Board Corner: Getting to Know Chairman Kristel Komakhuk

Date

When shareholders see Kristel Komakhuk leading board meetings as Chairman of The Tatitlek Corporation, they see an experienced leader. What many may not know is that her journey toward leadership started long before she ever joined the board.

Raised by her mother, Trudi Totemoff, Kristel grew up watching what it meant to work hard and serve your community. When her mom worked for Chugach Alaska Corporation, Kristel often spent weekends helping prepare for board meetings and babysitting at annual meetings. Those experiences gave her an early look at leadership, responsibility, and the importance of representing shareholders.

“Some of my earliest memories are helping my mom prep board books and annual meeting material. At the time, I didn’t realize I was learning lessons about leadership and service that would stay with me throughout my life.”


Born and raised in Anchorage, Kristel’s maternal family is from Tatitlek and her paternal family is from the Nome area. Her maternal grandparents are Miranda Barnes and Mike Totemoff.

Like many shareholders, Kristel’s path was not always easy. As a single mother raising her son Alex, she balanced family, education, and career while building a future for herself and her family.

Through hard work and determination, she became the first college graduate on both sides of her family, earning a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Alaska Anchorage.

Kristel was elected to The Tatitlek Corporation Board of Directors in 2009 and became Chairman in 2018. Today, she also serves as a Trustee for the Copper Mountain Foundation and Tatitlek Settlement Trust while continuing to advocate for opportunities that benefit shareholders and future generations.

For Kristel, serving as Chairman is more than a title. It is an opportunity to honor those who came before her, her family and the many Tatitlek leaders who helped build a foundation for future generations.

“Every decision we make today should help create opportunities for future generations. I want our shareholders and their families to have access to the resources, programs, and opportunities that help them succeed and stay connected to our heritage.”

And for shareholders who may be wondering who sits at the head of the board table, the answer is simple: one of our own. A daughter, a mother, a shareholder, and a leader whose story reflects the resilience and determination found throughout our community since time immemorial.

More
articles

MARCI CORNELL, SHAREHOLDER SERVICES MANAGER (2026 - Present)

Marci serves as Shareholder Services Manager and is committed to supporting shareholders and their families through responsive service, respectful communication, and meaningful engagement. She is passionate about strengthening connections between shareholders and the Corporation while helping ensure shareholders receive timely support.

Marci brings more than 20 years of experience leading programs, managing complex operations, and building relationships across Alaska and beyond. Prior roles include Project Manager, Logistics Manager, and Village Liaison, which includes working closely with remote Alaska Native Villages to support communication, coordination, and community engagement. She also served as Program Manager at ConocoPhillips Alaska and held positions with Alyeska Pipeline Service Company and the City of Valdez with the Port and Harbor Department.

Having lived in Alaska for more than 40 years, Marci grew up in Valdez, just across Prince William Sound from the Village of Tatitlek, and has spent many years fishing throughout the Sound and the Gulf of Alaska. She holds a Master of Arts in Alaska Native and Rural Development from the University of Alaska Fairbanks and a Bachelor of Arts in History from the University of Washington.

ISABEL LEMUS, SHAREHOLDER SERVICES INTERN (2025 - Present)

As Shareholder Services Intern, Isabel assists with shareholder needs and requests, supports event planning and implementation, and helps manage files in the shareholder database. Isabel is excited to continue learning, growing, and strengthening her connection to her heritage and the Tatitlek shareholder community through her internship experience.

Her favorite traditional food is salmon, and she grew up eating it prepared in many ways. Outside of work and school, she enjoys traveling and remains actively involved in the basketball community.

  • Isabel is a Copper Mountain Foundation scholarship recipient

  • She is pursuing a major in communications and a minor in psychology at the University of Alaska Anchorage

MICHAEL LANE KOMPKOFF, SECRETARY (2025-Present)

As Secretary, Michael oversees board administration and governance for The Tatitlek Corporation’s Board of Directors. He is the son of the late Michael “Jug” Kompkoff and spent his summers fishing with his father in Prince William Sound—experiences that instilled in him the values of hard work, dependability, and service to community.

Michael also draws on inspiration from his late grandfather, Carroll Kompkoff, former President of The Tatitlek Corporation, whose leadership was rooted in integrity and vision for protecting the community’s future, and from his uncle, the late Gary Kompkoff, Chief of Tatitlek, who emphasized pride in Alutiiq heritage and the importance of preserving culture, community, and subsistence rights. Michael is passionate about carrying forward family values, supporting shareholder opportunities and businesses, and honoring the traditions of Tatitlek.

  • Copper Mountain Foundation – Treasurer
  • TCC Oil Spill Response Team – Former member

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
(2016 - 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)

Rami works as Shareholder Services Manager. Rami is dedicated to supporting shareholders ensuring their records are accurate, up to date, and handled with care and respect. In addition to this job, 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 Tribal Administrator at the Tatitlek IRA Council, Information Technology Helpdesk Support at TTC and Cultural Resources Coordinator 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 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, PRESIDENT (2018 - Present)

Dick Hobbs has over 30 years of federal contracting and private sector experience and serves as President of TTC. In this role, he is responsible for the corporation’s strategic priorities and outcomes as outlined by the TTC Board of Directors. Prior to this role, Dick served as TTC’s Executive Vice President, responsible for day-to-day operations and business development efforts.  Before joining the Executive Management Team at TTC in 2018, Dick held leadership positions as the President and CEO of Afognak Native Corporation and Alutiiq, LLC.  Dick and his wife of 36 years, Andy, have four adult sons and four grandchildren.

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, CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER (2015 - Present)

Dean Clowers is a 40-year federal-contracting veteran and serves as the TTC Chief Operating Officer. In this role, he is responsible for implementing the corporation’s strategic priorities and desired outcomes as directed by the TTC President. These desired outcomes stress the importance of positioning the corporation for future success through growth, stability, and diversity as outlined by the Board of Directors. Prior to serving in this capacity, Dean served as the TTC President from 2016 through the spring of 2026. Before joining TTC in 2015, 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, VICE PRESIDENT (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