NTEC reports record dividend as delegates question transparency and leadership
NTEC’s $5.5 million dividend set a new record, but delegates pressed executives on hidden pay, Navajo leadership gaps and who really benefits.
Navajo Transitional Energy Company arrived before the Naabik’íyáti’ Committee on June 11 with a record $5.5 million dividend, and delegates asked about transparency after executives declined to disclose what top officers are paid. Its 2025 performance year generated roughly $121 million in total economic impact for the Navajo Nation.
The dividend was formally presented June 15 at Navajo Mine to President Buu Nygren, members of the Navajo Nation Council and NTEC leadership. The Office of the Navajo Nation President and Vice President put the payment at a 74.6 percent increase from the $3.15 million dividend distributed in September 2025, NTEC’s largest annual dividend to date. The office put NTEC’s annual economic contribution to the Navajo Nation at more than $128 million through taxes, royalties, wages and charitable giving, and the new dividend pushed expected annual economic impact above $136 million.
The 22nd Navajo Nation Council established NTEC under Navajo law as an autonomous commercial entity with an independent board of directors. The company owns the Navajo Mine, holds a 7 percent interest in the Four Corners Power Plant, and owns and operates mines in Montana and Wyoming. Timothy H. McLaughlin is chairman, Peter Denetclaw is vice-chairman, Lionel Haskie is secretary, and board members are Dr. Peter E. Jenkins, Christopher Joe Talker, P.E., and Affie Ellis; Vern Lund is chief executive officer.
The June 11 committee agenda named McLaughlin and Lund as presenters on current operations, revenue, cash flow and financial performance. Thirteen years after NTEC was created, the company still has no Navajo chief executive and no senior officers living on the reservation.
NTEC’s 2024 operational report put its contribution at more than $128 million to the Navajo Nation, provided over 500 jobs to Navajo citizens and donated $4.6 million directly to Navajo communities. The latest dividend will help fund government operations, community programs, infrastructure improvements and educational initiatives. Resources and Development Committee Chair Brenda Jesus praised mine employees, and Delegate Rickie Nez backed the mine and Four Corners Power Plant for their role in the Navajo economy.
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