John Rivera serves as the Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO). He leads a people-first strategy that attracts, develops, and retains a high‑performing workforce while aligning Human Resources (HR) practices with the Tribe’s mission and long‑term priorities. John’s scope spans the complete HR portfolio—talent acquisition, employee relations, organizational development, compensation and benefits, Human Resources Information Systems, employee recognition, and compliance—with a constant focus on service to Tribal Government employees and, through them, Tribal Citizens.
A data‑informed and collaborative leader, John partners closely with the Tribal Chair, Tribal Council, and division leaders at Tribal Government to build systems that are transparent, fair, and effective. He’s known for tailoring leadership support to the needs of individual teams, modernizing core HR tools and processes, and fostering an inclusive culture where employees can grow and do their best work.
For more information contact: John Rivera at (251) 368-9136 ext. 2065
Raised in Dallas, Texas, by two English teachers, John learned early the value of service, integrity, and hard work. He earned dual undergraduate degrees from the University of North Texas and an MBA from the University of Texas. His career spans international manufacturing (aerospace and maritime), 17 years in corporate hospitality HR, and service as Vice President of HR for a global contact center organization. That broad experience taught him how to build scalable HR strategies across very diverse workforces—experience he brings to support the Tribe’s sovereignty and self‑determination.
John is most proud of the people he’s coached into bigger roles. Seeing former team members thrive is, to him, the best career milestone.
As CHRO, John leads the Tribe’s HR strategy and operations across:
He prioritizes open communication and practical support, aligning HR priorities with what matters most to Tribal Citizens and the departments that serve them. Under his leadership, HR is streamlining onboarding, expanding professional development, enhancing manager toolkits, and improving reporting accuracy and accessibility.
John’s vision is simple and ambitious: get the right people into the right roles, give them the right tools, and create clear paths to grow. In the short term, that means implementing and driving adoption of modern HR systems, strengthening listening and forecasting mechanisms, and sharpening metrics that connect people outcomes to service quality. For the long term, it means a resilient, values‑driven workforce that sustains prosperity for generations.
John stays close to the work—listening to employees, meeting with interns each summer, and engaging with teams across programs. He ensures HR practices honor Tribal culture and support programs that preserve and celebrate Creek heritage, while advancing wellness, work‑life balance, and career mobility.
John loves reading, traveling, going to concerts, and playing guitar (neighbors’ reviews pending). He cites Mr. Rogers as a role model for empathy and steadiness—an ideal he admits he’s chasing daily. His guiding philosophy: serve with integrity, treat people with respect, and always build with the next generation in mind.
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For Tribal Bill Pay login assistance, contact Candy Byrd at (251) 368-9136 ext 2006 or cbyrd@pci-nsn.gov
The Roundhouse is accessible to Tribal Citizens and Tribal Government Employees only. For login assistance, please email theroundhouse@pci-nsn.gov or call Sharon Delmar at (251) 368-9136 ext 2216
