Our Board of Directors
Robert "R.D." Curtis Jr.
Chairman
Robert Curtis Jr. has proudly served on the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community (KBIC) Tribal Council since January 2012 and is currently serving his fifth term. In 2023, he served as the Assistant Secretary of the Tribal Council. On January 4, 2025, he was honored to be sworn in as the Tribal President of KBIC. He currently serves as the Chairman for LSCDC and has been on the BOD since January 2010. A dedicated public servant and advocate for community wellness, Robert spent 22 years working for the KBIC Substance Abuse Programs – Outpatient Department prior to his presidency. As a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor, he has helped countless individuals and families in their journey toward healing and sobriety. Robert is also a person in long-term recovery, having celebrated 34 years of sobriety on May 26, 2025. His personal experience has strengthened his commitment to building a healthier, more resilient Tribal Nation. Grounded in Ojibwe values and traditions, Robert actively exercises his Treaty Rights through fishing, hunting, and gathering, and is a strong advocate for the protection of these rights for future generations.
Kevin Perrault
Vice-Chairman
Kevin currently serves as Vice-Chairman of the LSCDC Board. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Bemidji State University and brings extensive leadership experience from his career in business and community service. Prior to retirement, he worked as a casino general manager and managed Ojibwa Building Supply for several years. Kevin has also served as President of the KBIC Seniors, demonstrating his ongoing commitment to supporting local elders and community initiatives.
Sarah Smith
Treasurer
Sarah Smith serves as the Treasurer of LSCDC and is the founder and owner of 8th Fire Consulting, LLC. She is an enrolled member of the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community (KBIC) and offers over 25 years of professional experience. Sarah earned her Master of Arts in Tribal Administration & Governance from the University of Minnesota Duluth and holds a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics with a minor in Physics from Michigan Technological University, with a current MI Standard Teaching Certificate for grades 6-12. She taught mathematics for 8 years prior to working in Tribal government. With over 18 years of leading a large Tribal government organization, Sarah is an experienced Tribal Administrator that has held the titles of CEO, Assistant CEO, Grant Specialist, and Daycare Director. She has designed and established progressive budgetary processes, ensured departmental accountability and federal compliance, and consistently managed budgets. She oversaw the submission and administration of grants and contracts to keep a steady flow of federal, state, local, and private funding for the operation of the Tribal government organization. She has managed projects related to building renovations, new construction, infrastructure, trail development, and renewable energy. Additionally, Sarah has served on the KBIC Youth, Education, and Economic Development committees; Women's Advisory Board; Committee for Alternative & Renewable Energy. She served as KBIC representative on the Midwest Tribal Energy Resource Association (MTERA's) board as Secretary. Sarah was a member of the Regional Advisory Committee for the Minneapolis Foundation's Great Lakes Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Grantmaking Program. Currently, she is part of MTU's Sloan Foundation grant community advisory board for their project: "Electrification and climate resilience in the rural north: challenges and opportunities." I also served on Baraga Area Schools Board of Education as Treasurer and President.
Gretchen Emery
Member
Gretchen Emery has served on the Board since 2017 and is an enrolled member of the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community. Her professional experience includes serving as a Tribal Court Judge for KBIC, working for 17 years in the commodity foods program, and contributing to numerous KBIC committees, including the enrollment, constitutional, and senior boards.
Lily Marcott
Member
Lily Marcott has served on the board since 2020. She brings a well-rounded background in administration and management, including her current role as a general ledger accountant at the Ojibwa Housing Authority, where she handles financial records, vendor payments, and budget tracking. Her previous experience includes working as an administrative assistant at Ojibwa Building Supply, and she also manages Joey’s Seafood & Grill in Houghton, overseeing daily operations and staff coordination. Her blend of financial expertise and leadership in both public and private sectors makes her a valuable contributor to the board.
Keith Rolof
Member
Keith is an enrolled member of the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community from L’Anse, Michigan. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with an accounting concentration and a minor in psychology from Michigan Technological University (2009) and a Master’s in Tribal Administration & Governance from the University of Minnesota-Duluth (2014). Keith began his professional journey serving his tribe in the accounting and natural resources departments before joining the Great Lakes Indian Fish & Wildlife Commission (GLIFWC) as a budget analyst in 2012. He later served as Deputy Administrator for over five years at GLIFWC, an agency representing eleven Ojibwe tribes across Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. Since 2017, Keith has been a dedicated member of the Board of Regents for Keweenaw Bay Ojibwa Community College, currently serving as Chairman. He also serves on the Board of Directors for the Lake Superior Community Development Corporation, a Native Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI). Keith currently brings his 15 years of tribal finance and administration experience to his role as CFO for the Lake Superior Community Development Corporation.
