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 Rob Nesvold’s family has lived in the Seneca, MO, area for generations. He graduated from Seneca High School in 1987 and attended Missouri State University, graduating in 1991 with a bachelor’s degree in Public Administration with an emphasis in History and Public Law.  He pursued a master’s degree in Public Administration before choosing to move back to Seneca and start his family.

Nesvold worked at Leggett and Platt in Carthage, MO, from 1992 to 2024, then took a new position at Digger Specialties, where he worked as a Crew Lead.

After the constitution of the Wyandotte Nation of Oklahoma was ratified in 1999, he was approached by Chief Bearskin to be on the Election Committee. He proudly served as a member, vice chairman, and chairman for 18 years.

He has been serving as a Council Person on the Wyandotte Nation Board of Directors since November 2021.