Agricultural Stabilization & Conservation Service (ASCS), later changed to Farm Service Agency to administer USDA farm programs that are federally funded. She kept the database current with all the names, address, farm records, and reporting information for all participating producers. She took pride in always treating each producer equal and fair. She followed policy and complex regulations per handbook procedures to complete every application in an efficient and timely manner. She was the lead technician in various programs and was deemed an expert by her superiors.

Her career spanned many farm bills, countless disaster programs caused by flood and droughts, dairy, continuous signups and County Committee elections. She was the Acting County Executive Director for most of her career. This position put her in charge of day to day operations of 4 additional counties located in two separate offices. She learned to oversee every aspect of each office and coordinate with other state, local and federal agencies.

Since retiring in May of 2023, she has assisted producers nationwide with Flower Hill Institute and she is a substitute teacher for classes in a local school district. In her spare time, she enjoys attending CrossFit class, camping and sewing quilts.

SHAUNDIN JONES (NAVAJO NATION), COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER, FSA PROGRAM

Shaundin Jones is a graphic designer and experienced communications manager for Flower Hill Institute. His educational background in film and media studies has helped him excel at developing effective digital marketing strategies and engaging content. 

He’s passionate about supporting Indigenous-led projects through volunteer opportunities with local Indigenous non-profits and community events in New York City. He also freelances as a graphic designer and photographer for local NYC artists and clients, including the New York State Department of Health. His involvement in non-profit and community organizing began in 2018 when he facilitated educational workshops on college preparation and financial aid in rural Native communities for a summer internship. 

Shaundin now uses his skills and experience to reach farmers and ranchers nationwide and market disaster relief programs and farm funding to rural producers and small business owners. He currently helps manage the organization's social media platforms and communication channels for the FSA Disaster Assistance program, creating digital resources and content promoting relief efforts and news related to grant funding and program announcements.

MARCOS PERERA, TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE & OUTREACH MANAGER, FSA PROGRAM

Marcos Perera exemplifies the entrepreneurial spirit, leveraging his humble beginnings in rural Argentina as a springboard to becoming a global business leader. With over 19 years of experience in international sales, supply chain management, and market development, Marcos honed his go-getter mentality by blending resilience with an insatiable curiosity. He holds a degree in Professional Pilot Technology with a minor in International Leadership from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, equipping him with the skills to excel in both technical and leadership roles.

As a Technical Assistant and Outreach Manager at Flower Hill Institute, he supports underserved farmers, connecting them with resources and programs to elevate their agricultural operations. His unique background, combining technical expertise and entrepreneurial savvy, makes him an indispensable ally to producers striving for success.

MIKE SHELLENBERGER, TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE MANAGER, FSA PROGRAM

Mike Shellenberger was raised and lives in Toppenish WA on the Yakama Indian Reservation.  Toppenish is a community located in the heart of the Yakima Valley.  The Yakima Valley is known for its diverse agriculture and is number one in hop and apple production in the United States.  Mike comes from a ranch and farm background and began working in hops at the age of 15 and continued working for several cattle ranchers and farmers for many years. He has operated a small ranch operation for the past 30 years raising cattle, pigs, sheep, goats and meat rabbits. He has spent the past 23 years working with Native Americans and Native American Tribes in the Pacific Northwest as a USDA Technical Assistance Specialist.  Mike has specialized in being a USDA Technical Assistance Specialist for FSA, NRCS, RD and FRTEP.  He has had numerous success stories with Native Americans and Native American Tribes.  Mike particularly enjoys working with the youth 4-H and FFA programs and believes that the future of agriculture is with the ability to educate, mentor and provide resources to the youth.  His passion, commitment, and experience in helping people are his greatest strengths.  Mike is looking forward to bringing his knowledge of FSA programs to the Flower Hill Institute team.  He is eager to continue working with people to help them succeed in agriculture and is very grateful to the Flower Hill Institute team in providing him the opportunity to do so.