Leadership
Steven Stewart
Chief Information Officer
Steve Stewart serves as the Chief Information Officer (CIO) for the Poarch Creek Indians Tribal Government. With more than four decades of experience in information technology and executive leadership, Steve brings a thoughtful, purpose-driven approach to modernizing the Tribe’s systems and strengthening government operations. His career began in the U.S. Navy, where he served as a Missile Technician aboard Fleet Ballistic Missile Submarines, gaining the discipline and technical foundation that guided his transition into the IT field.
Steve has served in key leadership roles across tribal gaming, private industry, and tribal government, including more than ten years as CIO for the Muckleshoot Indian Tribe. His experience includes major infrastructure modernization efforts, cybersecurity advancements, workforce development initiatives, and the design of complex enterprise systems. At Poarch Creek Indians, Steve leads the Tribe’s strategic technology roadmap, guiding major initiatives such as Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) modernization, data integration, and the Tribal Services Management System (TSMS). His work centers on strengthening efficiency, improving access to services, and building long-term sustainability for Tribal operations.
For more information contact: Teresa Franklin, Administrative Assistant at (251) 368-9136 ext. 2202
Learn more about Steven
Steve Stewart was born in Oregon and grew up across the United States and abroad, spending time in Thailand and the Philippines during his early life. His Navy service sparked his interest in complex systems and gave him the technical background that helped him transition into the growing field of computer technology in the early 1990s. After his military career, Steve worked in the private sector before entering Indian Country in 1999 as a Project Manager at Spirit Mountain Casino. His work eventually led him into senior leadership roles for multiple tribal governments, shaping the experience he brings to Poarch today.
As Chief Information Officer, Steve leads technology operations across Tribal Government. His responsibilities include cybersecurity, network infrastructure, strategic planning, enterprise data systems, and collaboration with executive leadership to support major government-wide initiatives. He oversees key projects such as the ERP modernization, TSMS deployment, and cybersecurity enhancements, all designed to strengthen government operations and support Tribal sovereignty.
Throughout his career, Steve has valued fairness, open communication, and collaborative leadership. He is committed to building strong teams, supporting professional development, and ensuring IT systems provide meaningful value to Tribal citizens and Tribal Government staff.
Steve’s vision focuses on building a resilient, future-ready technology environment that empowers the Tribe for years to come. His priorities include unifying core systems, expanding digital access for Tribal citizens, advancing data analytics to support leadership decisions, modernizing health records, and strengthening cybersecurity across the enterprise.
A central part of his vision includes mentoring and developing internal IT talent. Steve believes that long-term success relies not only on strong systems but on building a knowledgeable workforce that reflects the community it serves.
Steve stays connected to the community by attending Tribal events, engaging with staff and community members, and learning about the Tribe’s historical way of life. He has supported cultural preservation initiatives through implementing new museum information systems, GIS mapping of culturally significant lands, and digital tools that protect the Tribe’s historical resources. The GIS initiative at the Tribe will include efforts to preserve cultural and historical Tribal information, map culturally significant sites, improve cemetery plot mapping and management, document the Poarch community’s physical infrastructure, map and document Tribally owned land to support Tribal sovereignty, and strengthen public safety.
He also values creating opportunities for young people to explore technology as a career path, including youth visits to the IT department and mentorship initiatives he has supported throughout his years in tribal government.
Steve holds an MBA with a concentration in IT Management and maintains multiple professional certifications. A lifelong learner, he is pursuing a Graduate Gemologist certification and enjoys reading about quantum physics and cosmology. In his spare time, he writes, cuts gemstones, crafts jewelry, participates in SIM racing, and maintains several personal collections. These hobbies reflect his curiosity, creativity, and appreciation for craftsmanship and continuous learning.
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