Author: Michael Levshakof

Tomas Andersen Joins Chugach Board

For Tomas, family and Chugach’s culture and traditions are the priorities in his life and what he’ll make priorities as a Chugach Director. “I want to help maintain the values that make our people and our corporation strong and continue to build a bright future for my family and for all of our shareholder families.”

Tomas serves as an Instructional Coordinator for the Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District (MSBSD), and he sees an overlap in his career with the work that he’ll do on the Chugach Board. “I constantly partner with different departments, vendors, and district personnel to develop and carry out district plans and initiatives. Currently my area of focus is developing and supporting students and staff growth. To achieve success in these areas requires amazing teamwork between the entire MSBSD staff and site stakeholders, and I hope to achieve the same level of collaboration on the Chugach Board and grow the corporation and shareholder benefits for our community.”

Born and raised in Cordova, Tomas’ parents are Martin (Teeny) and Angelica Andersen, and his grandparents on his father’s side of his family are George Andersen and May Lange. He married Angela Totemoff in 2009, and the couple are proud parents of two children: daughters Charli and Andee.

Tomas is excited to serve on the Board, and he encourages other shareholders to get involved and play an active role in the Chugach community. To start, he sees building a solid career foundation as one of the best ways to contribute to Chugach’s success. “Taking advantage of all that Chugach has to offer is an ideal way to participate in the shareholder community,” Tomas stated. “The opportunities Chugach has to offer are amazing. From education funding and shareholder employment, each offers ways for self-improvement and bettering one’s ability to provide for oneself, one’s families, and to hopefully, give back to Chugach and its shareholders later down the road once a career has been established. It’s our corporation, and we’re the most invested in seeing it be successful.”

Looking back on Chugach’s history, Tomas sees our rise from a wholly village and subsistence lifestyle to what our people have achieved in the corporate world as an incredible journey that has only just begun. “The story of our people is nothing short of amazing in what we have overcome. We have met many challenges, in the face overwhelming odds. To the best of my ability, I will do my part in the next chapter of our success, and I’m looking forward to what we have yet to achieve.”

 

  

General Manager Joins Naswik Team

Naswik is a multi-purpose housing facility located in beautiful downtown Valdez, Alaska, and was built in a partnership between The Tatitlek Corporation, Chenega Corporation, and Chugach Alaska Corporation (Chugach). The four-story building is comprised of 37 housing units, a portion of which will be leased out to organizations who have rotational work populations with the remainder devoted to nightly rentals.

With a diverse background in customer service and real estate, Samantha Burke began her journey in property management in 2014, and has since managed over 200 properties. Her career has allowed her to take on roles such as Office Manager, Listing Coordinator, Bookkeeper, Property Manager, and Real Estate Agent.

Two years ago, Samantha returned to Valdez to help support the needs of her parents while working within the school district. Starting in the elementary school office and quickly transitioning to the District Office, she excelled as the District Admin Assistant to the Superintendent and Board of Education. Her responsibilities included maintaining HR and student records, scheduling events, and overseeing the superintendent’s calendar.

Although content in her role at the school district, she was encouraged to take a look at the Naswik job listing by her mother, who saw it as a perfect match for Samantha’s skills and experience. Samantha agreed and eagerly applied for the position, and her qualifications made her a clear stand out amongst the applicants.

Upon being hired, Samantha expressed her gratitude and stated, “I hope to create a strong community atmosphere at Naswik between our guests, long-term renters, and staff. I am very excited about returning to the hospitality field, and as the General Manager my priority will be to ensure that guests enjoy their stay and that we create a great working environment for those we employ, and that the building becomes a profitable venture.”

Samantha is driven by the core values of accountability, adaptability, and authenticity. “Adaptability goes hand in hand with accountability, being able to handle change and think of things from another person’s point of view is essential to serving in the hospitality industry,” Samantha shared. “Authenticity, I believe, is key to connecting with people as it offers the best way to create trust. It is important to me to be open with people and treat them with the same level of respect and understanding that I would expect to receive.”

Outside of work, Samantha loves to spend time with her family. “My husband and I have two children: Atli, our son, who is seven, and Remi, our daughter, who is five, and they each keep us on our toes. We love to do projects together as a family, and you will often find me in the garage using power tools or outside tending to our chickens.”

“My husband is an Army Veteran who served as a 160th SOAR Crew Chief. We have been married for 10 years and most of those years were spent near Ft. Campbell in Tennessee and Kentucky. As a self-proclaimed artist, I have done hundreds of military related artworks in many different mediums in support of his service and for fellow military families.”

With the move back to Valdez and taking on the Naswik General Manager, Samanth’s journey has come full circle. “It has been fun moving back to where I was raised and having my husband and kids experience the town I grew up in. I was born in Cordova and was raised in Valdez, so showing them the ocean and the mountains I explored as a child has been priceless.”

Family is the model that Samantha plans to bring to Naswik. “My family is very supportive of each other, and I wouldn’t be the successful person that I am today without their love and devotion. My family has always been my greatest source of support and inspiration, and I hope to bring that same energy and dedication to my role at Naswik, ensuring every guest and employee feels like they are part of an extended family.”

Katherine Carlton feels the same in regards to family and Naswik’s place in the Valdez community. “We’re excited to have Samantha lead the Naswik team. Her priority on family mirrors the core values of Chugach, and we look forward to working with her to create strong and lasting relationships in Valdez and with the guests who visit Naswik Suites.”

Chugach Chairman Speaks At AFN’s Alaska Day

During Alaska Day, participants advocate for various issues such as tribal sovereignty, indigenous rights, healthcare, education, economic development, and environmental concerns affecting Alaska Natives and their lands. The event includes meetings with members of Congress, government officials, and other stakeholders to discuss these topics and raise awareness about the unique challenges faced by Alaska Native peoples. 

Alaska Day is also a platform for cultural sharing, showcasing Alaska Native traditions, arts, and language to a wider audience in the nation’s capital. Moreover, it provides an opportunity to celebrate the rich cultural heritage and contributions of Alaska Natives while advocating for policies that support their communities’ well-being and prosperity. 

This year, Sheri Buretta, Chairman of Chugach Alaska Corporation (Chugach), presented at the 2024 Alaska Day, and spoke about how, nearly two decades after the passing of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA), Congress voted to amend ANCSA to designate ANCs as minority-owned and economically disadvantaged business enterprises. Around this time, Section 8(a) of the Small Business Administration (SBA) Act was changed to provide special consideration for ANCs and federally recognized tribes.  

Participating in the 8(a) program has allowed ANCs and the Federal government to forge a valuable partnership that continues today. The program is often referred to as the “missing link” to ANCSA that has provided an economic engine for ANCs to generate profits that benefit current and future generations of Alaska Native shareholders. The government benefits from ANCs’ industry expertise on 8(a) contracts and creates jobs for local communities, while revenue generated by ANCs through the program benefits thousands of Alaska Native shareholders and their descendants, who often gain educational and employment opportunities from scholarships offered through the ANCs. 

Touching on this history, Buretta discussed how Chugach was one of the first ANCs to begin pursuing Federal government contracts in the 1990s, after minority Federal contracting was opened to ANCs under these modified rules that recognized the unique nature of its shareholders. Fast-forward three decades since Chugach’s first 8(a) contract award, and Federal government contracting is still the cornerstone of Chugach’s business, comprising a large portion of our annual revenue.   

Buretta focused her closing comments on the current challenges and opportunities for ANCs in the Federal government contracting arena. Expressing her pride in the work that Chugach and other ANCs perform for the government (especially the U. S. Armed Forces), she also spoke to how this work could be improved, for Chugach and for the government, with further changes to contracting requirements and guidelines. 

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.
###

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!