Author: Michael Levshakof

Chugach Stands Together (Virtually) For AKFRW

With the COVID-19 shutdowns and the need to social distance, assembling people together for a group photo was simply not possible. In addition, the race that draws huge crowds to Anchorage’s Mulcahy Stadium had to go virtual, i.e., team members ran separate races in separate locations. The race went on, but in a socially distanced fashion, so sadly, the in-person coming together of our team didn’t happen.

While we couldn’t stand together like we have in years past, that didn’t stop the Chugach Team from uniting together to raise nearly $12,400 for the AKRFW, the highest team total for this year’s race. Additionally, Chugach is proud to report that 192 people – employees, family, friends and business partners – joined our team, and that also set a record for the largest team to raise funds for this year’s race.

Chugach employees live by five Core Behaviors that guide everything we do:

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

Chugach’s annual AKRFW campaign is a clear demonstration that our Core Behaviors are alive and well. Making a donation to defeat cancer is, by and far, the right thing to do. Donating to a worthy cause is so very meaningful. This campaign is employee driven, meaning that our employees are empowered on their own accord to take a stand against cancer. Our employees make a difference in the communities where they live and work, and making AKRFW donations builds our community for the common good. Finally, someday soon, a cure for cancer will be found, and donations made to the AKFRW will have contributed to that historic day, and that’s how you leave things better than you found them – one donation at a time.

Tammy Morton, co-captain of Chugach’s AKRFW Team, expressed her gratitude to all who took part this year and in years past. “A huge thank you to our team! For the last five years, we have fielded the largest AKRFW teams, AND we’ve raised the most donations in that same time period! In total, Chugach has raised almost $88,000 for the AKRFW! Thank you for your support. Each of you are true champions in the fight against breast cancer and your efforts make the AKRFW the success that it has become!”

Chugach Employee & His Family Sew Masks For Community

Glenn and Kimberly Potter, and their son Seth are taking part in a vital national trend. “We are making masks in house and have bigger goals to coordinate local efforts to make and distribute masks to organizations in need and health care facilities,” Glenn Potter said. “My wife Kimberly works in the medical field and because of the shortage of supplies, we are doing what we can to support those who are in dire need—medical professionals, first responders, and even those who are ill.”

The Potters are going beyond the mere utility of medical masks—a protective barrier that stands between the wearer and harmful air particles, including the coronavirus—to tailoring their masks in a way that is reducing the fear. “Our masks are made by hand and sewing machine with love, using patterns that promote smiles and hope (and protection).” Glenn went on to describe the durability of their handcrafted masks, though he touched on a caution. “Our masks are washable, and the filter is removable. As with anything used in healthcare, there are specific guidelines and safety measures that need to be followed. Masks appropriate for individual use may not be appropriate for hospital-wide use.”

Glenn was quick to take the spotlight off of himself and point to the group effort the Potters have undertaken and why it is so important. “It’s a Family effort, and my wife is a nurse, and I have to give her most of the credit,” Glenn said. “I just perform the supply, logistics, and quality control part. Our son Seth is a senor this year. He’s helping while he watches his prom and graduation and the last days of his school evaporate. The world completely changed a couple of weeks ago. The first responders are the boots on the ground, and they are the heroes we are supporting.”

Glenn Potter works for Wolf Creek Federal Range Operations Support, a subsidiary of Chugach Government Solutions (CGS). Glenn serves as Healthy, Safety, Environment & Quality Control Manager at Patrick Air Force Base in Florida. Chugach Alaska Corporation is proud of the role Glenn plays in CGS’s mission to support the United States Military, and we’re even more proud of the way he, his wife and his son have stepped up to do their part to end the COVID-19 crisis.

We will make to the other side of everything that COVID-19 puts before us, but it will take people like the Potters to make that happen. “It’s in times like these when helping and gratitude will become more important than ever,” Glenn concluded. “Make no mistake, in the weeks to come, we will need ten times our current discipline to stay focused and productive. When you find yourself struggling through times of uncertainty, like we all are right now, you have a choice to make. Will you be a victim or will you do something to improve the situation?”

Glenn, Kimberly and Seth have made their choice. Please join us in thanking them.

Chugach Supports Strengthening 8(a) Contracting in NDAA

The FY 2020 NDAA includes Section 823 (see below for details), which promotes the abilities of ANCs to continue to meet their Congressional mandate: operate as for-profit corporations that return monetary and non-monetary benefits to their Alaska Native shareholders. This provision would mitigate the damaging effects that Section 811 has had on the ability of Native contractors to compete with larger contractors on sole-source contracts with values in excess of $22 million (inflation adjusted from $20 million).

“We’re grateful to Senator Sullivan for his unwavering support and leadership on issues critical to the Alaska Native community,” said Interim President and CEO; and Chairman of the Board Sheri Buretta. “The SBA’s 8(a) business development program is the missing link to the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) in that it provides an economic engine for ANCs to generate profits that benefit an entire community of Alaska Native shareholders. Beyond that, the Alaska Congressional Delegation and their staff understand that the success of ANCs echoes beyond our Alaska Native shareholders to help create jobs, inject capital and help strengthen the state’s economy. We thank Congressman Young for passing this provision in the House, as well as Senator Inhofe and his staff for their help in getting this important provision adopted.”

Like the majority of ANCs in government contracting, Chugach has experienced challenges over the past several years in securing federal contract awards as a direct result of attacks on the 8(a) program and resulting regulatory changes. Specifically, the stigma of language from section 811 has led to a significant decrease in awards to ANCs. These attacks are indicative of the ongoing misperceptions and lack of understanding surrounding ANCs and their participation in federal government 8(a) contracting.

Through opportunities created by the program, Chugach provides its 2,600 Alaska Native shareholders (an economically disadvantaged group) with countless benefits that would not otherwise exist.

These shareholder programs are an important focus of the business development model required by the ANCSA originally enacted in 1971. When Congress expanded the SBA’s 8(a) program to include community-based organizations and authorized businesses owned by ANCs, they understood that these Native enterprises benefit more than one individual or family. The profits of ANCs like Chugach benefit thousands of Alaska Natives through dividends, educational programs, scholarships and other programs.

The passage of the FY 2020 NDAA highlights the federal government’s confidence in the value ANCs bring to the federal government through contracting, while simultaneously recognizing the long-term impacts on current and future generations of Alaska Native people.

For more information, please contact Randi Jo Gause at (907) 261-0348.

About the Provision:

Senator Sullivan’s provision – Section 823 – requires the Department of Defense to remove overly burdensome restrictions first enacted in late 2009, which applied to only to Native 8(a) contractors.  Specifically, this language reduces the administrative burden and lowers the disproportionately high level of approval authority for small-to-medium-sized sole-source contracts – $100 million and below – awarded to Native 8(a) contractors.  This language – which Senator Sullivan included in the markup of the FY2020 NDAA – also positively impacts contracts above $100 million by delegating the approval for these contracts to the head of the procuring activity, or their designee.

Moreover, this provision, which applies to tribes, and Alaska Native and Hawaiian firms, helps ensure that DOD contracting officers have additional tools they need to quickly and efficiently procure products and services when the need arises. As the 2018 National Defense Strategy explicitly states, “Current processes are not responsive to need; the Department is over-optimized for exceptional performance at the expense of providing timely decision… We must not accept cumbersome approval chains… Delivering performance means we will shed outdated management practices and structures while integrating insights from business innovation.”

About Chugach Alaska Corporation:
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 2,600 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.

Contact: Randi Jo Gause, Director of Business Innovation & Communications
(907) 261-0348 (w)
(907) 301-8886 (c)
randi.gause@chugach.com

Chugach Board Announces CEO Transition

Kompkoff served on Chugach’s Board of Directors from 2010 through 2011, before joining the company in 2012 as the leader of the commercial division, Chugach Commercial Holdings LLC. Soon after, he was appointed by the Board as Chugach’s President and CEO from 2012 to 2017.

“The Board thanks Gabe for nearly a decade of service and leadership in building the business, and wishes him well in his next endeavor,” said Buretta. “His passion for the Chugach mission helped advance the Board’s vision to diversify our portfolio. We’re all tremendously grateful that Gabe dedicated himself to helping steward Chugach through these critical years.”

Kompkoff said, “It has been a great honor to build and lead this great company on behalf of the shareholder community, and I look forward to seeing the corporation continue to grow and thrive under its next evolution in leadership.”

For more information, please contact Randi Jo Gause at (907) 261-0348.

About Chugach Alaska Corporation:
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 2,500 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.

Contact: Randi Jo Gause,
Director of Business Innovation & Communications
(907) 261-0348 (w)
(907) 301-8886 (c)
randi.gause@chugach.com