Sean Lawrence is no stranger to community work, professional success, and passionate drive for his home. He artfully balances life as a tribal program manager at Säzän Group Inc., Gaming Commission chair at Lummi, Secretary/Treasurer of the Lummi Development Holding Company, and small business owner.
Gaming Commission
Lawrence has been a chair with the Gaming Commission for the Lummi Tribe on and off since he was old enough to gamble, at the age of 21.
“I’ve been the chair of the commission, responsible for being what’s called an agent of service for the National Indian Gaming Commission, ensuring compliance and delivery of documents and communication between the Federal Agency and the tribe,” he says. “I’m also responsible for guiding the Commission as we make decisions regarding license activities, contracts, regulations, and quite frankly, when we propose amendments to our Class III gaming compact with the State of Washington.”
Before Gaming Commission
When Lawrence was 21, he had just graduated from Northwest Indian College with a Bachelor of Arts in tribal governance and business management, as part of their first cohort.
“When I was going to Northwest Indian College, we were always instilled to give back to the community,” he says. “I felt that being a member on the Gaming Commission at such a young age, that I could give back to my community in that way.
Lawrence’s hunch turned out to be right. “We use different operating systems and communicate to Tribal, State, and Federal stakeholders to carry out our duties and responsibilities,” he says. “Shortly after I got on the Commission, within a year and a half, I became the chair. It’s been eight years on the Gaming Commission since.”
Engineering
Lawrence started his role at Säzän in July, focusing on mechanical, electrical, plumbing and clean energy projects for tribes. His interest in engineering began in high school. “I was a J.O.M. tutor, and in that role, I would tutor students that were in elementary school,” he says. “In high school, we’re required to do a job shadow for career development, and I decided to job shadow two engineers at two local engineering firms.”
The day after his second job shadow, Lawrence was offered a job, so when he wasn’t spending time as a J.O.M. tutor, he was an engineering intern at a firm in Ferndale. “That was a great opportunity to get exposed to, at that time, civil engineering,” he says. “I love numbers. I still do, but being analytical, and being able to see the built environment and those concept designs, to going out in the field and seeing them built, inspected, and running, was exciting.”
At Säzän, as a tribal program manager, Lawrence is able to meet and work with tribes throughout the region in Washington, Oregon, and Arizona.
Secretary Treasurer of Lummi Development Holding Company
“I’m the secretary treasurer because, like I mentioned, I love numbers,” Lawrence says. “When I was working at the Lummi Indian Business Council, I was also able to study and get my Master of Business Administration. We’re seeking business opportunities that’s not only on the reservation, but off the reservation; we’re looking at building up our capabilities for government contracting.” As Secretary/Treasurer of the board for the Lummi Development Holding Company, Lawrence is directly responsible for maintaining all company records, financial and non-financial, including its overall financial position.
Outside of work
Lawrence enjoys the simple, peaceful aspects of life in the Pacific Northwest when he isn’t working. “I got back on the canoe this year with the Merisa Mae Canoe Club, and that’s been healing,” he says. “It’s a way of life that we have out here on the reservation. I like to go fishing with my dad and my uncle. With my wife and son, we like to go hiking and catch the sunrise or chase sunsets. At Artist Point, we caught the meteor shower in 2023. We like to explore the outdoors.”
Last year on their wedding anniversary, Lawrence and his wife hiked up a trail on Mt. Rainer and took in a gorgeous sunrise, came down and had lunch, then trekked back up a different peak to watch the sunset together.
Top 7 Under 40
Proud to be named a Top 7 Under 40 nominee, Lawrence remains focused on giving back. “This process probably started when I was working at the tribe full time; I was the interim general manager and the director for the Office of Economic Policy,” he says. “I feel like that’s just a way of giving back and making sure that our future generation has a better future than we have.”
An event held at the Hotel Bellwether on Thursday, October 3rd from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. will celebrate all seven honorees and award the Young Professional of the Year. Click here for more details and to purchase tickets. Registration closes September 27, 2024.
