Billy Friend began working for the Wyandotte Nation in 1998 as fitness center manager. Since that time, he was promoted to human resource director, director of health services, casino manager, and Chief of Staff.

In 2006, he was elected to the position of Second Chief.  In this role, he served under Chief Leaford Bearskin, whom he considered his mentor and friend.  In 2011, Chief Bearskin stepped down and Friend began his first term.  Chief Friend was elected in 2013.

In his first term, Chief Friend established goals of economic development and self-sufficiency for the Wyandotte Nation and its people.

Under Chief Friend’s leadership, the Wyandotte Nation economically has grown to over 800 employees, with gross revenues of tribal enterprises producing over $100 million dollars, which helps fund and subsidize all of the tribal social service programs.

Second Chief Norman Hildebrand, Jr. was born in Miami, Okla., in 1951 where he lived some of the best years of his life. His Wyandotte heritage comes from his Grandmother Alice (Harris) Hildebrand’s side of the family.

Hildebrand graduated from Miami High School in 1969, went to NEO A&M College and graduated from there in 1973 with an Associate of Arts degree in business.

Hildebrand spent 12 years on the Wyandotte Nation Grievance Committee, then in 2004, a position on the Board of Directors became vacant.

“Chief Bearskin asked me if I would be interested in a seat on the Board, so I said yes (it was hard to say no to Chief Bearskin),” Hildebrand said. “Then in 2010 Chief called me into his office and told me he was wanting to retire and asked if I would be interested in becoming the next Second Chief. I gave it some thought and said yes. In 2011 Chief Bearskin announced his retirement plans and on June 1, 2011, I became Second Chief.”