Derrick Watchman of Navajo Nation elected as chair of NCAIED

Tuesday, March 12, 2013  

Derrick Watchman, a member of the Navajo Nation, has been elected chair of the National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development.

Watchman, who has served on the NCAIED board, was chosen to lead the organization at the start of Res 2013. The conference kicked off on Monday in Las Vegas, Nevada, and runs through Thursday.

“The NCAIED has been through a lot of change,” Watchman said today. “As a member of the board, and now as Chairman, I will strive to continue improving the economy of Indian Country. It is my honor to bring my 30 years of experience to my colleagues on the board of directors, where, collectively, we will continue to improve RES and all of our conferences.”

Watchman currently serves as chief executive officer for the Navajo Nation Gaming Enterprise, the first tribal member to hold the post. His background is in finance and economic development and he worked at the Energy Department during the Clinton administration.