Justin Wilson
President / Chairman
As President and Managing Director of Plains Ventures, Justin is responsible for day-to-day management of Plains’ investment activities. He leads an experienced team that sources, evaluates, structures, and closes new investment in high-growth companies and engages with portfolio companies’ post-investment to maximize their chances for success. With a background in private equity, medicine, federal government, Tribal finance, and non-profit leadership, Justin brings a variety of perspectives to the firm. He is a proud Tribal Member of the Choctaw Nation, where he served as Director of Strategic Investments at Choctaw Global.
Prior to his time with his Tribe, he served as Advisor to the Special Trustee for American Indians in the Federal Government. Justin holds a BS in Physiology from Oklahoma State University and an MBA from the Yale School of Management. He lives in Edmond, Oklahoma, with his wife, Brooklyn, and two sons, Rhett and Ryder.
JoAnn Kaufman, MPH
Secretary
Ms. Kauffman (Nez Perce) has worked to advance tribal and urban Indian communities in the areas of community development, justice, education, environmental protections, and public health policy for more than 40 years. After leading numerous local nonprofits, including establishing tribal health care facilities in rural Idaho and leading the Seattle Indian Health Board, she founded Kauffman and Associates, (KAI) in 1990. She has grown KAI over 33 years impacting tribal communities nationwide and supporting numerous federal agencies, including the Departments of Health and Human Services, Justice, Education, Environment, Commerce, Homeland Security, and the Interior.
She continues to lead her company as President, overseeing numerous contracts and professionals who share her passion for doing work that matters. She currently serves several boards, including: the Governing Council for the University of Toronto’s M.S.W. Indigenous Trauma and Resiliency Program; the International Indigenous Council (IIC), which oversees the Healing Our Spirit Worldwide Conference; Craft3 a regional CDFI; Empire Health Community Advocacy Fund a 501 C-4; the Nez Perce Wallowa Homelands Project; and the Sovereign Equity Fund.
She holds a master of public health degree from the University of California at Berkeley. In 2017 she was awarded an honorary doctorate from Eastern Washington University, after completing 12 years on its Board of Trustees, including two terms as Board Chair of the regional university.
Dr. Richard Luarkie
Treasurer
Dr. Richard Luarkie is a visionary leader with an impressive track record spanning over two decades in economic and business development leadership roles in Indian Country. Prior to joining Blue Stone, Dr. Luarkie served as CEO of Tamaya Ventures.
Drawing from his diverse Tribal, public, and private sector experience in business development, strategy, and economic advancement, Dr. Luarkie has honed his skills as a dynamic entrepreneur, a recognized Tribal leader, and strategic thinker. His experience as a competitor analyst and business development executive has provided him the tools to be creative and impactful with business capture strategy, business development, tech transfer and commercialization approaches, and business diversification.
Beyond his professional endeavors, Dr. Luarkie has embraced public leadership roles in his home tribe which is evidenced by his service as a two-term Governor for the Pueblo of Laguna. In addition, his invaluable contributions to numerous local and national boards and committees, including his position on the Board of Trustees for the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian, attest to his unwavering dedication to fostering cultural understanding and inclusivity.
Dr. Luarkie has earned a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from the University of New Mexico, an MBA from New Mexico State University, and a PhD from Arizona State University.