Cherokee Data Solutions

Mission statement

We Can, We Will, Watch Us
Discover and respond to our customers’ needs for technology and office products and services with consistent and timely performance that our customers can depend on.

Vision statement
Creation of quality technology jobs that promote Economic Self-sufficiency in Indian Country, serving our customers, and doing our part to protect the environment.

Who we are
Cherokee Data Solutions is an Oklahoma based customer-focused enterprise primarily engaged in providing sales and support for technology and business products.  Our services includes full life-cycle management by offering environmentally responsible recycling services of technology products.  We are a Business-to-Business enterprise committed to meeting the demands and expectations of our customers.  We strive to understand our customers’ needs and anticipate opportunity to be responsive in fulfilling those needs with integrity, commitment and quality.  Failure is not an option.  We will do what it takes to be competitive, respected, and profitable.

Company history
Founded in October of 2001 as a sole-proprietorship, Cherokee Data Solutions is fulfillment to a dream of Pamela Huddleston Bickford.  The business plan was formed with an eye to the economic and social needs of northeastern Oklahoma and Native American tribes.  As a small Woman Owned/Disadvantaged Minority business, the business plan highlights commitment to promote employment of minorities.  Pamela retains 100% ownership of the business.  The logo of the company is taken from Chief Oconostota, Pamela is his ninth generation grand-daughter.  

The family has a rich Cherokee and Creek heritage and direct lines to both the Ross and Lowery families.  Templin Ross served as commissary for the Trail of Tears removal, he would bury his wife and five children along the forgotten path, in unmarked graves.  Templin died within a month of arriving in the new country leaving the eldest son Andrew Ross to care for the remaining children in this unknown place.  He was 18 years old.  Andrew opened a store in Webbers Falls along the soldier trail with his son, Jesse T Ross.  All of these being grandfathers of Pamela’s it is no wonder that her father Ross Huddleston was a natural entrepreneur and developed that instinct into Pamela.  Her father, Ross attended Ballou Indian School and built several companies in the Tulsa area.  Ross currently sits on her advisory council as an elder and close advisor.  Her mother, also an entrepreneur (one of the few women in construction in the early 60's) was her closest mentor in building the company and instilling true integrity and the value of keeping your word, in life and in business.  Former Chief Wilma Mankiller was instrumental in helping Pamela to develop leadership skills and often gave her sage advise, mainly on dealing with men in the business world, and to never giving up.

CDS has experienced consistent controlled growth since its founding.  2009 sales were 180% of 2008 sales and 5-year growth is 845%.  The company maintains a base of nearly 300 customers within our target market of Federal, Tribal, State and Local government, Health, Education, and mid-to-large size corporations.  CDS has zero long term debt and zero uncollected debt since founding.

Business Community Reputation

Our reputation in the community is proven by the recognition received though awards granted by our customers, agencies, and industry ranking.  Cherokee Data Solutions actively supports promotion of minority and small business development within our market.  Under Pamela’s leadership the company has received over 25 National, Regional and State Awards over the last 6 years.  We enjoy our local community, our tribal community and our state community.  We are active in several organizations that promote cultural competence/awareness, protect the environment and encourage growth and economic stability in Indian Country and in Oklahoma.  Locating in Oklahoma is intentional.  We celebrate a rich heritage here, enjoy low cost of living and Oklahoma is one of the top 5 best places to do business!  Getting to locate within our tribal lands is our biggest blessing.

Annually we support trade shows and events that share our vision such as the American Indian Chamber of Commerce, Indian Country Business Summit; the Cherokee Nation TERO trade fair and outreach events; the Oklahoma Minority Supplier Development Council trade fair and outreach events as well as national trade shows and organizations like REI and Tribal Government Institute.

The president of CDS serves as President of the American Indian Chamber of Commerce, is an active member and board director for local Rotary Club and serves two appointments to the EPA Standards boards as an IEEE and IEEE/SA member.

Pamela serves through her participation on the Rogers State University Presidents Club, The Oklahoma Academy, The Rogers County Cherokee Cultural Association (founding member), and the Cherokee Nation Economic Development Trust Authority as Treasurer.  

All employees are encouraged and supported to participate in community, state and national organizations that help them to develop their skills, both business and personal.  It is the culture of CDS to build in order to give back.  When you work with a Cherokee Data representative, you will always find them intelligent, polite and honest. 

Logo History

The logo or company seal is taken from our family's ancestral grandfather's war shield. Chief Ocanostota served the Cherokee Tribe as War Chief in the 1700's. He fought for sovereignty of the Nation and for the original lands of the Cherokee People. That sovereignty continues today. The variation of the shield entails two simple vertical marks that create the C and the D within the S. The outer rings represent the history of our family: Red, the original 'Real People'; Blue, the suffering and losses of our ancestors' land, rights and freedoms; Black, the death of our grandparents, aunts and uncles on the Trail of Tears; White, the spiritual awakening and renewal in Christ; Red inner ring represents the return to our heritage. The seven outer marks represent the seven clans of the Cherokee; the seven-sided council house; the seven types of wood for the sacred fire and the seven directions: North, East, South, West, Up, Down,

... and Where I stand Now.

Portrait of Cherokee Chief Oconostota by Francis Parsons 1762

Original War Shield of Chief Oconostota from which CDS logo was inspired