The National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development (NCAIED) selected Broken Arrow business owner, Bobby Cook to their 2013 “Native American 40 Under 40” class.

The prestigious award recognizes 40 emerging American Indian leaders from across Indian Country who have demonstrated leadership, initiative, and dedication and made significant contributions in business and/or in their community.

The 2013 Native American 40 Under 40 Awards will be presented at NCAIED’s 38th Annual Indian Progress In Business Awards Gala being held at the Reservation Economic Summit (RES) in Arizona Oct. 24 at the Wild Horse Pass Hotel & Casino.

“When the Cherokee Nation contacted me, I was really surprised,” Cook said. “It’s exciting to be honored for helping Indian-owned businesses or other Indian non-profits.”

Cook owns The C3 Group, an Advertising Agency in Broken Arrow. He created The C3 Group in 2005 in Fayetteville, Ark., but moved the agency to Broken Arrow in Aug. 2013.

Cook has a home office and “a lot more opportunity to work with the Tribes.”

Currently, Cook and his company work with many Tribes and Indian-owned businesses across the United States. The C3 group created and maintains CherokeeTERO.com, the largest online database of certified Indian-owned businesses. The C3 Group is a five-time Addy Award winner and has been recognized numerous times for their service to non-profits across Oklahoma and Arkansas. Cook believes the only way forward is to give back and will continue helping his community through the services his agency provides.

Of the 40 Under 40 named to the 2013 class, Cook shares a spot with three other Cherokee Nation citizens. Courtney Ruark-Thompson, Cherokee Nation Executive Director of Government Relations; David Walkingstick, Cherokee Nation Tribal Council and Elyse Bealer, Merck.