Years in technology
IT operations and leadership across Tribal government and public-sector environments.
Technology leadership · Community service
JR Walters
Building technology programs that support the people and services of the Samish Indian Nation. I bring a practical, service-first approach to digital transformation, cybersecurity, and strengthening tribal technology leadership.
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Career highlights
Experience built around service.
A career spanning hands-on technology, executive leadership, cybersecurity, and public service.
Years with the Samish Indian Nation
Progressed from Network Technician through IT Manager and IT Director to executive leadership.
Leadership & impact
Advises executive leadership and Tribal Council on technology strategy, cybersecurity risk, policy, and modernization. Built the Nation’s technology department and leads enterprise IT strategy, governance, budget, and grant-funded initiatives.
Established cybersecurity and information-protection practices, including HIPAA Security Rule safeguards and incident response. Led workflow, records-management, and collaboration modernization, as well as high-availability infrastructure and disaster-recovery planning.
Selected certifications
CompTIA Server+CompTIA Network+Laserfiche Certified ProfessionalHPE Nimble Storage AdministrationIsonas Pure Access Certified
About
Technology leadership, grounded in service.
I’m JR Walters, and I serve as the Information Technology Executive Director at the Samish Indian Nation, where I have spent more than 13 years growing into executive IT leadership. My work focuses on practical technology leadership, digital transformation, operational effectiveness, and cybersecurity.
I built the Nation’s technology department and helped establish governance, risk management, and incident readiness for government and health service environments. I also support security, privacy, and compliance work, including review of technology, health system, and cloud service contracts.
I share experience and support peer development through service with the FCC Native Nations Communications Taskforce, MS-ISAC Leadership Mentoring Program, and TribalHub. I’m committed to strengthening tribal technology programs through collaboration and practical lessons learned.
Current service
Leadership beyond the role.
Contributing time and perspective to communications and peer leadership programs.
FCC Native Nations Communications Taskforce
Serving a three-year term on the taskforce.
MS-ISAC Leadership Mentoring Program
Co-Chair of the Leadership Mentoring Program.
TribalHub Government and Member Services
Serving as a board member.
TribalHub PNW Regional Ambassador
Serving as Vice-Chair for the Pacific Northwest region.
Regional engagement
MS-ISAC Regional Meeting · Washington State
Hosting the MS-ISAC Regional Meeting in Washington State and speaking at the event.
Writing & media
Ideas and conversations.
Articles, interviews, and appearances will be added here as they are published.
Writing for TribalHub
Article listings can include a title, publication date, short introduction, and a link to the original TribalHub publication, with source credits where appropriate.
TribalHub Podcast
The episode link and listening platform can be added here once the conversation is published.