Begaye appoints new chief of staff

WINDOW ROCK—President of the Navajo Nation Kelsey A. Begaye and Vice President Taylor McKenzie, M.D., announce the appointment of Mr. Derrick Watchman as Chief of Staff for the Office of the President and Vice President.

Mr. Watchman has just completed his tenure as the U.S. Department of Energy’s Director of Indian Affairs. In this capacity, Watchman oversaw Department programs affecting tribal governments, serving as highest senior liaison between the Department, the Energy Secretary and tribal governments.

Prior to this, Watchman worked as the Chief of Staff for the Department of Energy’s Economic Impact and Diversity Office. Energy Secretary Bill Richardson appointed Watchman to this position in September of 1998.

“We are now beginning the third year of the Begaye/McKenzie administration. Although much has been accomplished, Vice President McKenzie and I feel there is still much more work to be completed,” said President Begaye. “With Mr. Watchman’s exceptional qualifications and expertise, we are encouraged that we will dutifully and eagerly complete the work we have before us.”

A 1981 graduate of Window Rock High School, Watchman is Ts’ahyisk’idinii (Sage Brush Hill), born for To’ahani (Near the Water Clan). His maternal grandfather is Ta’baaha (Water’s Edge). Born in 1963, Watchman was raised near Navajo, New Mexico and is the son of the late New Mexico State Representative, Leo Watchman, Sr.

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