Photo: Left: Derrick Watchman. Top Right: TJ Show (NAB Board Member), Kent Paul, and Tom Ogaard (NAB President and CEO) at Kent’s Board Retirement Dinner. Bottom Right: Kent and Derrick at Tulalip Branch Grand Opening celebration.
DENVER — Native American Bank (NAB) announced today that Derrick Watchman (Navajo) has been selected as its new Chairman of the Board. Kent Paul, the previous Chair, is stepping down after 22 years.
“Derrick’s career in Indian Country finance is unparalleled,” said NAB President and CEO Thomas D. Ogaard. “From gaming to energy to entrepreneurship, Derrick has 40 years of personal experience that makes his perspective on trends and the needs of Tribal Nations and businesses invaluable.”
Watchman is currently the Chief Information Officer of the Navajo Nation Gaming Enterprise, where he has also served as CEO. He is the President and owner of Sagebrush Hill Group, LLC, which advises Indian Country clients on economic development and other matters.
Over the past several decades, he’s held a number of roles in finance for Native customers. He was Vice President and Senior Relationship Manager at JP Morgan Chase Bank’s Native American Banking Group. Previously, he worked for Wells Fargo Bank’s Native American gaming, banking and finance group. He has also served as COO and General Manager of Navajo Nation’s Dinè Power Authority.
Previous Chair Kent Paul has been involved with NAB since it launched in 2001 and joined the board in 2003. Under his board leadership, NAB grew to a nearly $400 million institution and maintained an “outstanding” rating under the Community Reinvestment Act for more than 20 years. He’s overseen numerous initiatives at the bank, including providing support for the Tribal Cannabis Industry.
Native American Bank is the only multi-Tribally-owned community development bank in the United States. More than 96% of its loans are made to the Native borrowers, including Tribes, Tribal Enterprises, Alaska Native Corporations (ANCs) and Villages or small business owners.
“It’s an honor to lead this board,” Watchman said. “The commitment of the whole NAB team—for providing rich expertise, outstanding service and necessary capital throughout Indian Country—is inspiring.”
Contact:
Veronica Lane, Native American Bank
Vice President, Marketing Director
[email protected]
720-963-5515
About Native American Bank
Chartered as a national community development focused bank, Native American Bank, N.A. is also a certified Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI). It is committed to being a self-sustaining CDFI and is the first national American Indian-owned community development bank in the country. Native American Bank supports the communities that it services, and it received an “outstanding” score on the most recent Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) exam. Learn more at nativeamericanbank.com.