Office of Chiefs hires new staff member with unique focus
James Weigant, from the Fronkier family, has a Masters in Public Administration
By ON Communications
PAWHUSKA, Okla. (January 19, 2016)—Professional, young and research driven, are just a few words that describe James Weigant, Osage, who was recently hired by the Osage Nation Office of the Chiefs as their new Executive Administrative Assistant. Weigant brings a strong education and professional background and an interest that requires an attention for details.
“The Osage Nation is fortunate another of our younger generation has chosen to join our effort. James is a multi-talented individual of good character and his contributions are already making a positive impact for the benefit of our Osage Nation,” said Osage Nation Principal Chief Geoffrey Standing Bear.
Experience
“James previously worked for the City of Tulsa Council as an Administrative Aide for the councilmembers for almost two years. He also worked in the same capacity for the Oklahoma Municipal League for two years. James has a Bachelor’s Degree in Business with an emphasis on Public Administration. He also has a Master’s Degree in Public Administration,” said Chief of Staff Jason Zaun about Weigant’s qualifications and experience. According to Zaun, Weigant will be assisting with administrative duties and the annual budgeting process.
Following his position at the City of Tulsa, Weigant started working for Young Oil Tools, an oilfield equipment manufacturer founded in Fairfax, Okla. Weigant played a key role in relocating the company to Cushing, Okla., transitioning a large acquisition out of Wichita Falls, Texas, and training employees at the new site. He worked there for eight years until the company was sold.
Passion
“I actually had a home business,” he said. “People collect pieces of mail for the postmark. I would buy big lots at auctions then split them up, research them, and then sell them on eBay.”
Because of Weigant’s level of experience and the name he has made for himself in the postmark collecting community, he started writing for The American Stamp Dealer and Collector. To date, he has had nine articles published.
Culture
Connecting to history is important to Weigant and he reclaims his Osage heritage by researching postmarks. Weigant’s collection includes postmarks from the post offices of Osage County from 1876 to now.
“My Osage grandfather used to work in this building. That means a lot to my mother and I. I’ve already started watching the postmarks coming through the door and I hope to work on some commemorative envelopes for the Office of the Chiefs,” he said.
Europe
A few weeks before Weigant started at the Office of the Chiefs he was selected to attend a European tour of stamp collections. He was awarded the opportunity through a scholarship and traveled to Monte Carlo, Monaco for one of the world’s most exclusive stamp events, MonacoPhil.
After returning from Europe to Oklahoma and preparing for a job working for his Osage people, Weigant said everything still felt surreal and he was thankful that aspects of his passion, his heritage and his education were finally coming together.
Weigant makes his home in Bartlesville with his wife, Katie, a nurse in Nowata and their two sons, Julian, 8, and Michael, 11.
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