We are excited to see everyone next week!
This year we have 4 seats available and six amazing candidates running for office. Three seats will have a full 3-year term, and the fourth will have a two-year term.
You must be a full-paid member in order to cast your vote, if you register before June 6, 2020 you will still be able to vote in this election. You can see if you are listed on the "affiliate" list (and as such are not allowed to vote) and register if you want to vote HERE
Voting will open for FULL PAID members on Monday May 8, and will close May 10 following the annual meeting portion of our event (4:00) Stay tuned as we will be announcing our results following the annual meeting on May 10.
Watch for voting link from ANVCA on May 8, these will be sent directly to our paid member contact e-mail. If you do not receive the email on the 8th, please let us know email hbissett@anvca.biz
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Meet your 2022 Board Candidates |
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Andrea Gusty President/CEO The Kuskokwim Corporation
Andrea Gusty is President and CEO of the Kuskokwim Corporation, a village corporation consisting of ten communities in the Middle Kuskokwim River region. Andrea is the daughter of Cheryl Jerabek of Aniak and Andrew Gusty Sr. of Stony River. Yup’ik and Athabascan, Andrea is a TKC Class B Shareholder and a Tribal member of Aniak. Andrea graduated from Aniak High School in 2001 and received a Bachelor of Science in Broadcast Journalism from Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism.
After college, Andrea returned home to Alaska to work as an investigative news reporter and anchor for KTVA CBS 11 News in Anchorage. Andrea was hired by U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski in 2011 to be her Alaska Communications Director. Wanting to do more for the people of the Kuskokwim region and their descendants, Andrea began working for The Kuskokwim Corporation (TKC) in April 2014. Andrea previously served as Community Relations, Land and Resource Manager, and Vice President before being appointed as President and CEO of TKC in February 2020. Andrea has been named one of the Top 40 Under 40 by Alaska Business Monthly and is a recipient of the Native American 40 Under 40 Award from The National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development.
Statement:
As president and CEO of one of Alaska’s largest village corporations I know how important the mission of ANVCA is, now more than ever. We are on the edge of change in Alaska. ANCSA is now 50 years old and the work village corporations do for the good of our shareholders is more important than ever.
We are tasked with taking care of our people by making money for them. But as we know, ANCSA corporations are more than just a business, we also have social service obligations, governmental requirements and so much more. In 50 years, we have become more successful than I think anyone back then expected us to be.
Corporations are the largest employers and often the highest earning companies in the state. With that success many of us are boldly stepping into the arenas that previously were reserved for state and federal agencies, non-profits and tribes.
Despite the success, many challenges still lay ahead. The Chahalis Litigation, and the amazing job ANVCA’s staff did to ensure corporations would be eligible to administer the CARES payments to our shareholders was just the beginning. Dwindling 7j payments, restrictive federal regulations and changing shareholder bases confront us all. ANVCA’s leadership will be vitally important in ensuring that our corporations can weather the changing landscape. The Kuskokwim Corporation (TKC) was the founding organization of ANVCA and I would be honored if I and TKC could again serve all village corporations on ANVCA’s board of directors. Quyana.
Andrea Gusty
President & CEO
The Kuskokwim Corporation
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Anne Thomas, President Chitina Native Corporation
I am an Athabascan Native enrolled in the Ahtna, Inc. Region. I was born and raised in Alaska and have a great love for my Native homeland. I have served on the Chitina Native Corporation Board of Directors for the past 18 years and served as President for most of that time. I have served on the ANVCA Board for Directors since its inception. ANVCA continues to work on issues to advance Native Village Corporations and protect their futures in the Alaska business and private sectors.
I have currently completed courses at UAF including Hunting and Fishing Advocacy, Tribal Stewardship Courses and Tribal Government 101. I am enrolled in the Tribal Government program and expect to receive an AA in the next two years.
My personal goals would be to bring higher education opportunities to our shareholders and promote the right to manage issues on our Native lands, including hunting and fishing. Chitina Native Corporation successfully manages the O’Brien Fishery in the Chitina Area.
I have enjoyed my service on the ANVCA Board and would be happy to serve you in the coming years.
Sincerely,
Anne Thomas
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Charles Fagerstrom President/CEO Sitnasuak Native Corporation
This letter is to express interest in the current Alaska Native Village Corporation Association Board seat vacancy. Sitnasuak Native Corporation is a successful and growing village corporation that is well diversified and poised for continued success. SNC, through the leadership of the Board, takes to heart our mission of earning profits on operations while protecting our land and culture.
As CEO of SNC, which is the largest village corporation in the Bering Straits region, I understand our unique role to create value to benefit our shareholders not only through monetary distributions but also contributing to community building and development through cultural, land and language preservation as well as educational development and scholarships. As a shareholder of Sitnasuak and Inupiaq, I also recognize the value of collaboration and advocacy among stakeholders to further our mission and better align resources and initiatives towards a common purpose which inevitably maximizes shareholder benefits.
The Alaska Native Village Corporation Association plays a critical role in the continued development and sustainability of Alaska Native Corporations. While there are many examples of success among the village corporations, there are many that are faced with challenges. This sustainability will be more important as emerging issues and threats begin to take hold. Declining natural resource production and the ensuing declining revenue sharing is an example that will further threaten the sustainability of our village corporations. There are many other threats that will need to be prioritized and mitigated which further emphasizes the importance and critical role of the ANVCA. We are stronger when we work together and support each other, and if chosen, I look forward to contributing to the dialogue and shaping our future so all Alaska Native Village Corporations can thrive and provide continued value and benefits to our respective shareholders. I appreciate your consideration.
Sincerely,
Charles Fagerstrom
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Dena Sommer-Pedebone CEO, Gana-A’Yoo, Limited
I am pleased to submit my interest in running for the ANVCA board. I was elected ‘virtually’ in 2020 and have thoroughly enjoyed my two-year tenure. Our board is gaining momentum with our initiatives and ‘gelling’ as a governance team. The successful win, virtually, of the Chehalis case against Alaska Native Corporations is a true testament to teamwork we have formed. I would like to continue as a director to assist in keeping our forward path moving. Below is a brief bio. I am happy to submit a resume if necessary. I have served as the Chief Executive Officer of Gana-A’Yoo, Limited for four years. Gana-A’Yoo represents the Interior Yukon villages of Galena, Koyukuk, Nulato, and Kaltag. As CEO of Gana-A’Yoo, I work directly with the Board of Directors to set the overall direction of the Gana-A’Yoo family of companies and provide leadership to our senior management team. During my tenure with Gana-A’Yoo we have seen shareholder dividends more than triple in line with increased profit and revenue. Prior to my role as CEO of my village corporation, I worked for Alyeska Pipeline and tribal organizations in the Cook Inlet and Doyon regions. I graduated from the University of Alaska Fairbanks in Business Management with leadership honors and have completed a graduate certificate program in executive leadership at Alaska Pacific University and Cornell University. I have served on the ANVCA board for two years as well as the board of directors of the Alaska Native Heritage Center, and I am a founder and director of College Prep Athletics a non-profit organization dedication to helping Alaska student-athletes who may not have the resources necessary to achieve their potential. I am Koyukon Athabascan and an enrolled member of the Nulato tribe, born in Fairbanks, I was raised on the Yukon River. My husband, Macoy Pedebone, and I have two daughters, Austyn and Sunny.
Sincerely, Dena Sommer-Pedebone CEO, Gana-A’Yoo, Limited
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Marit Carlson-Van Dort President & CEO Far West Inc.
To Whom It May Concern, I am writing to express my interest in serving on the ANVCA Board of Directors. I have served as the President & CEO of Far West, Inc., a ANVCA member village corporation, for several years. Far West, Inc. (FWI) is an Alaska Native Village Corporation formed under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) that is owned by over 500 shareholders and holds surface title to over 145,000 acres of land in and around the village Chignik Bay.
Chignik Bay is in the Bristol Bay region and located on the southern Alaska Peninsula. Alaska Native Corporations formed under ANCSA are at a pivotal time in our history. The COVID-19 pandemic has laid bare the significant misunderstandings at home and across the country of our formation and purpose; as well as exposed the vulnerabilities that we must shore up to protect Alaska Native people. I have followed with increasing interest ANVCA’s leadership on this front and collaboration with the ANCSA Regionals Association to address the educational, legal and policy gaps that exist when it comes to protecting the cultural and business interests of Alaska Native Corporations. I have been impressed and encouraged by the important work being done and believe that my personal and professional experience can assist in these efforts and augment the strategy development and implementation as we move forward collectively as village corporations and Alaska Native people.
Over the last twenty years I have served on several boards and worked extensively in both the public and private sectors in policy development, advocacy, and outreach. I have years of experience working for both Alaska Native regional and village corporations and policy work that spans environmental conservation issues to resource development, fisheries and federal contracting. I believe this brings a useful and complimentary knowledge and perspective to directing the work of ANVCA. I am happy to make time to answer questions you may have or provide any additional information. I appreciate the consideration of my interest in serving on the ANVCA board of directors.
Respectfully,
Marit Carlson-Van Dort President & CEO
Far West Inc.
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Susan L. Taylor
I am expressing my interest to serve on the ANVCA Board. I am the CEO of St. Mary’s Native Corporation. The Yup'ik village of St. Mary’s is located on the north bank of the Andreafsky River in the Calista region, we have corporate offices in St. Mary’s and Anchorage, Alaska. Because my career has mainly consisted of working with Alaska Native Corporation’s and other Native Organizations, I may have some insight worth sharing with the board and members of ANVCA. I also believe that my service on this board will be of advantage to SMNC shareholders in increased awareness of statewide, nationwide, and sometimes worldwide issues that affect us.
Professional Experience:
2021 – Current
St. Mary’s Native Corporation – Chief Executive Officer
2020 – 2021
St. Mary’s Native Corporation – Chief Operating Officer
SMNC Properties – General Manager
2007-2019
Ahtna Family of Companies – Subsidiary President
2002 -2005
Department of the Interior BIA – Rights Protection Specialist
2001-2002
Alaska Realty Consortium – Realty Officer
1985-1999
Ahtna Incorporated – Various, including COO
Education
Alaska Pacific University
Completed 3 semesters toward obtaining a B.A. in Business Administration Management.
University of Alaska, Prince William Sound Community College Copper Basin Campus Associate Arts Degree: May 1995.
Susan L. Taylor (Sue)
Chief Executive Officer, St. Mary’s Native Corporation
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