Cook Inlet Housing CEO Earns National Recognition

Cook Inlet Housing Authority Executive Director and CIRI shareholder Carol Gore has worked in real estate and finance her entire career. But after a few moments with her, you realize that at the heart of Gore’s work it is not bricks and mortar but people. Her vision is to strengthen families, to build beautiful homes and vibrant communities, and encourage self-sufficiency for Alaska Natives.

Gore’s enthusiasm, award-winning smile and passion for people are contagious. So much so, that people come to her for jobs and employee turn-over is low. In the past four years, she has created an atmosphere of creativity, innovation, and focused results. And the results are impressive.

She has doubled services to Alaska Natives. Strawberry Village’s rent-to-own townhouses for families, Tyonek Terrace’s 40-unit elder complex, and Kenaitze Point’s chateau-like elderly complex in Anchorage are a few of the new projects that have been completed under her leadership.

Her results are gaining national attention. In May, Gore was honored with the prestigious President’s Award by the Pacific Northwest Council, one of eight regional organizations under the National Association of Housing & Redevelopment Officials. The President’s Award is presented annually to an outstanding and innovative leader in affordable housing and community development within the four-state region of Alaska, Idaho, Oregon and Washington. Gore is the first Alaskan to receive this prestigious honor.

“This award means a lot to me,” said Gore, “because it’s coming from my peers – other people who are dedicated to the same cause and doing great things for affordable housing. I’m just glad I’m able to do my part in ensuring that Alaska housing providers have the resources necessary to continue improving housing conditions in Alaska and more importantly the lives of our clients.”

Prior to joining Cook Inlet Housing Authority, Gore served on the CIRI Board of Directors and worked at CIRI for 11 years in the real estate department. She had just completed a major divestiture project for CIRI as vice president of income properties when she was tapped to serve as the Housing Authority’s acting executive director until the board of commissioners found the right leader.

After six months and three searches, the board of commissioners decided that they had the right candidate all along – Carol. “I thought about the job for two months and decided that I had fallen in love with the company and people, and I saw that we could do so much more in the community,” said Gore.

Gore scanned the housing horizon and saw endless possibilities and opportunities. She has no problem admitting when she does not know something and is quick to say, “Why re-create the wheel?” As the new executive director, with minimal experience in affordable public housing projects, she looked around to find the smart people in the housing industry and to learn from them.

She searched for family-focused models, new ideas and good partners who believed in cultural diversity. That led her to join the Pacific Northwest Council of the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials. And, last year, she organized the first-ever housing forum in Anchorage, bringing together builders, developers, finance institutions, and the federal government to learn from the experts and seek new ways of working together.

Nimble is not a word that comes to mind when you think of federal housing programs. In order to meet the needs of its clients, Cook Inlet Housing Authority had to be nimble to navigate the swift river of change and deftly move around the sandbars of federal bureaucracy.
“Change is constant here. Markets change, interest rates change, and clients change. We are always seeking ways to improve. We’ve changed one home loan program three times in four years to better meet our clients’ needs,” Gore said.

Gore’s next project is revitalizing the neighborhood of Mountain View in Anchorage in partnership with the state, municipality, private and community organizations, and a premier builder and designer, John Hagmeier. When asked how she convinced an award-winning house builder and designer to join Cook Inlet Housing Authority to revitalize one of Anchorage’s oldest neighborhoods, Gore smiled, shrugged and said, “Think big and don’t be afraid to ask.”

As a former CIRI executive, she would explain to business partners and investors that they were working for her mother, CIRI shareholder Erna Weldin. Her philosophy has not changed at Cook Inlet Housing Authority. She still believes that she is working for her mother, CIRI shareholders and the Alaska Native community. “My staff and I are making a difference every day,” said Gore.

Carol Gore

Gore has doubled services to Alaska Natives. Strawberry Villages rent-to-own townhouses for families, Tyonek Terrace’s 40-unit elder complex, and Kenaitze Point’s chateau-like elderly complex in Anchorage ... have been completed under her leadership.

Southcentral Foundation Partners with Villages

Healthcare for five Interior villages is getting a lot less complicated. Southcentral Foundation and the Tanana Chiefs Conference villages of McGrath, Takotna, Nikolai, Telida and Medfra, known as MTNT, Inc., signed a self-governance compact and funding agreement to consolidate healthcare services through Southcentral Foundation on May 4 in McGrath.

Tanana Chiefs Conference has transferred funding and responsibility for the health services to Southcentral Foundation, which will oversee administrative and clinical operations related to health services for the Upper Kuskokwim villages.

“Leaders from Southcentral Foundation and Tanana Chiefs Conference consulted with each of the villages and gained support for this transfer of services,” said Katherine Gottlieb, Southcentral Foundation president and chief executive officer. “Southcentral Foundation is committed to working closely with village leadership to create high quality health services that are responsive to the needs and wants of the villages.”

The new arrangement will help overcome challenges to healthcare delivery in the region. Southcentral Foundation will emphasize meeting the intent of community health center funding, which provides services to all members of the community, Gottlieb said. The healthcare services will be managed with the same customer focus that has gained national recognition for Southcentral Foundation’s other programs, she added.

Southcentral Foundation’s vision is a Native community that enjoys physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual wellness. The mission is to work together with the Native community to achieve wellness through health and related services. For additional information, contact program staff at (907) 729-4955 or visit www.southcentralfoundation.org.

Katherine Gottlieb, president and chief executive officer (far right) of Southcentral Foundation attended a celebration in McGrath. Pictured with her are Gavin Carmichael, health finance director for the Tanana Chiefs Conference, and Ann Egrass.

Heritage Gifts Opens in Downtown Anchorage

On June 4, Heritage Gifts, the gift store of the Alaska Native Heritage Center, opened a new downtown location at 333 W. 4th Ave. in the “Village at Ship Creek Center” in Anchorage. The grand opening featured performances by the Alaska Native Heritage Center Dance Group. Native artists Helen Simeonoff and Jerry Lieb, Jr., were available to speak with the public and sign their work; storyteller Jack Dalton also participated.

“Our downtown location will provide even more exposure for Native artists and their work,” Jonathon Ross, president and chief executive officer of the Heritage Center, said. “Visitors will be able to talk with the artists, watch our dancers, purchase Native artwork and catch a free shuttle to the Center. It is an additional means of fulfilling our mission of bringing Alaska Native cultures to everyone.”

Products available in the new store include Alaska Native artwork and crafts, a wide selection of books on cultures, art and children’s topics, videos, CDs, gifts and apparel. Alaska Native artists will be featured and will have the opportunity to demonstrate their work in the store. Visitors to the store will be able to talk with the artists and buy artwork directly from them.

Heritage Gifts opened in downtown Anchorage on June 4.