| As a shareholder and a board member, I was proud of our special distribution this last year. It signaled two important events: First that CIRI is now in the ranks of large corporations with substantial assets and investments that need to be taken seriously. Second, that the promise of ANCSA has been filled, in my judgment, not just by cashing in on our natural resources, but by the hard work of our executives who made shareholder money the old fashioned way they earned it for us.
As a result, we need a board of directors who can deal with the complexities of our many investments, and make decisions for your corporation. We cannot afford to elect board members who, while well intentioned, would not be among those best qualified to deal with your investment.
|
 |
| Our current board slate represents, in my opinion, an excellent cross-section of the board. We have an original board member, Gosta Dagg, who was personally responsible for enrolling many of our shareholders who were adopted by other families outside Alaska. We have a former legislator and Anchorage chief of police, Charles Anderson. Michael Boling, an attorney whose specialty is in the real estate area, can be helpful to the board in setting direction for some of our complex land issues. Even our youngest board member, Ron Perry, has a successful business in Anchorage. I am also on the board slate this year, and have appreciated the opportunity to
serve CIRI both as a board member and now as chairman.
CIRI has a bright future, and I would encourage every shareholder to vote. We are no longer a struggling small company trying to find our way. Throughout the years CIRI has had many critics within and outside our corporation. In spite of this, CIRI, more than any other Alaska Native regional corporation, in my opinion, has answered the promise of ANCSA. We need qualified board members to guide our inheritance and investment
into the future. |
