2023 Cultural Heritage Week

Date

The Peksulineq Festival is an annual event that celebrates the rich and diverse culture of the Tatitlek People, who are one of eight Alutiiq tribes in Alaska. The festival was held May 8 to May 13, 2023, in Tatitlek Village. The festival attracted 75 participants and over 30 volunteers, who came from different communities and backgrounds to learn and share the Alutiiq heritage.

The festival offered participants a variety of cultural classes that included beading, fur sewing, kuspuk making, traditional food preparation and much more. Through these classes, the participants not only learned the art and skills of their ancestors, but also the guiding principles that shape their worldview, such as patience, respect for elders, gratitude, generosity and cooperation. The classes were taught by experienced and knowledgeable traditional instructors, who passed on their wisdom and stories to the next generation.

To honor and show appreciation for instructor dedication and contributions, two instructors were selected as “Instructor of the Year”. They were Heather Haase and Kimber Geffe, who taught kuspuk making classes and traditional food culinary arts, respectively. They were recognized for their excellence in teaching and inspiring their students with their passion and creativity.

Similarly, two students were chosen as “Students of the Year,” for their outstanding performance and attitude during classes. They were Samantha Eleshansky and Jubal Parry. They demonstrated respect and dedication to their projects, as well as the principles taught by their instructors. They also showed enthusiasm and curiosity in learning more about their culture and history.

The Peksulineq Festival was a successful and memorable event that brought together people from different walks of life to celebrate and preserve Tatitlek culture. The festival was not only a learning opportunity, but also a fun and enjoyable experience for everyone involved. The festival organizers thanked all the participants, volunteers, instructors, sponsors and supporters for making the festival possible. They also invited everyone to join them again next year for another Peksulineq Festival.

 

Click here to view more photos of 2023 Cultural Heritage Week.

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ROBERT C. (CHRIS) VIRAMONTES, P.E.,
VICE PRESIDENT OF OPERATIONS
(2016 - Present)

Chris Viramontes oversees subsidiary business activities and service execution in coordination with general managers with intent to achieve maximum profit and growth. Chris has more than two decades of senior management experience in federal contracting. His prior roles include Vice President, Base Operations Support Services at Chugach Government Solutions, LLC, and he is a retired U.S. Air Force Civil Engineering Officer who held a variety of positions in facility operations and maintenance, engineering and construction, and environmental management.

PAUL FONDREN,
VICE PRESIDENT OF OPERATIONS
(2023 - Present)

Paul Fondren, DBA, PMP leads multiple subsidiary general managers in the execution of a diverse portfolio of federal contracts. In this role, Dr. Fondren drives operational excellence, implements processes and systems to optimize efficiency, and maximizes the firm’s potential as it continues to grow. Dr. Fondren brings over 25 years of military and industry experience with 14 of those years specifically and proudly serving Alaska Native Corporations.

MARK WAMSHER,
VICE PRESIDENT OF BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
(2016 - Present)

Mark Wamsher shapes TTC’s global business development endeavors and resources, strengthening the company’s position within the defense industry. With two decades of experience in federal contracting, Mark brings a wealth of experience growing small businesses. Before joining The Tatitlek Corporation, Mark was a Strategic Support Manager at Afognak Native Corporation and Alutiiq LLC.

CANDACE TOTEMOFF HENDRICKSON, SHAREHOLDER SERVICES MANAGER (2023 - Present)

Candace (Candy) Totemoff Hendrickson is currently the Shareholder Services Manager, joining the TTC team in June 2023. Throughout her professional career, Candy has gained versatile experience working with various Alaska Native Corporations, boards, committees, shareholders, management and employees.

  • Prior experience includes liaisons for the board and Small Business Administration at Ouzinkie Native Corporation
  • Candy has also worked various roles at Southcentral Foundation Dental, Koniag Education Foundation, Chugach Alaska Corporation, and The Tatitlek Corporation on the contracts team
  • Candy currently serves as a Board of Director for King Cove Holdings and King Cove Corporation

RAMI PAULSON, SHAREHOLDER SERVICES MANAGER (2018 - Present)

Currently based out of The Tatitlek Corporation’s office in Anchorage, AK, Rami works as Shareholder Services Manager. She works closely with the Tatitlek Village IRA Council to bridge connections and align goals with TTC to support the Tatitlek Village community.

  • Prior roles include Information Technology Helpdesk Support at TTC and Cultural Resources
  • Apprentice for Chugach Alaska Corporation
  • Rami is a Copper Mountain Foundation scholarship recipient and holds a Bachelor of Applied Science in Computer Information Systems and Associates of Applied Science in Computer Science from the University of Alaska Anchorage
  • She also has a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Information Systems from Wayland Baptist University

ANGELA TOTEMOFF, VICE PRESIDENT OF COMMUNITY AND SHAREHOLDER RELATIONS (2011 - Present)

Angela Totemoff is Vice President of Community and Shareholder Relations and the President of the Copper Mountain Foundation. As an active member in the community, she was born and raised in the Native Village of Tatitlek and currently lives in Anchorage, AK with her husband and two daughters.

  • She has worked for The Tatitlek Corporation in several capacities, beginning as a participant in the Shareholder Management Development Program in 2011, then as a Contracts Administrator in 2013
  • Other past experience includes working for Chenega Corporation as a Risk Management Specialist and a Management Intern
 
Prominent leadership roles with the community and Alaska Native organizations include:
  • Alaska Federation of Natives – Board Member, 2018 to Present
  • Prince William Sound Regional Citizen’s Advisory Council, 2014 to Present
  • Prince William Sound Aquaculture Corporation – Board Member, 2021 to Present
  • Federal Subsistence Management Program Southcentral Alaska Subsistence Regional Advisory Council – Member, 2020 to Present
  • ROSSIA – Board Member, 2014 to 2023
  • Alaska Business Magazine Top 40 Under 40 – Recipient, 2018
  • Registered Alutiiq Artist with the Alutiiq Museum
  • She holds a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science from the University of Alaska Fairbanks, and a master’s degree in Business Administration in Information and Communication Technology from Alaska Pacific University, and a master’s degree in Project Management from the University of Alaska Anchorage.

DICK HOBBS, EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT (2018 - Present)

Dick Hobbs is a seasoned professional spearheading business development and new contract pursuits, overseeing day-to-day business operations, and ensuring the stringent adherence to quality control, safety, and compliance standards for all federally contracted projects. With an extensive career spanning over 25 years in federal contracting, his expertise is deeply rooted in the industry. Before assuming his current role at The Tatitlek Corporation, Dick held significant leadership positions as the President and CEO at both Afognak Native Corporation and Alutiiq LLC. His prior experience underscores his proven track record and comprehensive understanding of the complexities within the realm of federal contracting and executive leadership.

NICOLE CHRISTOPHERSON, SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT OF FINANCE (2009 - Present)

Nicole Christopherson joined The Tatitlek Corporation as the Assistant Controller and in 2015 she became the Director of Accounting for TTC. In August 2021 she was appointed as Senior Vice President of Finance. Nicole is responsible for the Company’s financial and business standing in relation to investments, transactions and operations. She has two decades of corporate accounting, tax and audit experience and she received her CPA license in 2000. Nicole’s prior experience includes roles with KPMG, LLP and Arctic Slope Regional Corporation.

ROBERT BRIDGES, GENERAL COUNSEL
(2015 - Present)

Robert Bridges oversees legal, compliance and related business operations for The Tatitlek Corporation. He has more than 25 years of experience managing business operations and risk. Previously, he served as the Associate General Counsel of Altisource (NASDAQ: ASPS) and as the Senior Vice President and General Counsel of Williams & Williams, where he led management of the Alaska real estate portfolio for many national banks.

PATTY MILLER, SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT OF ADMINISTRATION (2021 - Present)

Patty Miller leads The Tatitlek Corporation’s Human Resources, Information Technology and Administration functions. She brings more than 20 years of senior management experience with an emphasis in federal contracting. Prior to joining TTC, Patty previously served as Senior Vice President at First National Bank Alaska and Senior Management at Afognak Native Corporation and Alutiiq LLC.

DEAN CLOWERS, PRESIDENT (2015 - Present)

Dean Clowers is a 35-year federal-contracting veteran, and serves as the TTC President. In this role he is responsible for executing the corporation’s strategic priorities and desired outcomes as outlined by the TTC Board of Directors. These desired outcomes stress the importance of positioning the corporation for future success through growth, stability, and diversity. Prior to joining TTC, Dean previously served as the Vice President of Operations for Chugach Alaska Corporation and the Executive Vice President for Afognak Native Corporation and Alutiiq LLC.

NANCI LEE ROBART, DIRECTOR (2018 - Present)

As the daughter of the late Tatitlek Village Chief Gary Kompkoff, Nanci brings a unique perspective to the board due to her deep roots and many close ties to the Native Village of Tatitlek. Nanci is the current President of the Tatitlek Village IRA Council and serves as a vital liaison between TTC and Tatitlek Village. Armed with her traditional knowledge, Nanci strives to lead with integrity, develop her team, serve and protect her community, and develop trust and show respect for all tribal members.

  • Tatitlek Village IRA Council – President
  • Chugach Regional Resources Commission – Board Director
  • North Pacific Rim Housing Authority – Board Member
  • Chugach School District – Board Member
  • Chugachmiut – Board Member

SHERI BURETTA, TREASURER
(2005 - present)

As a steadfast advocate for Alaska Native self-determination, Sheri has been The Tatitlek Corporation’s Board Treasurer since 2005. She grew up in the Native Village of Tatitlek and is a prominent member of the Alaska business and Alaska Native organization communities. She graduated from University of Alaska Anchorage with a degree in accounting and from Gulf Coast Community College in Florida with a business degree. Sheri has been employed by Chugach Alaska Corporation since 1998 and serves as CAC’s Board Chair and Director.

  • Copper Mountain Foundation and the Tatitlek Settlement Trust – Chairman
  • Lead for TTC’s Finance Committee
  • Sits on the boards of various company subsidiaries

Prominent leadership roles with the community and Alaska Native organizations include:

  • Alaska Federation of Natives – Director, 1997 to Present
  • Native American Contractors Association – Director, 2015 to Present
  • Silver Salmon Creek Leadership Institute – Board Member
  • University of Alaska – Board of Regents, 2015 to 2023
  • Prince William Sound Regional Citizens Advisory Council
  • ANCSA Regional Association – Director, 1999 to Present, President, 2004 to 2008
  • Alaskans Standing Together Director
  • Russian Orthodox Sacred Sites in Alaska, Inc. – President, 2002 to Present
  • Foraker Group Governance Board- Director, 2007 to 2014
  • Exxon Valdez Oil Spill Public Advisory Group, 1996 to 2000
  • United Way Fundraising Campaign – Native Corporation Co-Chair
  • Anchorage Economic Development Corporation – Board Member
  • Alaska Business Hall of Fame though Junior Achievement Alaska
  • Anchorage Athena Society – Recipient of Athena Society Leadership Award
  • YWCA Women of Achievement and Alaska Journal of Commerce Achievement in Business Awards – Recipient

KEN VLASOFF, VICE PRESIDENT (1995 - Present)

Born and raised in the Native Village of Tatitlek, Ken has provided strategic governance on TTC’s board since 1995. As a retired fisherman of 45 seasons on Prince William Sound and the Copper River Delta, and strong steward of Tatitlek lands and traditional subsistence practices, Ken is a recognized authority on traditional Alutiiq knowledge. Ken remains active in the community of the Native Village of Tatitlek and church.

  • Copper Mountain Foundation and Tatitlek Settlement Trust – Director
  • Previously served on The Native Village of Tatitlek Governing Council for more than half a decade
  • Holds certifications in commercial maritime and heavy equipment operation and formal training in commercial refrigeration from American Institute in Chicago, IL
  • Chair of TTC’s Lands Committee and sits on the boards of various company subsidiaries

ROY TOTEMOFF, CEO (2006 - Present)

As Chief Executive Officer, Roy leads in managing the operations, people and resources of The Tatitlek Corporation. Roy was elected to the board in 1992 and became CEO in 2006. Prior to his leadership at TTC, Roy was Vice President of the Tatitlek Village IRA Council and was the owner and operator of a successful commercial fishing boat operation based in Prince William Sound. He also has prior training as a tribal court judge and was a manager for maintenance for North Pacific Rim Housing Authority.

  • Copper Mountain Foundation – Trustee
  • Prince William Sound Economic Development Council – Board member, representing The Tatitlek Corporation and the Tatitlek Village IRA Council
  • Sits on all boards of The Tatitlek Corporation’s subsidiary companies

kRISTEL KOMAKHUK, CHAIRMAN (2018 - Present)

With more than a decade on The Tatitlek Corporation’s board of directors, Kristel was voted to the board in 2009 and became Chairman in 2018. Her maternal family is from the Native Village of Tatitlek and her paternal family is from the Nome, AK area. She was born and raised in Anchorage, AK and has a son, Alex and dog, Henry. She is honored to serve TTC shareholders in this capacity and strives to contribute positive, meaningful impacts to the corporation so future generations will have the opportunity to benefit.

  • Copper Mountain Foundation and the Tatitlek Settlement Trust – Trustee
  • Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium’s Alaska Pacific University – Senior Liaison for Development and External Relationships
  • Alaska Journal of Commerce’s – Top Forty Under 40 recipient
  • Holds a Bachelor of Business Administration with an emphasis in Marketing from the University of Alaska Anchorage
  • Prior experience includes Development Director at First Alaskans Institute and stakeholder management at an oil and gas company
  • Sits on all boards of The Tatitlek Corporation’s subsidiary companies