A Look at Those who have Led CIRI to Success
CIRI's strong foundation has been built and reinforced by its leaders. The following is a brief look at the four presidents who have led CIRI to be the successful corporation it is today.

George Miller, Jr.
George Miller, Jr. was the first president of CIRI in 1972. In that capacity, Miller received the first funds distributed to the corporation by the U.S. Department of Interior under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act. He stepped aside in 1973 and returned to his home community of Kenai to serve as president of the Kenai Natives Association, the corporation created under ANCSA to represent the Native people of Kenai. He held that position until 1986.

Roy Huhndorf, former CIRI president and former CIRI chairman, believes Miller's most significant contribution to CIRI may have come before the passage of ANCSA when Miller lobbied for an equal share in the settlement for urban Natives of the Cook Inlet region.

"There was a lot of argument that people living here were not Indians anymore and that they were integrated into Western society. So why would you recognize them?" Huhndorf said. "George had a fiery and forceful personality and without that personality I don't think this region would have fared as well."

Miller was born May 26, 1919, near Kenai and died Oct. 23, 1996, in Soldotna.

Ralph Andrew "Andy" Johnson
Ralph Andrew "Andy" Johnson was elected the second president of CIRI in 1973. During his tenure, Johnson worked two days a week at CIRI while still employed by Chugach Electric Association. While president, Johnson was instrumental in beginning to shape CIRI into a business corporation. He also was instrumental in beginning negotiations with the state and federal governments for CIRI land entitlements. His professional career also included 20 years as an electrical engineer for Chugach Electric as well as a variety of other engineering positions.

In addition to his involvement with CIRI, Johnson was a past president of the Salamatof Native Association, Inc., the village corporation created under ANCSA, and he was active in promoting subsistence rights and sovereignty for Alaska Natives.

Johnson was born in St. Michael in western Alaska on Sept. 1, 1914, and died May 3, 1992, in Seattle, Wash.

Roy M. Huhndorf
Roy M. Huhndorf was elected CIRI's third president in 1975, and he served in that position until 1995. He served as chairman of the CIRI board from 1996 to 1998, when he was named chairman emeritus.

Under Huhndorf's leadership, CIRI's assets grew from $34 million to $600 million, making CIRI one of Alaska's largest companies, with investments throughout the United States in real estate, tourism and telecommunications. These investments have provided quarterly dividends to CIRI shareholders since 1980, as well as employment opportunities, scholarships and other social enhancement benefits. Educational services to shareholders were enhanced through the establishment of The CIRI Foundation in 1982, which today has an endowment of more than $44 million.

Huhndorf became a statewide leader during his tenure at the helm of CIRI and has received numerous honors. Besides bringing CIRI into the forefront as a leading business in Alaska and nationally, Huhndorf's vision led to the creation of the Alaska Native Justice Center, the Alaska Native Heritage Center, Koahnic Broadcast Corp. and other entities serving all Alaska Natives and non-Natives as well.

Huhndorf, a Yup'ik Eskimo, was born May 5, 1940, in the Alaska Interior village of Nulato. He lived in the village until his family moved to Anchorage when he was in high school.

Carl H. Marrs
Carl H. Marrs, current president and chief executive officer of CIRI, was elected CIRI's fourth president in 1995.

Marrs began his career with CIRI in 1973. Under his leadership, CIRI has experienced significant growth, and since he became president CIRI's assets have grown from $600 million to $1.2 billion. With extensive experience in the company in many areas, Marrs has grown with CIRI and uses the knowledge he has gained in making critical decisions about future directions. He is committed to keeping shareholders informed and has significantly broadened outreach efforts with a major emphasis on education.

Under Marrs' leadership, a special distribution of $314 million was made to CIRI shareholders in 2000, followed by a distribution of $94.3 million in 2001. Marrs has also focused a great deal of his energy on making sure CIRI contributes substantially to the Alaska Native community, as well as to Anchorage and Alaska as a whole. Under Marrs, CIRI has become a philanthropic leader in Alaska.

Marrs has received numerous honors and awards. He was the recipient of the 2001 William A. Egan Outstanding Alaskan Award from the Alaska State Chamber of Commerce, and he was named the Alaska Federation of Natives Citizen of the Year in October.

Marrs has also become a statewide leader, serving in many capacities ranging from heading up the United Way campaign for Anchorage in 1999 to serving on the Governor's Subsistence Leadership Summit. He has encouraged the development of the Association of ANCSA Regional Corporation Presidents/CEOs and serves as its president.