Roger Fragua (Jemez Pueblo, New Mexico) has dedicated his professional career to the advancement and development of American Indian communities. Roger is currently the President of Cota Holdings, LLC, whose mission is to support Tribal community and economic development in the energy and telecommunication sectors. Cota is currently engaged with several Tribal development projects as well as supporting energy companies’ efforts within Indian Country.
Roger served the Tribes as the Deputy Director of the Council of Energy Resource Tribes (CERT), based in Denver, Colorado. Under the direction of the elected leadership of the 47 federally recognized Tribes and four Canadian First Nations, CERT has dramatically restructured the federal-Indian relationship with respect to minerals, mining, taxation, and Tribal jurisdiction over environmental regulations on Indian lands.
Prior to joining CERT, Roger worked as a manager for Enron Corporation in Houston, Texas where he was instrumental in creating business concepts and promoting partnerships between Tribes and Enron. Enron, the most innovative Fortune 500 Corporation in the U.S. over the last several years, developed a genuine interest in seeking partnerships with Tribes in many areas of energy development, not limited to but including; gas, electricity, wind and water.
Roger has also worked with the Western Governors’ Association and the National Tribal Environmental Council on State and Tribal relations as it relates to environmental issues. The basis for Roger’s commitment to Indian Country is steeped in his long tenured background as the Tribal Administrator for his own Pueblo. Roger served as the Tribal political and business resource of the Pueblo of Jemez for several years.
Roger is married to Clarice of San Felipe Pueblo, New Mexico and has three sons and one daughter.
Title: Indian Country and Access to Energy & Water – Indian Country is legally defined as the 577 Federally recognized American Indian Tribes that are located across 33 States in the U.S. with 2.5M American Indians growing at 4% per year or doubling every 20 years. The Tribes act as both sovereign governments and business units that are concerned about the health, wellness and wellbeing of its Tribal members. Having access to reliable, affordable and accessible resources are paramount for Tribal Leadership.