Bill Anoatubby Elected Governor

Bill Anoatubby began working for the Chickasaw Nation in 1975 as its health services director. In 1976 he was asked to direct its finance department and was promoted to special assistant to the governor and controller in 1978. He was elected as the first Lt. Governor in 1979 by popular vote of the tribe’s citizens.

Elected Governor in 1987, he established goals of economic development and self-sufficiency for the Chickasaw Nation and its people. Today the tribe is well on its way to accomplishing those goals. In 1987, the tribe had about 250 employees. Today that number has grown to more than 12,000 employees, more than 50 government programs and numerous tribal businesses.