WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. — Navajo Nation Shopping Centers Inc. Chief Operating Officer DuWaine Boone, 62, is the latest addition to the management team, beginning his employment with the tribal corporation on July 8.
Born in Monument Valley, Arizona, Boone said he was primarily raised in Utah and Idaho. His parents are from Tuba City, Arizona.
“I’ve been working the last two years for the Fort Bidwell Gidutikad Band of Paiutes as their tribal administrator,” he said. “Two years is a long time to be away from Navajo Country.”
Boone earned a bachelor’s degree in business management with an emphasis in finance from Brigham Young University. He also earned a master’s degree in business administration from Western New Mexico University.
Beyond the impressive educational background, Boone also possesses extensive work experience including two years of employment as a tribal administrator, service as an executive director for the Division of Human Resources under the Kelsey Begaye administration, four years of service as agency director for Navajo Workforce Development and 14 years operating a private organization within five states.
“I have supervised many staff and employees over my career, including the private sector of Los Angeles,” he said.
People skills compounded by business management are two main reasons why Boone knows he is a good fit for the new position with NNSCI.
He is poised to lead the tribal corporation to the next level and knows that people, in the form of staff, customers, tenants, and stakeholders, are the key.
“I know that we are all people," he said. "There is a correct way to work with people and situations need to be handled properly. Knowledge comes with experience."
He first learned of the job opening with NNSCI from a friend and eventually met NNSCI CEO Nick Taylor during the 2024 Reservation Economic Summit in Las Vegas.
He learned that the position was still open and jumped at the opportunity to apply.
Boone is a resident of Rock Springs Chapter, which is also his home chapter.
He believes that NNSCI is the hub of economic development on the Navajo Nation.
“I see Navajo Nation Shopping Centers Inc. as a place important not only to the Navajo people, but also for Navajo business owners,” he said. “It’s important to keep the dollars on Navajo Country for as long as possible to stimulate the local economy.”
The focus on Navajo business isn’t lost on Boone and he knows that getting Navajo consumers to shop locally is work that must constantly be reinforced in the minds of shoppers.
“Everyone likes to run to the border towns on the weekend. Those businesses deposit those sales dollars into their bank, which is also off-reservation,” he said. “The majority of those dollars don’t contribute to the Navajo economy and Navajo businesses.”
Boone likens NNSCI as a training ground for the younger generation to start their own businesses, to learn what business is about, how it works, and honoring obligations.
“For those in need of a place of business, Navajo Nation Shopping Centers Inc. is an excellent place for your business,” he said.
Boone is married with three children.
During his spare time, Boone enjoys riding his Harley Davidson motorcycle and hunting (archery and rifle) on the Navajo Nation.
He is a sports fan and recently watched Argentina take the Copa America over Colombia on July 14 (he’s a fan of Argentina).
BYU Cougars are his favorite college team for basketball and football.
His favorite pro teams include the San Francisco 49ers and Miami Dolphins, teams that he’s followed since the 1970s. The Utah Jazz are his favorite NBA team.
Over the years, Boone has looked up to Navajo business owners such as Romero Brown (Navajoland Inns and Suites, Denny’s), Tom Ranger (RGR Theatres), and Orville Arviso (Arviso-Okland Construction).
“I look up to these business owners because they are still in business, especially after the pandemic of 2020,” he said. “I wish them continued success.”
Boone envisions NNSCI with a meld of Navajo-owned businesses and the more profitable national chains providing goods and services to the Navajo people.
“We need good anchors that will provide steady income in the form of rent and we need Navajo businesses to be successful,” he said.
His formula to attract the businesses desired: reach out to them and talk to them because establishing the relationship is always the first step.
“Support Navajo business, whether it’s a movie theater, hotel, fast food business, jewelry, clothing, beadwork, tire shop, automotive, etc. Instead of heading for the border town, check out Navajo businesses first,” he said.
Boone invites the public to contact him at NNSCI headquarters in Window Rock or by phone at 928-871-2226.
