Vice Chairman: Mary “Liz” Ricketts
Ms. Ricketts currently serves as the Executive Director of the Housing Authority of the Osage Tribe and has held this position for 22 years. Her primary responsibilities and successes over her tenure have included the construction of 180 single-family homes, 16 senior housing units along with a community facility for Osage senior activities and the Title VI nutrition program.
In 1998, she used her expertise for construction of a warehouse, a project utilized by an Osage construction company for training in various construction related jobs. Additionally, Ricketts has been responsible for property management of 650 leases with options to purchase single-family homes and provided rehabilitation for 400 of these homes. To date, 529 deeds have been issued.
Ms. Ricketts leadership lead to obtaining a Community Development Financial Institution grant from the U.S. Treasury in 2003 which established the Osage Financial Resources, Inc., a program designed to provide revolving loans for home improvement. Additionally, in 2004, with low income tax credits, Ms. Ricketts oversaw the construction of a 30 townhouses apartment complex with a clubhouse and offices.
Ms. Ricketts is an enrolled member of the Osage Nation. Among her other activities she holds the highest position a woman can hold culturally as she serves as head cook for the Pawhuska I-Ion-schka committee. Ms. Ricketts has served on various local, regional and national housing boards.
