Board Member since incorporation of DDC in 2004

Edward S. Richards was born in Ft. Defiance, Arizona, graduated from Window Rock High School in Ft. Defiance and has lived and worked on the Navajo Nation most of his life.

Ed Richards was the Chief Executive Officer and General Manager of Navajo Forest Products Industries, where he was employed from 1969 to 1995 (26 years).  He started at NFPI as a Logging Engineer, just out of college, and worked his way to the top, becoming the CEO in 1981.  NFPI was a major business enterprise owned by the Navajo Nation, and employed 300 people and generated annual revenues of $20 million from the production of lumber and particleboard during its peak years.

After the closure of NFPI, due to lack of a Federally-approved Forest Management Plan, Mr. Richards went to work at the Navajo Nation Division of Economic Development as the Director of the Small Business Development Department.  He was eventually promoted to Division Director of DED where he served until he retired in 2003.

Mr. Richards is a graduate of Northern Arizona University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Forestry with concentration on wood industries management and business management.  He has received numerous honors and awards from the University in recognition of his academic achievements, distinguished business career and positive impact on his community.

In addition to DDC, Mr. Richards presently serves on the Board of Directors for the Navajo Times Publishing Company, Inc., and Nova Corporation.  He has also served on the Rehoboth McKinley Christian Health Care Services Board of Directors.  Although retired, he now does business consulting for a few selected clients.

Mr. Richards is married and has four children.