Comanche Nation Secretary Treasurer Benny Tahmahkera Sworn In

Benny Tahmahkera was sworn in as the Comanche Nation Business Committee (CBC) Secretary Treasurer on Thursday, October 30, at the Tribal Complex.

He said it’s a good time for him to come aboard.

“The Comanche Nation tribe is developing its own, or trying to develop its own financial department, and we're looking at different avenues of software, possibly bringing in,” Tahmahkera said. “We're looking at getting with each department, helping them go over, fine-tune their budgets. We have a program that we're working through right now with all the department heads and it's a change, but I think overall it's going to benefit not only the departments in managing their budgets, pinpointing exactly how their money is distributed, how they paid out, how money's brought in, and I think it's going to be an advantageous tool. But like I said, it's a change, but nobody likes change, but like I said, I think it's going to benefit our tribe in the long run.”

He said it will pinpoint actual budgets.

“You're going to see where your money is and how you're spending it. It’s not to say nobody's doing it right now, but…when you're preparing for your next year's budget, it'll give you an idea of your overs or your unders,” Tahmahkera said. “It's just, it's a good tool, I believe.”

He looks forward to working with the tribal government and seeing how things are done.

“Provide some input with our CBC, working with them hand-in-hand. We're a pretty cohesive group right now, I believe, and I think that…for our nation to be strong, our leaders have to be strong, and we have to…come to terms on whatever the issues are presented, and…leading our people in the right direction,” Tahmahkera said. “It can be hard at times, but that's our overall goal is to serve our people, and I feel I want to contribute to that, and I want to be…a part of this leadership that accomplishes our mission.”

There’s already been a lot learned.

“Every day is a learning experience, which is good,” he said. “…If I learn something new every day, like I said, I'm new in this position…this will be my second full day [November 3]…holding this office, but I think one of the more surprising things was how many different departments the Comanche Nation has within the tribe. I mean, I believe it's over 70, 72, somewhere around in there. I'm still kind of on the, still learning a lot of things, but I have a great team that supports me and working with me…I've been received well, and they understand the situation, and just bringing me up to speed. I've had some ideas already about things that I think that need to happen, and we're slowly going to implement those, but, or at least try to implement…some of the ideas that I have, but like I said, the supporting team is amazing.”

Tahmahkera said the wants to make sure there is organization in meetings and day-to-day.

He will hold the position until April and would like something in place for the next person to know what the job consists of.