EXCOM Member

A.C. Locklear, a citizen of the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina, serves as the Chief Executive Officer for the National Indian Health Board (NIHB). Founded in 1972, NIHB advocates as the unified voice for all American Indian and Alaska Native Tribes to reinforce Tribal sovereignty, strengthen Tribal health systems, secure resources, and build capacity to achieve the highest level of health and well-being for American Indian and Alaska Native People. As the CEO, A.C. is committed to leading with integrity, fostering sustainability across NIHB and Public health in Indian Country, and enhancing cooperation among the Tribes and Native organizations to create lasting, positive impacts for our people. Prior to his role as CEO, A.C. previously served as the Federal Relations Director at NIHB, leading NIHB’s federal budget and regulatory policy priorities, including developing and advancing Tribal health and public health policy priorities to the White House and federal government agencies, lead budget formation, analysis, and advocacy work, and bolstered Tribal leader participation in consultation and Tribal advisory committees. He also facilitated collaboration between the federal government and Tribes to increase access to quality health programs and advance federal policies to improve the health and well-being of American Indians and Alaska Natives. Prior to NIHB, A.C. also served as a Program Manager for the Center for Native American Youth at the Aspen Institute and the Director of Student Engagement for the University Office for Diversity and Inclusion at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. A.C. is a two-time graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in American Studies, with a concentration in American Indian and Indigenous Studies, in 2013, and his Juris Doctorate in 2016. The driving force behind A.C.’s educational and professional experiences is the desire to continue the path of his ancestors and those who came before him by working to counteract barriers and improve Tribal communities and the quality of life for American Indian and Alaska Native peoples. A.C. is originally from Pembroke, North Carolina, and is a citizen of the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina.