New econ director faces challenging times

Posted by Arlyssa Becenti | Apr 26, 2018 | News |

WINDOW ROCK

With only seven months left in the 23rd Navajo Nation Council, newly appointed Economic Development Director Sean McCabe has lofty goals and an extensive to-do list.

Submitted
Sean McCabe

They were given to him by delegates to get the tribe on the path to a strong economy. Late last Thursday night, delegates debated until midnight in order to finish up their spring session agenda. Delegates voted to approve McCabe with a vote of 17 as the new director of the Division of Economic Development.

He will be taking over the position held by former director Crystal Deschinny, who stepped down in January. “He does know what he’s talking about, he does know business and he does know how to develop it,” said Resource and Development Committee Vice Chairman Ben Bennett. McCabe is from Fort Defiance and received a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Fort Lewis College.

He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the New Mexico Society of Certified Public Accountants. McCabe served as a member of the Notah Begay III Foundation Board of Directors, NOVA Corporation Board of Directors, American Institute for Certified Public Accountants Minority Initiative Committee and as chairman of the Navajo Gaming Enterprise Board of Directors.

He is currently serving as the treasurer on the Navajo Housing Authority board and also owns his own CPA firm, McCabe CPA Group, LLC. “We are in dire need of economic development,” said Budget and Finance Chairman Seth Damon to McCabe.

“You have eight months. What is your plans?” Damon continued to ask McCabe what his agenda would be when it comes to the Navajo Nation sales tax, the Permanent Trust Fund five-year expenditure plan, the impending closure of the Navajo Generating Station, assisting Eastern Agency since it is the agency that receives the least in sales tax, and much more.