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Richard G. Sneed is the 28th Principal Chief of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. Richard Sneed began his services as an elected Tribal leader for the Tribe after winning election as Principal Vice-Chief in September 2015 and assumed office in October 2015. Sneed began his service as Principal Chief on, Thursday, May 25, 2017 after the 27th Principal Chief, Patrick Lambert, was impeached and removed by the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians Tribal Council, per the Tribal Code and Ordianance. On Monday, September 18, 2017, long-time Yellowhill Tribal Council member, Alan B. Ensley, assumed the service as the new Principal Vice-Chief, which was left vacant after Sneed became Principal Chief.

Richard Sneed is a graduate of Cherokee High School in Cherokee, North Carolina. His family is from the Wolfetown Community of the Qualla Boundary. Principal Chief Sneed is a veteran of the United States Marine Corps. Sneed is a graduate of Universal Technical College- Phoenix, Az, and Southwestern Community College – Sylva, NC. Sneed holds a North Carolina Teaching License in Industrial Arts. Sneed taught Vocational classes at Cherokee High School where he was recognized as National Classroom Teacher of the Year by the National Indian Education Association. Sneed has also served as the Senior Pastor of the Christ Fellowship Church of Cherokee. Sneed and his wife, Trina reside in the Birdtown Community of the Qualla Bounday where they raised their five children. In addition to his introduction, Sneed introduced changes to the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians Tribal government administration.