11/08/2022
Congratulations to Owner, J.C. Seneca!
Community and Business Leader J.C. Seneca Earns Dual Designations of Seneca Nation Councilor and “Power Business Leader of Color”
Irving, NY November 8, 2022---Over the last week, Western New York community and business leader, J.C. Seneca, celebrated his election as a Seneca Nation Cattaraugus Councilor, and his selection by Buffalo Business Firston its inaugural list of “Power 100 Business Leaders of Color.” Today, as he took the oath of office for Councilor at the Seneca Nation Canvass Day before a gathering of the Seneca Nation at the Seneca Allegany Casino Event Center, he noted the combined achievements reflect his long running commitment to the Seneca People and the WNY community.
“I’m honored Seneca Nation voters put their faith in my leadership by electing me to serve on our government council, and Buffalo Business First has selected me #24 on its first “Power 100 Business Leaders of Color” list,” Seneca stated. “Both are significant as they denote core components of my life. I have been involved in Seneca Nation Government since my youth, witnessing the work of my father, William, who served as Council President and Treasurer, and learning from the elders who governed with him. And I was taught valuable business and life lessons by my grandfather, whose farm I worked on as a teenager. Those combined experiences helped me to develop a commitment to public service, a strong work ethic, and an entrepreneurial business sense, all of which have helped make a difference for me as a private citizen, a businessperson, and a government official.”
Seneca’s victory in the November 1st Seneca Nation Government Election marks his fifth term of service (1990/2006/2008/2022-Councilor, 1998-Treasurer.) His 2022 campaign platform focused on the Casino Compact with New York State, the rising drug addiction/alcoholism on Cattaraugus and Allegany territories, and the financial stability of the Seneca Nation. He appealed to voters with his pledge to govern with full consideration of all person’s issues and concerns and to honor the Seneca Nation’s Legacy today and for future generations.
The Buffalo Business First “Power 100 Business Leaders of Color” list is focused on WNY business and nonprofit leaders. The determining factors for those chosen included the size of their workforce, their business/organizations’ revenues, and length of time in their executive positions. Community impact and influence were also considered. Seneca’s founding of his Native Pride gas and diesel operation in 1987, and ensuing development into a business empire (Native Pride Travel Plaza on the Tallchief Territory, Six Nations Manufacturing, Tallchief Native Pride Fuel, and Tallchief H**p,) coupled with his philanthropic work through his JC Seneca Foundation, placed him in the top quarter of the “Power 100 Business Leaders of Color” list.
The business/community leader foresees the dual honors as providing opportunities for the future.
“I have always worked to create better lives for my family, the people of the Seneca Nation, and the WNY Community,” Seneca stated. “I look forward to ways that my council election and the “Power Business Leaders of Color” recognition will help me to continue and expand those efforts in meaningful directions.”