Southern Ute Chairman Clement J. Frost appointed Janelle Doughty to the Executive Office, Friday Feb. 27. Doughty joins current Executive Officer Michelle Taylor-Cruz, and the two will now share the duties of the Executive Office.
Frost said he chose Doughty out of three tribal members that had approached him showing interest in the position.
“I had three informal meetings and I made my decision based on [Doughty’s] knowledge of the tribal organization … her past experience as the Director of J&R … and her having a Master’s Degree in Social Services,” Frost said. “I know we need to strengthen those two departments.”
Frost first made it public that he would be appointing another officer during his inauguration speech in December 2014.
“I think it’s going to be an added help. One person running 19 departments is difficult, I’m welcoming the help,” Taylor-Cruz said. “[Doughty] is not new to the organization so that helps a lot … she has her education and experience in [Justice & Regulatory] and Social Services.”
Doughty has been in office less than a week so the administration is still working on dividing up responsibilities, Taylor-Cruz said.
As the chairman and Taylor-Cruz both mentioned, Doughty has an extensive educational and professional background, including the master’s degree she obtained from the University of Denver in Social Work.
Doughty first began working for the tribe in 1993 at the Department of Social Services. She also participated in the tribe’s apprenticeship program in the Justice and Regulatory Department until 2008, when she became the Director of Justice and Regulatory of the Southern Ute Tribe.
Following her time with the tribe, Doughty went to work for the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe, as their Director of Social Services.
She has also sat on several state and federal committees, including an appointment by former Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter to the State of Colorado Civil Rights Commission, Doughty said.
When asked what her passion is, Doughty said her passion is the future of Indian Country.
“My passion is to look 500 years into the future and concentrate on how Indian Country can thrive, rather than survive,” she said. “I want to empower the people.”
Doughty said she wants to focus on the strengthening of the tribe rather that pointing out negatives.
“I want to look at services provided and see how we can make them better, whether it be modifying policies or adding new ones,” she said.
Doughty values professionalism, and stated that her professionalism takes precedence over everything else.
“I treat everyone the same and I don’t have any favorites … I hold everyone accountable under the policies that are in place,” she said.
Doughty is the daughter of Ray C. Frost and Jean Frost, granddaughter of Jake and Annetta Frost, on her Southern Ute side of the family. Doughty is also half Diné and her clan is “Red Running into the Water.”
Doughty is married to Hal Doughty, who works for the Durango Fire Department, and together they have four children. The Doughty family is very involved in raising cattle and horses, she said. Her children have always been involved in sports and rodeo.