Poarch Creek

The Poarch Band of Creek Indians held a ribbon cutting April 19, 2017, for its new subsidiary PCI Aviation in Huntsville. (Lucy Berry | lberry@al.com)

The only federally recognized Indian Tribe in Alabama unveiled an office this morning for its new aviation company in Huntsville.

The Poarch Band of Creek Indians held a ribbon cutting ceremony on 7067 Old Madison Pike for PCI Aviation, a subsidiary that will focus on cable and wiring harness fabrication before moving to system integration, kitting, hangar operations, ground support equipment and logistics support services for the U.S. military.

Former Muskogee Technology President Mal McGhee is heading up PCI Aviation, which was founded last summer.

"We're already meeting with other tribal nations, other businesses to do joint ventures and partnerships as we go forward," McGhee said. "I've got a lot of relationships already in the Huntsville area and we want to expand on that."

With the launch of the new office, the Small Business Administration certified 8(a) minority-owned company will eventually perform maintenance upgrades and modifications on all types of military aircraft as they age and require technology improvements.

McGhee said they're seeking aircraft mechanics, cable makers and other employees to make PCI a successful leader in the aviation industry. He hopes the company will employ at least 100 workers by 2018.

The open house was the second big event this week for the Poarch Creek Indians, which held a grand opening for TownePlace Suites by Marriott on Tuesday in Huntsville. Creek Indian Enterprises Development Authority, the economic development arm of the Poarch Creek Indians, partnered with Yedla Management Company on the project at Redstone Gateway.

The Poarch Creek Indians donated $1 million in January 2016 to relieve traffic problems at Gate 9 in Huntsville. Sen. Arthur Orr, R-Decatur, brought the issue to the Tribe's attention because the gate was a safety threat to thousands of drivers each day.

"PCI Aviation will leverage that tribal impact in the backing to grow this business," McGhee said.

The Poarch Creek Indians live in a reservation eight miles northwest of Atmore in rural Escambia County under their own system of government and bylaws. The tribe manages three Alabama gaming facilities, including the Wind Creek Casino & Hotel in Atmore, Creek Casino in Wetumpka, and Creek Casino in Montgomery.

Poarch Tribal Chairwoman Stephanie Bryan said they use their revenues to diversify the economy to provide education, healthcare, elder care and other services to constituents of the Poarch Creek Indians.

"We continually strive for investments where we can get a return on that investment but we can also be good neighbors by job creation and by creating stronger, safer communities," she said.

Darrell Harrison and Don Bullock, who have more than 70 years of combined experience in the defense and aviation marketplace, are joining McGhee at PCI Aviation. The Army Association of America (AAAA) is also partnering with PCI.

EJ Sinclair, president of AAAA and CEO of Science and Engineering Services in Huntsville, said they have previously worked with Muskogee Technology, a manufacturing subsidiary of the Poarch Creek Indians.

"There's no doubt in my mind in the future they will continue to provide the best quality, safe products for our soldiers as they go on the battlefield," he said.