Cherokee Nation Business CEO Placed On Leave

The Cherokee Nation Businesses board of directors announced Friday afternoon that David Stewart, Chief Executive Officer of Cherokee Nation Businesses, has been placed on leave for the next six weeks, effective immediately.

In a news release, Cherokee Nation Businesses says "this leave is mutually agreeable to Mr. Stewart and the board."

The release goes on to say "in the interim, Executive Vice President Shawn Slaton will assume the duties of CEO. Slaton has been with the company for more than a decade, overseeing CNB's major expansions in both the gaming and non-gaming sectors, and has often been placed at the helm when Mr. Stewart's business and personal travel have taken him out of state."

"The company is in very capable hands with Shawn," said Sam Hart, chairman of the CNB board of directors. "CNB has established the Cherokee Nation as a strong economic engine in the region, and we look forward to continuing that legacy."

The CNB's board held a special meeting Friday morning and voted unanimously to place Stewart on leave.

Stewart became CEO of Cherokee Nation Enterprises, now Cherokee Nation Entertainment, in 2002.  He assumed the job of CEO of Cherokee Nation Businesses in 2008.

The CNB's board will hold its next regularly scheduled meeting Monday, March 5, 2012 at 9 a.m. in Catoosa.