This APEX Accelerator is funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the Department of Defense.
National Center APEX Accelerator
ACCELERATING AMERICAN INDIAN ENTREPRENEURSHIP
APEX Accelerators work with federal, state, and local partners to provide opportunities for Native American-owned companies new to government contracting to acquire the skills and know-how to compete.
OUR SERVICES
APEX Accelerators offer no-cost guidance and support services to help your business succeed in the government marketplace.
Serving Native American Indian owned businesses from 61 Tribes in 33 States within the Eastern, Southwest, & Navajo BIA Regions. The National Center APEX Accelerator program, under management of the Department of Defense (DoD) Office of Small Business Programs (OSBP), plays a critical role in the Department’s efforts to identify and help a wide range of businesses enter and participate in the defense supply-chain. The program provides the education and training to ensure that all Native American owned businesses become capable of participating in federal, state, and local government contracts.
JoAn Begay Notah: September 6, 1967 – May 8, 2026, in loving memory.
It is with a heavy heart and profound sadness that we announce the passing of our good friend and colleague, JoAn Notah, age 58, on May 8, 2026.
JoAn will be remembered for her exemplary service and steady leadership in advancing the mission of the APEX Accelerator and the National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development. Her work strengthened relationships with partners, expanded access to federal contracting opportunities, and helped deliver meaningful outcomes for the Native and small business communities the organization serves. Her love of the Navajo people and all of Indian Country, along with her professionalism, dedication, and commitment to service leave an enduring legacy, and she will be deeply missed by colleagues, clients, and all who had the privilege to work with her.
JoAn Begay Notah served as Project Director for the National Center APEX Accelerator, funded by a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Department of Defense Office of Small Business Programs. Previously, Ms. Notah was the Project Director for the Arizona Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) Export Center funded by the U.S. Department of Commerce and the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) and operated by the National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development (NCAIED) in Mesa, Arizona.
Previously, she served as the Senior Procurement Specialist for the Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC), now known as the APEX Accelerator, and dedicated more than 15 years of service to the program. She also served as the Interim Program Manager for the PTAC program. Prior to PTAC, she was the Project Director for the AZ Native American Business Enterprise Center funded by the U.S. Department of Commerce and the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA). She had over 26 years of experience in business development, grant management, and federal procurement. Her NABEC program was recognized as MBDA’s highest performing program, with the highest number of awarded contracts and jobs.
JoAn is an enrolled member of the Diné (Navajo) Nation from the community of Kin-Dah-Lichi’i, near Ganado, Arizona. She graduated magna cum laude from Arizona State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Management and graduated with highest distinction with an Executive Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, Arizona. JoAn is survived by her husband, Emerson, and their three children, Loretta, Christopher, and Charles, who reside in the metro Phoenix area.
A private funeral service was held on May 16, 2026 in Saint Michaels, Arizona. A celebration of life will be announced at a later date.
