Bio-----Carroll Griffin Cocchia
7457 Harwin Drive, Ste. 307, Houston, TX 77036. Tel. 832-251-6367---fax. 832-251-6312—cell: 713-614-1272---email: cocchia1@sbcglobal.net.
Born in Newburgh, NY, at the end of the Stone Age.
Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting---Marist University
Blackfoot/Polish
Hobbies---painting, poetry, reading.
Motto----HOPE---Help Our People Excel
Family: 4 sons, 1 daughter. Two sons are police officers in Houston---one a sergeant in Internal Affairs for HPD, and one a Deputy Sheriff for Harris County. One son is an Accountant in Orlando, Florida, and the youngest son is a music major at Ardmore. Her only daughter is an Administrative Assistant for Trendmaker Homes.

Founded the Native American Chamber of Commerce in June, 2000, so that American Indian entrepreneurs would have proper representation---became weary of people viewing Indian People as ‘extinct’, ignorant, worthless, drunks, and savages. Chamber has grown from 7 small Indian-owned businesses, to the present membership of 531, in over 31 states, and growing, daily. There are presently 58 Fortune 500 Corporations participating in the chamber, thru the very distinguished Corporate Advisory Council, which meets, quarterly, at Marathon Oil Tower, in Houston. Small, medium, and large companies, located nationwide, in 31 states, have joined the chamber, to take advantage of the excellent programs, and very effective networking/business opportunities, which abound. Carroll founded the Native American Achievement Center in Houston—the only one of its kind in the Southwest---offering many levels and types of education and job/networking skills to all those who apply---all are invited to participate, in the spirit of Native American hospitality, with programs being created, in partnership with Rice University. The Chamber implemented unique programs, focused on Native American needs---such as Hope and Harmony Role Model Luncheons, Talking Stick Supplier Diversity Luncheons, Walking Between Worlds American Indian Scholarship/Corporate Awards Dinners, and the Annual Legend of the White Buffalo Native American Golf Tournament (the only Native American golf tournament regularly held in the Southwest). The newest---most far-reaching project on the chamber’s agenda begins in 2006---and is titled Hope and Harmony for Humanity, which will work in conjunction with Willie Nelson, Cathy Lee Crosby, Kevin Costner, B.J. Thomas, Ray Romano, James Garner, and Kris Kristoferson, as well as with major political figures, such as Michael Williams, Texas Railroad Commissioner, Senator John McCain’s office, Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell, Senator John Cornyn’s office, Governor Rick Perry’s office, and many other well known celebrities and political icons. In addition, major corporations such as IBM, HP, Dell, Citgo, Continental Airlines, HEB Grocery Company, The Coca-Cola Company, Lockheed Martin, Wal-Mart Stores, Coors, Texas Roadhouse Restaurants, are working with the chamber to bring decent housing, job skills, and many economic resources to remote reservations---and to those nearby in Texas---in Livingston, Eagle Pass, and El Paso. Carroll also founded the Strategic Alliance of Minority Chambers, in 2002, which encourages all ethnic groups to work together for the economic benefit of the community, as a whole.

Carroll fought for American Indian equality at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, where, thru modern day prejudice, Indian People were not allowed to participate in cultural programs, there. Carroll, working in partnership with the United States Department of Justice, ensured that Indian People had their first Native American Day in February, 2000, complete with parade. On his recent visit to Houston, she was invited by Rev. Jesse Jackson, to work for Indian People, in his Rainbow Push Coalition Crusade.

Recently appointed to the National Steering Committee, Working Families for Wal-Mart, Carroll is looking forward to working with national diversity leaders to help our communities to view Wal-Mart as the gentle giant that it is---and how it greatly assists the American People to work for decent wages, be eligible for life changing promotions and benefits, as well as educational opportunities for many people who would not be able to pursue higher education, without this assistance.
Carroll was also invited by Mayor Bill White of Houston, to sit on a Commission, whose mission it is to rebuild and rejuvenate specific areas of the City of Houston, to upgrade the lifestyles and opportunities for the people living in those communities.

“My favorite type of activity is to be involved in projects that have direct, positive impact on American People, and American communities.

Carroll sits on the Boards of Texas A & M School of Architecture, and the Port of Houston Authority----as well as serving as an Economic Advisor for Indian Nations, such as the Blackfoot Nation and the Chippewa Nation at Turtle Mountain.