Our Leadership

Mr. Lund commenced his career at North American Coal, where he worked for over 25 years, holding various technical, operational management, and executive positions. He graduated from North Dakota State University with a B.S. in Civil Engineering, and from Auburn University with an MBA.

• Mr. Lund is a seasoned coal executive with more than 25 years of experience in operational management, business development, and new project development
• Prior to joining NTEC, Mr. Lund served as Vice President of Engineering and Business Development for North American Coal from 2017 – 2021
• Mr. Lund is registered as a professional engineer
• In addition to executive roles, Mr. Lund has extensive field experience at five different mining operations
• He is experienced in all aspects of operations – business development/contract negotiations; new project development including engineering design, permitting, and construction; mine management; executive oversight of multiple operations

Mr. Tipton is the Chief Growth Officer (CGO) for NTEC. As the CGO, Mr. Tipton is responsible for developing long-term strategies and corporate structure to ensure the company has continuous and sustainable growth, both internal and external, and overseeing the execution to reach those goals. Throughout his career, Mr. Tipton has held various positions in business development, mine operations, mine management, and executive management.

• Mr. Tipton’s business development activities include projects in coal, limestone, activated carbon, solar facilities, rare earth, lithium, and copper mining in the United States and internationally
• He has degrees in Mining and Geological Engineering from the Colorado School of Mines and an MBA from Southern Methodist University
• He has over 40 years of experience in the coal industry
• Prior to joining NTEC, Tipton served as Vice President of Engineering for the North American Coal Corporation

Mr. Ziegler is an experienced coal executive with more than 38 years of experience in all facets of the coal mining industry.

• Prior to joining NTEC, Mr. Ziegler was the General Manager of the Navajo mine in New Mexico from 2017-2021.
• Previous experience includes a variety of roles with the North American Coal Corporation before joining NTEC in 2021.
• Mr. Ziegler has a degree in Business Administration and Accounting from the Dickinson State University.

Mr. Masters has 30 years of experience as a legal and compliance executive in both private practices and in-house positions.

• Ten years of in-house experience with Boart Longyear in the global mining industry, including an operational role in Switzerland
• A former partner at Andrews Kurth in Dallas as a commercial trial lawyer representing national clients in complex commercial matters
• Received his J.D. from Tulane University Law School

Michael Hofer is a seasoned finance executive with over 20 years of global experience in various companies and industries. He holds an MBA from the Vienna University of Economics and Business, a Ph.D. in Mass Communication/Media Studies from the Paris Lodron Universität Salzburg, and a Master of Science in Accounting from Regis University.

• Hofer is an expert at mergers and acquisitions, corporate restructuring, and global expansion.
• Before joining NTEC, Mr. Hofer led numerous M&A processes, from due diligence to negotiation, integration, and restructuring.
• Hofer speaks five languages, which helps ensure seamless international financial operations.
• In addition to executive positions, Mr. Hofer has a proven track record of navigating companies through organizational restructuring across countries and continents.
• Skilled in all aspects of finance, including strategic planning, risk management, international accounting standards, growth strategies, financial forecasting, and cost accounting, Mr. Hofer is an excellent addition to NTEC’s leadership team as Chief Financial Officer.

Ms. Clemetson holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology with an emphasis on human resources from the University of Wyoming. She serves on the Campco Federal Credit Union Board of Directors. She has also served as a Board member for the Yes House Foundation and Energy Capital Economic Development. Clemetson is responsible for the development and execution of human resource strategy in support of the overall business plan and strategic direction of NTEC.

• Ms. Clemetson began work for predecessor companies Kennecott Energy, Rio Tinto Energy America, and Cloud Peak Energy in November 2001 (prior to the formation of NTEC)
• Ms. Clemetson worked at the company’s Antelope and Cordero Rojo Mines before being promoted to the Human Resources Director Field Operations role in September 2009

Mr. Babcock began his career in a marketing role with a small software startup where he took part in building electronic market infrastructure to optimize supply chains for large commercial foodservice operations. He later joined an international freight forwarder, where he managed multi-modal domestic and international cargo pricing and logistics. After completing an MBA at the University of Southern Mississippi in 2008, he joined the Coal Business Group at Norfolk Southern Railway, where he held several commercial positions in business analysis, as well as sales and marketing. In 2013, Mr. Babcock joined Cloud Peak Energy to manage international sales and logistics and subsequently joined the management team at Navajo Transitional Energy Company after NTEC’s acquisition of the Cloud Peak assets in 2019.

• Mr. Babcock holds an MBA and a BSBA in International Business/Economics from the University of Southern Mississippi, and has over 20 years of professional experience in sales and marketing, international trade, and logistics

Ms. Flowers is an experienced energy utility executive with 30+ years leading various operating, design and construction functions associated with coal, gas, solar, and wind generating technologies. Prior to joining NTEC, she led an energy executive consulting service company facilitating complex energy deals, operating asset valuations, and strategic partnerships.

• Previously, Ms. Flowers was accountable for renewable generation acquisition support and construction management as VP New Generation Development for the Southern Company. In this role, she led the acquisition of $2B in wind and solar assets and the development of 6 solar military projects for GPC & APC.
• In the role of Chief Generation Technical Officer, she led Southern’s technical experts and developed operating strategies for all in-service power plants.
• Across several plant manager and production officer roles she delivered year-over-year bottom-line results in areas of safety, reliability and cost performance.
• Ms. Flowers holds a B.S. in Industrial and Systems Engineering from Georgia Institute of Technology, an MBA from the University of West Georgia, and has completed the Executive Management Program at Emory’s Goizueta Business School in Atlanta, GA.