Author: Michael Levshakof

Chugach’s Chief Operating Officer Congratulates TCC

Chugach Alaska Corporation (Chugach) shareholders and descendants, and the Prince William Sound (PWS) village corporations were among those most impacted. As a proactive measure to prevent future oil spills, Chugach and two of our region’s village corporations— Tatitlek Corporation and Chenega Corporation—came together to form TCC.

For the last 30 years, through contracts with Alyeska Pipeline Service Company (Alyeska), TCC has provided a large portion of the Ship Escort Response Vessel System (SERVS) manpower and expertise. TCC involvement in PWS oil spill response and prevention is a natural fit, with the majority of TCC workers having been raised in the region, on the water and connected, in one form or another, to Alaska’s marine environment.

In addition to being a Chugach shareholder, I have had the honor of being a part of TCC operations in various capacities more than 15 years, which gave me first-hand perspective on a mission that is near to my heart. PWS has been home to the Chugach people for more than 5,000 years, and, with the proper care and protection from TCC and other contractors, will continue to be a home for future generations.

The SERVS contract negotiated with TCC following the oil spill planted the first seed of a promising partnership between Alyeska and Chugach – one that has flourished in the 30 years since. Chugach and TCC have earned numerous commendations for their work with Alyeska, including the most recent 2020 Governor’s Safety Award of Excellence and Alyeska’s prestigious Contractor of the Year (Atigun) award in 2020.

I am thankful to Chugach, Tatitlek and Chenega for their contributions to TCC, and to Alyeska and all the regulatory agencies for their commitment to the safe transit of oil through PWS.

We look forward to protecting and serving the PWS for another 30 years and beyond.

Learn more about TCC and how to join the TCC Team at www.tccalaska.com.

Chugach Chairman Congratulates TCC on 30th Anniversary

“I am proud of the work TCC has done to reach this 30-year milestone and want to celebrate and thank all, past and present, for the work you’ve done to contribute to the improvement of safety for the oil and gas industry in Alaska, and especially in our region.” stated Chugach Chairman Sheri Buretta.

Buretta also extended her gratitude to the organizations who played a hand in TCC’s lasting success. “I want to thank Tatitlek and Chenega for their partnership and for providing the opportunity for our people and their descendants to work at home, in our region, with meaningful employment opportunities, giving them the ability to help protect our ancestral waters.”

Recognizing other partners that protect PWS is also important, Buretta extended her appreciation to other entities and regulatory agencies. “I’m thankful that heightened awareness now exists for preventing oil from touching our waters and shores. This includes state and federal agencies, the Prince William Sounds’ Regional Citizens Advisory Council, and our communities. We are all now more vigilant and focused on prevention and response with regards to oil transportation.”

“I also want to also thank Alyeska Pipeline Service Company for their professionalism and the decades of improvements made on the Trans Alaska Pipeline System (TAPS),” Buretta said. “Before the passing of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act, Chugach leaders released the 1968 land freeze and gave up rights to historical lands for TAPS to be built, in trade for the promise of jobs and contracts on TAPS and $1. This land is where the Valdez Marine Terminal now stands, and other locations in Valdez and Southcentral Alaska where TCC performs its duties under contract with Alyeska. We are pleased we can fulfill the vision of our founders through this TCC contract and provide jobs to our people and recognize the sacrifices those leaders made.”

“Walter Meganack, one of Chugach’s founders and past Chief of Port Graham Village, once said, ‘The land and the water are our sources of life. The water is sacred. So long as the water is alive, Chugach Natives are alive.’”

Recalling the aftermath of EVOS, Buretta stated, “Our people have lived in harmony with the land and water for more than 5,000 years and the bounty it provides to sustain our people. TCC and our partners in PWS help ensure we are protected now and for the generations to come. Congratulations and thank you, again to TCC.” Buretta expressed.

Learn more about the incredible work that TCC does and career opportunities with TCC at www.tccalaska.com.

Chugach Government Solutions (CGS) Announces President Departure

“Scott’s care, commitment, and contributions have played a significant role in our journey, and we are grateful for his service to Chugach for more than 20 years,” expressed Chairman of the Board Sheri Buretta. “On behalf of Chugach’s Board and leadership team, we wish him well on his future endeavors.”
Chugach CEO Jonathan Dalrymple added, “Chugach has thrived over the past five decades in part because of its ability to adapt and embrace transformation as an opportunity to grow and emerge stronger. We are confident that this leadership transition will serve as a catalyst for positive change, help our companies reach their full potential, and ultimately create greater value for our shareholders.”
About Chugach Alaska Corporation (Chugach): Established in 1972 under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act, Chugach Alaska Corporation exists to serve the interests of the Alaska Native people of the Chugach region with a focus on profitability, celebration of our heritage and ownership of our lands. Through responsible management of our lands, businesses and assets, we provide meaningful opportunities and benefits to our community of 2,700 shareholders. Chugach fulfills its mission through a range of investments and operating businesses that provide government, facilities and energy services. Learn more at www.chugach.com.
About Chugach Government Solutions (CGS): Chugach Government Solutions (CGS) represents Chugach’s federal government contracting division, serving customers through 19 operating companies. As a trusted provider of mission-critical solutions to the U.S. Government, CGS operates more than 100 facilities management and maintenance, technical/IT, education, and construction services contracts worldwide. Learn more at  www.chugachgov.com.
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Chugach’s 2023 Pek’stangiyaq Awards

  • We do things the right way
  • We create meaningful value
  • We empower people
  • We build community
  • We leave things better than we found them

In Sugpiaq, the language spoken in the Chugach region, Pek’stangiyaq means ‘Good Worker’, and it took a host of good workers to keep a village fed and prosperous. The 2023 Good Workers who kept our corporate village and its subsidiaries prosperous and successful are:

Kris Tabios, Chugach Heritage Foundation (CHF) Administrative Clerk: Kris Tabios is a valuable asset to the CHF team. Tabios diligently supports CHF’s programs, consistently going above and beyond to ensure that CHF is providing quality programs and services for Chugach’s shareholders and descendants. Tabios’ dedication to great work goes beyond doing “just a job.” He empowers others through his caring personality and will always stop to help a team member better understand something or share the knowledge he has. Tabios builds community through his dedication to our culture by regularly attending workshops and cultural events to learn more about traditional crafts. He has an amazing artistic ability that he shares by helping to pull together events, be it an exhibitor booth or a corporate party. He is a joy to be around and always keeps the CHF team laughing and engaged.

James “Tom” Wiggins, Chugach Government Solutions (CGS) Facility Manager, Project Site Midway Atoll: James “Tom” Wiggins is the Facilities Manager for the Midway Atoll project responsible for all of the facility maintenance. Wiggins is the type of guy that when he sees a need, he doesn’t hesitate to jump in and volunteer his time and skills to help. For example, he saw a need and volunteered his time and experience to help better organize the kitchen staff who are Thai nationals. Wiggins enjoys cooking and has taught our Thai staff how to properly cook steaks, barbecue, and good old southern cooking. He streamlined and organized the ordering process, storage and inventory of food products and improved the monthly menu rotation. He did this all while continuing stellar work in his facility manager role, keeping up with the old-outdated island infrastructure including buildings, water and waste water systems, power production and distribution system, piers and seawalls, roads and a 7,800 foot runway. During the customer’s Seabird Protection Project, he assisted in the building of a base camp on Eastern Island that included tents, water distribution, food storage, power production, and bird containment facilities.

Ashley Moore, CGS Lead Estimator: Ashley Moore is the Lead Estimator for the technical services division. Her workload has substantially increased as the unit has doubled in terms of number of employees over the recent history. Moore is integral in all price-to-win activities, cost narratives and competitive pricing. Her efforts directly bolstered the division’s above industry average win rate. In such a crucial position, she has unparalleled integrity in preparing cost volumes. With the division’s growth and workload increase, she mentors entry level estimators and constantly assists multiple captures. Moore voluntarily participates in all proposal teams working groups, teaming agreement generation, and everything associated with a winning culture. She is a consummate team player, always willing to share knowledge and experience. She is a mainstay in helping to organize our annual Special Olympics Charity Golf Tournament raising an average of $13-15,000 annually. Additionally, she leads our divisions Expo IPT and strategically selects the most optimal conferences to attend. Ashley coordinates every Chugach display booth with a quality layout while minimizing organic cost. These events give back so much to our customers and communities.

Jennie Sodergren, Chugach Commercial Holdings, TCC Training Coordinator: Jennie Sodergren was recognized for her exceptional contributions, her unwavering commitment to excellence, and her embodiment of the Chugach core values. Sodergren’s ability to foster team unity and maintain high productivity standards has been a cornerstone of our TCC’s resiliency and success. She has played a pivotal role in the development and execution of the onboarding process for new hires. Thanks to Jennie’s dedication and initiative, the critical implementation TCC’s new digital hiring process was executed flawlessly. Her proactive engagement in every step of the process, from planning to execution, ensured a seamless transition without disruptions. Additionally, Sodergren has been a driving force with the identification of training software that will enable TCC to present real-time data for training compliance. Her foresight, initiative, and flawless execution of critical projects have not only contributed to our current successes but have also laid the groundwork for future innovations.

Cultural Presentations Connect With Community

  • Whittier with the PWS Natural History Symposium
  • Chugach’s Annual Meeting
  • Alaska Federation of Natives convention
  • JBER military base in Anchorage
  • Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) Alaska Resource Advisory Council

“Sharing the Chugach culture and knowledge about the Chugach region with others is one of the most rewarding aspects of my role with Chugach. It is always a pleasure to give these presentations where I get a lot of positive feedback from attendees.”

Many in the audience have known John throughout his career at Chugach, and these long-term relationships often cultivate the warmest interactions.

Shortly after his presentation to the BLM’s Alaska Resource Advisory Council, John received an email from BLM’s public affairs office in which Dina Torres, who is a Management and Program Analyst, stated, “I’ve worked with John Johnson for 20 years on the conveyance of historical places and cemetery sites under Section 14(h)(1) of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act of 1971. What an incredible journey it has been.”

Johnson’s presentations also touched on the distinguished military service of Alaska Natives from the Chugach region, which often resonate with audience members. “As a Veteran myself, I had no idea my career in the Air Force would lead me to working on the Alaska Land Transfer Program for the Bureau of Land Management,” Torres stated. “I’ve had the honor and privilege of adjudicating hundreds of Section 14(h)(1) selection applications for the transfer of these very important historic and prehistoric sites to Chugach Alaska Corporation.”

These presentations have also led to field trips in the Chugach region. “In 2016, I had the honor of visiting the Nuuciq Spirit Camp on Hinchinbrook Island, where we were led by John on a tour of the cultural camp,” Torres remembered. “It will always be a highlight in my career that I will never forget. I am dedicated and committed to the continued work we have in our obligation under ANCSA and look forward to many more patent signing ceremonies with John and all those at Chugach Alaska Corporation. Thank you, John, for your remarkable presentation.”

Johnson and BLM officials and members of the Alaska Resource Advisory Council enjoy a dinner after the cultural presentation.

Lee Hart, Executive Director of the Alaska Outdoor Alliance, also joined Torres in providing feedback to Johnson on the presentation he shared with the BLM staff.

“I was fascinated and intrigued by John’s presentation. I have lived in Prince William Sound and was so amazed to learn about the rich cultural history and ongoing efforts to restore and preserve it,” Hart stated. “I’ve now discovered an entirely new dimension of Prince William Sound and sincerely hope Alaska Outdoor Alliance’s work may align with and support Chugach Alaska Corporation’s priorities.”

The above photo was taken on June 10, 2022 when BLM officials delivered land conveyances to Chugach’s corporate offices. In photo, left to right, are Abby Muth, Land Law Examiner; Dina Torres, Chief, Branch of Adjudication; Steve Cohn, BLM Alaska State Director; John F. C. Johnson, Chugach’s Vice President of Cultural Resources; Rebecca Curtiss, Land Law Examiner; Paul Krabacher, Associate Deputy State Director, Division of Lands and Cadastral; and Eileen Ford, Land Transfer Resolution Specialist.

John F.C. Johnson, Steve Cohn, and Chugach Chairman Sheri Buretta proudly displaying the conveyances.

Chugach Announces New CEO Jonathan Dalrymple

As CEO, Dalrymple will be responsible for overseeing Chugach’s business enterprise, including its portfolio of operating companies and investments, and the 4,500 employees who support them. He will work in close collaboration with the Board of Directors (Board) and alongside Chief Operating Officer (COO) Peter Andersen and Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Angie Astle to establish strategy, inspire best-in-class operations, and navigate Chugach’s next chapter. He will also partner with the Board, President Josie Hickel, and VP of ANCSA and Community Affairs Katherine Carlton, who oversee Chugach’s lands, community development, and cultural resources initiatives to deliver long-term growth and value on behalf of shareholders.

“After a comprehensive nationwide search in partnership with executive recruiting firm Herd Freed Hartz, the Board is pleased to have found the ideal candidate to continue charting our course for future growth,” said Sheri Buretta, Chugach’s Chairman of the Board. “Jonathan is a well-respected, values-driven, and visionary leader with a track record of successfully navigating organizational transformation and growth initiatives. This, combined with his deep defense industry knowledge, makes Jonathan uniquely qualified to lead Chugach’s business operations at a crucial time for our corporation.”

Dalrymple is a seasoned executive with more than 25 years progressive leadership and business development experience in the aerospace, defense, and intelligence contracting industries. Most recently, he served as Vice President of Strategy, Business Development, and Program Services for VSE Corporation. Prior to that, he was President of a consulting firm for a diverse client list including private equity portfolio companies, venture capital backed start-ups, and strategic public companies, preceded by leadership roles spanning Raytheon, L3, and Textron Systems.

“I’m honored that the Board has entrusted me to continue building upon Chugach’s legacy that has been defined by a number of remarkable leaders over the last five decades,” expressed Dalrymple. “Chugach has all the characteristics of a successful business – an impressive operations footprint, respected reputation, talented people, and unlimited growth potential. I look forward to partnering with the executive leadership team and employees to continue building a winning business and driving long-term sustainable growth for Chugach.”

Dalrymple is a U.S. Navy veteran and holds an honors bachelor’s degree in political science and government from the University of Georgia and a master’s in business administration degree from SDA Bocconi School of Management in Milan, Italy. He is engaged in supporting the arts, children’s hospitals, educational initiatives, and Habitat for Humanity. Dalrymple will relocate to Anchorage with his family, and is excited to join the Chugach team and Alaska community.

High Heels Raise Funds & Awareness For Sexual Violence

This year, two members of Chugach Alaska Corporation’s (Chugach) executive team will elevate their arches with a pair of high heels for the very first time – alongside a few experienced high-heel veterans – to raise awareness about sexual violence and help educate the public on how to prevent it. Their goal is to have every wobbly and uncomfortable step they take raise funds for local crisis centers, domestic violence shelters and sexual violence education and prevention programs.

This year’s Walk A Mile In Her Shoes takes place on September 23, 2023 at Dimond Center at 11 a.m. Our participation goes beyond just taking steps. It’s a statement that we stand united against sexual violence and dedicated to creating positive change in our community.

“I have two daughters, and welcomed my first granddaughter last year,” said Peter Andersen, Chugach’s Chief Operating Officer. “Not only do organizations like STAR emphasize education and awareness to prevent sexual violence, but they provide support and resources to navigate the challenges that so many victims face.”

“Encouraging men to get involved as allies and join the conversation in raising awareness of sexual assault is critically important to create a culture of consent and respect,” CGS Vice President of BD Chris Crosta said. “I’m proud to be a part of that narrative, and I would challenge other Chugach team members to consider joining our team or showing their support during the event on Sept. 23.”

Lace up and let’s do this! Click Here to Join or Donate to Team Chugach!

Chugach Employees Take On PWS Volunteer Opportunity

On August 18, 2023, Chugach’s Mission and Core Behaviors came together in unison as a group of Chugach employees set sail from Whittier on a United State s Forest Service (USFS) marine vessel to participate in a volunteer opportunity in Prince William Sound (PWS).

This year, Chugach started the Employee Volunteer Program, which allows our employees to work a half day at charities and non-profits, or on projects that benefit the community. “Under this program, our Lands, Community, and Culture departments decided to select a project in our region that would strengthen our ties to our lands” said Jack Blackwell, Chugach’s Vice President of Land and Resources.

Jack continued, “I knew that the Prince William Sound Stewardship Foundation (PWSSF) coordinated volunteer and stewardship opportunities in the PWS, so I approached them about a potential project that Chugach employees could take part in. They directed us to the USFS which was seeking volunteers to help make improvements and upgrades to the 17-Mile Campsite.”

This recreational site is named after its 17-mile proximity to Whittier. Blackstone Glacier is at the head of Blackstone Bay and is one of the primary destinations in west PWS. People camp at 17-Mile while recreating in the area. To ensure accessibility, it requires annual maintenance and upkeep, as well as improvements that allow visitors to enjoy all that the site has to offer.

“17-Mile encompasses three camping areas and an interlocking trail system that connects these sites. There are multiple campsites in each of the three areas,” Jack shared. “We spent the day installing signs along the beach to identify the trails that lead to the campsites and worked to clear the trails. Vegetation grows quickly in this environment, so it’s necessary to clear the trees and brush on yearly basis that, if left untended, will encroach on the trails and make them impassable.”

Chugach President Josie Hickel was amongst the group of Chugach volunteers and wanted to thank those who took part. “It was a beautiful, sunny day on the water to and from 17-Mile, and the reward of giving back to the region further added to the day’s enjoyment,” Josie said. “I want to thank Jack for organizing this effort, and I want to thank Diana Brinkman and Anastasia Buretta from our Finance team who joined the effort along with Matthew Ellis who works in our Lands department and Tatianna Turner who works for Chugach’s Cultural Resources for doing their part to build community and better the 17-Mile Campsite.”

Jack Blackwell extended his gratitude as well. “I want to thank my fellow Chugach employees for volunteering at 17-Mile, and I would also like to acknowledge Charla Hughes, PWSSF Executive Director; Chris Stewart, USFS Glacier District Ranger; Tim Lydon, USFS Area Manager; and Barbara Lydon, USFS Wilderness Ranger, for coordinating this project on our behalf. Their dedication and commitment to protecting the land and waters of Prince William Sound is greatly appreciated.”

Chugach’s 12 Months of Giving campaign donates $1,000 to USO Alaska

“My family and I have long supported the USO with our personal contributions for almost 25 years,” Brian said. “So I want to thank Chugach for selecting such a wonderful organization to support financially and for recognizing its important work for our men and women, and their families, who serve in the armed forces.”

For Brian and his family, the credo of the USO is probably the greatest factor that has garnered their support over the last quarter of a century: To Be Always By Their Side. Now, representing Chugach in our nation’s capital, support for the USO has taken on an even greater resonance. “This sounds so much like Chugach and everything that we do for the Armed Forces. I think of the many ways that Chugach stands by the side of our U.S. Military, with our extensive Federal contracts and the many veterans who work for our company throughout the world, and consequently, I’ve gained a deeper respect for the company I have the privilege to represent.”

Speaking on a more personal level, Brian stated how Chugach’s contribution to the USO will help to make a difference. “Here in Washington, D.C., I have friends and colleagues who work for the National USO organization, so I have learned from them that Chugach’s generous contribution at the state level will be valued and appreciated.”

Brian Knapp with Alaska Rep. Mary Peltola.

Brian’s primary responsibility in Washington is to regularly meet with Alaska’s delegation, and other members of Congress and administration officials to ensure that the interests of Chugach and our subsidiaries are advanced to the benefit of our employees and shareholders. Chugach’s charitable contributions has allowed Brian to perform this duty with pride. “I feel fortunate to work for a company that recognizes the importance of giving to others who can benefit from our financial success,” Brian expressed. “And I thank Chugach so much for helping the Alaska chapter of the USO.”

To learn more about the Alaska USO’s mission and to make a donation to this incredible organization, go to https://alaska.uso.org/. Every month, Chugach makes a $1,000 donation to similar organizations based on the nominations of our employees; to nominate your favorite organization or charity, go 12months.chugach.com.

Team Tammy Soars To $24,000

For eight years, Chugach employees, families and friends who make up our team have taken home first-place awards in these two categories. Over the life of the AKRFW, our generous team-member donations to the annual event have surpassed more than $140,000.

The run was held on Saturday, June 10th, with Chugach team members adorned in pink superhero capes in honor of long-time Chugach employee Tammy Morton-Bilak, who passed away in February 2023 after a battle with breast cancer.

“With one in eight women diagnosed with breast cancer during their lifetime, nearly all of us have been touched by the devastating impacts of this disease,” said Angie Astle, Chugach’s Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. “This year we had the honor of running on behalf of our dear friend, coworker, and ‘superhero’ Tammy Morton-Bilak, who has been an inspiration and steadfast advocate of the AKRFW throughout her diagnosis and treatment.”

Thank you to all who joined Team Tammy, especially Tammy’s family members who ran the race with us from start to finish. We look forward to coming together next year and running the race again for Tammy and for all the women and their families who have been touched by breast cancer.

Until then Team Tammy, wear your capes with pride!