Margo Gray-Proctor President, The Horizon Companies, Tulsa, OK

Margo is an American success story. Often referred to as the “Indian Oprah” by people who know her in Indian Country, she is a proud Osage business woman who has built a reputation in Indian Country as one of the best entrepreneurs to emerge in the last several years, building a profitable and award-winning business in a traditionally male industry. As President of Horizon Engineering Service Company, Margo offers civil engineering consulting and design for gaming developments, hotels, hospitals, airports, transportation planning and infrastructure, as well as project management for projects all over the country. She began two other businesses under the umbrella of The Horizon Companies; a drug, alcohol, and background screening company and a high-end stained glass company, to further meet the needs of tribal communities and the gaming industry.

Among the many business honors she has received, Margo is the 2006 recipient of the “Local Hero Award” presented by the Tulsa Metro Chamber and the 2005 recipient of the National Center of American Indian Enterprise Development’s “Indian Business Owner of the Year” award. Her flagship company, Horizon Engineering Services Company, was the 2007 recipient of the “State Business of the Year” awarded by the American Indian Chamber of Commerce of Oklahoma.

While entrepreneurism runs strong in her family heritage, her own background includes many years in tribal law enforcement and tribal government service. Margo is active in her Osage culture. She holds the position of Head Cook in her Native American church, a high honor for a woman in her culture. A strong competitor in Corporate America, Margo offers encouragement for Indian entrepreneurs to pursue their dreams and counsel for tribal leaders to create the government and legal environments that will enable Indian businesses to thrive.

Last Updated on Thursday, 11 March 2010 00:34