ARA Board of Directors Elects New Officers
Recognizes 25 years in service to Alaska Native shareholders
The ANCSA Regional Association (ARA) Board of Directors is pleased to announce it recently elected a new slate of Board Officers. These Alaska Native leaders will advance ARA’s work on behalf of the more than 160,000 Alaska Native shareholders represented by our 12 regional corporations.
“While celebrating our 25th anniversary in 2023, it is important to take stock of where we’ve been, where we are and where we’re headed,” said ARA President Kim Reitmeier. “The commitment of previous board members inspires those who have these seats today. I know the existing board and officers are excited for the new challenges ahead and to continue the legacy of advocating for Alaska Native people and our state.”
Shauna Hegna, ARA Chair — Shauna Hegna serves as president of Koniag. Prior to joining Koniag in 2016, she was the chief administrative officer for the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium and the vice president of Shareholder Services for Afognak Native Corporation.
Shauna holds a bachelor’s and a master’s degree from the University of Alaska and a graduate certificate from Alaska Pacific University.
Shauna is a shareholder of Koniag and Afognak Native Corporation and a tribal citizen of the Native Village of Port Lions. She previously served as ARA Vice Chair.
Aaron Schutt, ARA Vice Chair — As president and CEO of Doyon, Limited, Aaron M. Schutt is responsible for managing the day-to-day business operations of the Doyon Family of Companies. Aaron has a Bachelor of Science in civil engineering from Washington State University, graduating with honors and as an S. Town Stephenson scholar. He earned a Master of Science in civil engineering from Stanford University and his juris doctorate from Stanford Law School.
Aaron is a Koyukon Athabascan and an enrolled tribal member of the Native Village of Tanana. Aaron is a past ARA Board Chair returning to the executive committee.
Skoey Vergen, ARA Treasurer — Skoey Vergen serves as the president & CEO of The Aleut Corporation (TAC). In this role, he oversees day-to-day business operations and manages long-term growth strategies for the Aleut family of companies. Skoey is also responsible for ensuring that the Aleut enterprise as a whole is fulfilling TAC’s mission of maximizing dividends and opportunities for shareholders.
Skoey is an original Aleut shareholder, a shareholder of the Akutan and Shumagin village corporations, and a member of the Qagan Tayagungin Tribe of Sand Point.
Andrew Guy, ARA Secretary — Andrew Guy has served as president and CEO of Calista Corporation since 2010. He was promoted to this position 26 years after joining Calista as an intern. Andrew holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Alaska Fairbanks and a juris doctorate from the University of Colorado School of Law.
He is a shareholder of Calista Corporation and Napaskiak, Inc. and a tribal member of the Native Village of Napaskiak. Andrew was born and raised in Napaskiak where his extended family continues to live. He grew up speaking Yup’ik as his first language and English as his second.
Recognizing dedicated service
The ARA board and staff congratulate outgoing ARA Board Chair and CIRI President and CEO Sophie Minich on her December retirement from CIRI. Sophie served with distinction through an incredible 30-year career with her corporation. A shareholder of CIRI, Doyon, and the Gwitchyaa Zhee Corporation, Sophie joined CIRI in 1993 and has served in numerous leadership roles. Under her leadership, CIRI championed efforts to preserve and revitalize Alaska Native culture while supporting and growing benefits for current and future generations of CIRI shareholders.
We also want to thank outgoing ARA Treasurer and Sealaska President and CEO Anthony Mallott, who is departing Sealaska December 31, for his service to the ARA Board of Directors. We know he will continue his untiring work advocating for Alaska Native people. In nearly 10 years as president and CEO, Anthony led a transformation at Sealaska that has led to the corporation’s growth and meaningful investments in the future of the region.
“I am incredibly grateful to call Sophie and Anthony colleagues and friends for so many years. They share a commitment to Alaska Native people, our communities and Alaska. They will be deeply missed,” said ARA President Kim Reitmeier. “I wish Sophie and Anthony nothing but the best and I can’t wait to follow each of their new adventures.”
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About the ANCSA Regional Association (ARA): ARA represents the presidents and chief executive officers of the twelve land-based Alaska Native regional corporations that were created pursuant to the passage of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act of 1971. ARA’s member corporations are owned by more than 160,000 Alaska Native shareholders. Its purpose is to promote and foster the continued growth and economic strength of Alaska Native corporations on behalf of Alaska Native shareholders, descendants, and communities.
