Crystal Pierce

Crystal (Cris) Pierce is a Procurement Specialist with the American Indian Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) hosted by the National Center. The American Indian PTAC assists American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian owned small businesses to effectively compete in government contracting on the federal, state, and local government levels. Cris works with businesses in the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) Eastern Region.

Cris has a long-standing relationship with the National Center and its predecessor, the United Indian Development Association (UIDA) that dates to the Decade Dinner celebrating the 10th anniversary of UIDA. She was part of the first Indian Progress in Business (INPRO) Awards Dinner, the first Reservation Economic Summit (RES), and so many other firsts for the organization. She served the organization in many capacities including Project Director for the California Indian Business Development Center and for the North Carolina Native American Business Enterprise Center funded by the U.S. Department of Commerce, Minority Business Development Agency. Cris returned in 2019 to the position of Procurement Specialist with the National Center American Indian PTAC. On hiatus from the National Center, Cris was Program Manager for the regional PTAC hosted by the Northwest Pennsylvania Regional Planning and Development Commission in Oil City.

Cris is a member of the Association of Procurement Technical Assistance Centers (APTAC) and is a Certified Procurement Professional (CPP). Cris is a graduate of Niagara University. She pursued a career in government and public relations until she was introduced to the organization now known as the National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development.