Meet Our Team

Dr. Ellen B. Stechel serves as the Executive Director of the Center for an Arizona Carbon-Neutral Economy (AzCaNE) and Co-Director of ASU LightWorks®, a university-wide initiative in energy and sustainability at Arizona State University (ASU). She is also a Professor of Practice in the School of Molecular Sciences and a Senior Global Futures Scientist at the Julie Ann Wrigley Global Futures Lab at ASU. With a Ph.D. in chemical physics from the University of Chicago, Dr. Stechel’s career spans national laboratories, industry, government agencies, and academia, covering both basic and applied research. She is experienced in policy, commercialization of emerging technologies, and multi-disciplinary R&D strategy and management. Dr. Stechel, who has published over 120 peer-reviewed articles, currently focuses her transdisciplinary research on solar-driven technologies, including sustainable liquid hydrocarbons from carbon dioxide, low-carbon hydrogen, clean water, renewable ammonia, industrial heat, energy storage, and food production.

Derrick Watchman, President of Sagebrush Hill Group LLC, brings over 35 years of experience in commercial and tribal business, specializing in gaming and banking. A member of the Navajo Nation from Window Rock, Arizona, Watchman has a significant background in tribal affairs and economic development. He formerly led the Navajo Nation Gaming Enterprise as CEO, expanding it to operate three casinos with over 1,700 employees. Prior roles include Vice President and Senior Relationship Manager at JP Morgan Chase’s Native American Banking Group, and banking positions at Wells Fargo focused on Native American gaming. Watchman also served as COO of the Navajo Nation’s Dinè Power Authority and Director of the Navajo Tax Commission. Additionally, he is involved in various directorships, including the National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development Board and the Native American Bancorporation. He holds an MBA from the University of California and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Arizona.

Andy Hawkins, Senior Manager, Training & Community Relations at Navajo Transitional Energy Company (NTEC), has been an integral part of NTEC since 2021, bringing his extensive experience from his previous role at Navajo Mine. With 21 years of dedicated service in the Ohio Army National Guard, Andy retired as a respected leader and transitioned to a career focused on strengthening community ties. As NTEC’s Senior Manager of Training and Community Relations, Andy plays a key role in connecting NTEC with the communities it serves. His efforts are centered on making positive impacts in cultural, educational, and non-profit sectors, ensuring NTEC’s support for the Navajo Nation and its people.

Matthew Gonzales, currently the Interim Executive Director for 4CCEA and Southwest State Affairs Director for the Consumer Energy Alliance (CEA), specializes in natural resource development policy and advocacy. With a decade of experience, his roles have included Government Affairs Director for the New Mexico Farm and Livestock Bureau and Vice President of Government Affairs & Public Relations for the Association of Commerce & Industry of New Mexico, contributing significantly to agriculture and natural resource legislation. An Air Force veteran, Gonzales has served as Mayor of Cimarron and on its Board of Education, and is Vice-Chair of the National Hispanic Energy Council. He is also a member of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and the VFW.