Absentee Shawnee tribal agency, Dallas firm form new fleet company

ASEDA Fleet Inc., a new venture of the Absentee Shawnee Economic Development Authority and Park Lease of Dallas, is being introduced this week at the Reservation Economic Summit in Las Vegas, where more than 2,300 registrants have gathered for the 25th annual American Indian economic and business development conference.

The new service will help provide the best fleet deals possible for tribes, said Jet Parker, an Oklahoma City business consultant who helped create the alliance.

The new startup, Parker said, will offer tribes and American Indian-owned enterprises special pricing and educate them on whether it's best to lease or buy. There are 562 recognized tribal nations across the U.S., and each has fleets of 10 to 50 vehicles or more, she said.

By contracting with ASEDA, large corporations can meet their diversity requirements to do business with minority-owned firms, Parker said. The new startup also will pursue contracts with government entities including the Indian Health Service and Department of Defense, she said.

While the Shawnee Tribe will market and sell the new startup, Park Lease will service the fulfillment and supplier side, managing director David Thomas said.

“We can help in any of three ways — buying, leasing or financing,” Thomas said.

ASEDA Fleet is a 100 percent American Indian-owned firm located in an underutilized business zone in Shawnee founded by the tribe's economic development authority. Dan Little Axe has been named president.