In selecting the Board-recommended candidates, the CIRI Board looks for demonstrated decision-making, leadership experience and communication skills, a strong understanding of business and basic financial knowledge, a college degree or equivalent business experience and relevant industry experience in one or more of CIRI’s primary business segments. Familiarity with the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act and involvement in the Alaska Native/American Indian community are essential, and applicants are expected to exhibit professionalism, sound judgment, equanimity and integrity. After a thorough and careful review, the individuals below were selected for their commitment to CIRI’s long-term viability, and because they have the experience and ideals that best match CIRI’s short-term and long-term investment strategies and goals. Please take a few moments to read the biographies of each of the Board-recommended candidates, including in-depth histories of their professional and civic involvement and personal statements to support their candidacies.
MARGARET L. BROWN
Yup’ik
I am the daughter of Benjamin and Berntina Twitchell, both born and raised along the banks of the lower Kuskokwim River. I spent my early childhood days with my family in Takotna, a small village in central Alaska. When the village territorial school closed, our family left Alaska for better educational opportunities for the children. I returned to Alaska as a young adult and have pursued my professional career in Anchorage, working principally for Cook Inlet Region, Inc. (CIRI), where I am enrolled as an original CIRI Shareholder.
My long tenure as a CIRI employee, which began in 1976, culminated in my eight-year service as CIRI’s President and CEO. Serving as President and CEO was an honor, as has been serving the CIRI Shareholders and Descendants on the CIRI Board of Directors. As I seek my final term on the CIRI Board, I am grateful for those who helped me along the way. This includes both former Directors and the current crop of talented CIRI Directors that I am pleased to call my colleagues.
Annual meeting day 2025, CIRI will be one day shy 53 years old. With CIRI Shareholder support, the company has come a long way in those nearly 53 years and as Shareholders we have much to make us proud. However, CIRI cannot stand still and expect to survive for the long term. Recently the Board has taken the bold step of selecting a new chief executive officer who brings experienced discipline to drive corporate growth. New members of the executive team have been added, bringing fresh eyes, and complementing the strong executive team that is in place. The CIRI leadership team, both on staff and in the board room, are determined to bring new business opportunities to the company, with the goal of delivering benefits to CIRI Shareholders and Descendants.
More than most, I am grounded in CIRI’s history, but I pride myself by not being stuck in its past. The strength of our corporation, like the strength of Alaska Native people, is to thoughtfully adapt. One CIRI adaptation is to use a new tool to deliver benefits to CIRI Shareholders and Descendants – The CIRI Settlement Trust. The full potential of The CIRI Settlement Trust has yet to be explored. I look forward to participating in thoughtful discussions on how to best use this powerful tool.
I see CIRI’s success as embracing change going forward – as all companies must. However, I strongly feel we cannot forget the arduous journey it took to get CIRI to where it is now. I hope to continue to be a voice on the Board, looking forward, but not at the expense of forgetting CIRI’s past journey. Achieving this balance is critical. I would be grateful and honored to receive your continued support as I seek to serve on the CIRI Board of Directors.
Thank you,
Margaret (Margie) Brown
GREGORY L. CRAIG
Inupiaq
After growing up in Anchorage as the son of original Inupiaq Shareholder Patricia Claire Craig, I began my career at CIRI in 1986 as a young Land Management Officer and subsequently received the CIRI Foundation George V. Kriste Fellowship for Excellence at UCLA Business School. After graduating, I returned to CIRI to help open Cook Inlet Corporation in Los Angeles, and founded Cook Inlet Energy Supply for CIRI, in which I served as CEO for 15 years.
Since those days almost 30 years ago, I have been fortunate to stay close to the CIRI family and have now nearly completed my first term as a member of the CIRI Board. I have treasured the honor to help guide CIRI thus far, and look forward to continuing my role as Investment Committee Chair, as CIRI continues its push to move from passive to active, and increase net income through creating a more valuable business portfolio.
The three things that drive my Board work at CIRI are:
- Taking prudent and balanced steps to put CIRI in position to earn more net income and increase distributions for Shareholders.
- Maintaining and growing the important Shareholder Services side of CIRI’s portfolio which brings a wide variety of benefits to our Shareholders.
- Making certain we strongly protect our unique CULTURE while we move CIRI forward in an increasingly fast-paced world.
It would be my honor and privilege to bring my experience, relationships, and lifelong love for CIRI to serving in a second term as a member of the CIRI Board.
Thank you for your consideration.
Greg L. Craig
THOMAS P. HUHNDORF
Yup’ik
It has been an honor to have served as a CIRI Director for the past 21 years. In that capacity I believe I have served professionally, ethically and always with the CIRI Shareholders best interest in mind.
Currently, the Company is in another growth phase as the Board has recently hired a new CEO with the expectation of entering into new lines of business seeking increased revenue with a focus on net profitability. Increased net profitability will result in Company growth, Shareholder equity growth and increased dividends and Shareholder benefits.
CIRI, like any for-profit corporation, cannot stay static in a competitive world market and expect to survive in an ever changing business world. We must continually look for and invest in new lines of business, grow the existing ones and divest of those with limited or unacceptable returns.
I have been honored to participate in CIRI’s record growth as a Director, been grateful for past successes as a Shareholder and I’m looking forward to future opportunities in continuing service on the CIRI Board of Directors.
Sincerely yours,
Thomas P. Huhndorf
CALE V. TOLBERT
Athabascan
I am honored to be considered to join the Board of CIRI. As a current board member of CITC Enterprises, Inc. (CEI), and as someone who has spent much of my life participating in and, more recently serving, the Alaska Native community, I believe I can bring a unique perspective to the Board. My background as a commercial fisherman from Bristol Bay, my experience as a technology attorney, and my work in corporate governance all provide a strong foundation for contributing to CIRI’s continued success.
I grew up in King Salmon, Alaska, where I spent 16 years commercial fishing with my family. This experience instilled in me a deep appreciation for the land, waters, and people of Alaska. It also taught me the value of hard work, resilience, and the importance of maintaining sustainable practices for future generations— principles that are central to the work that CIRI does in the state today.
After my years as a commercial fisherman, I pursued higher education and became an electrical engineer before transitioning into law. For over 10 years, I have worked as a technology attorney, advising clients on complex matters involving technology, intellectual property, and business strategy. My legal practice has provided me with a solid foundation in business governance, risk management, and strategic planning—skills that I have applied throughout my career and in my role as a board member for CEI. Additionally, my Masters in Business Administration has allowed me to expand my expertise in finance, operations, and corporate strategy, which are essential in navigating the diverse industries CIRI is involved in, including energy, infrastructure, technology services, and natural resources.
As a board member of CEI, I have gained valuable experience in governance and oversight, helping to ensure that the organization’s strategies align with the values and interests of Alaska Native shareholders and communities. I am excited about the experiences I’ve had on the CEI board and look forward to bringing this experience to CIRI, where I can further support the organization’s mission of benefiting its Shareholders and the broader Alaska Native community.
My leadership philosophy is grounded in integrity, collaboration, and long-term, sustainable growth. I believe that CIRI’s success is intrinsically tied to its ability to balance financial performance with a deep respect for the cultural, environmental, and social needs of its Shareholders. As a Board member, I would work to ensure that CIRI remains a leader in its industries while staying true to its values and commitment to the Alaska Native community.
I am deeply committed to the mission of CIRI and believe that my diverse background—spanning commercial fishing, engineering, law, and corporate governance—makes me uniquely qualified to contribute to the Board’s decision-making process. I look forward to the opportunity to give back to my community and to help guide CIRI toward an even brighter future.
Thank you for your consideration,
Cale Tolbert
KAARLO K. WIK
Aleut
Hello, my name is Kaarlo Wik. I am a CIRI Shareholder with lifelong connection to Alaska and have called Nikiski home my entire life. My wife Ginger Wik and I have owned and operated a small, successful business for over 20 years, The Poofy Puffin Upholstery. Our teenage son Dalton has been raised with the same solid values as were instilled in me through my Grandparents Alfred and Sussana Wik, and parents Harold Wik and Bonnie Attelson. Some of those values include commitment to hard work, loyalty to family, self-determination, perseverance, giving back to community, and respectful treatment of others. I’ve had several years of experience working strategically at the Board of Director’s level for a variety of organizations such as Salamatof Native Association, Inc. where I serve as Chairman, Teya Technology, LLC, Cook Inlet Tribal Council, Vice-Chairman, and CITC Enterprises, Inc. The experience that I’ve gained through this service has strengthened my overall business acumen and appreciation for our entire ecosystem of Native organizations in the Cook Inlet Region. As a Salamatof Tribal Member, I am honored to serve on the Kenaitze-Salamatof Hunting, Fishing, Gathering Commission, and Tribal Designated Housing Entity. I serve as chairman for both of these.
These duties help keep me connected to our Tribal Members and the core purpose why these entities exist.
In closing, I would be honored to serve as a member of your Board of Directors to represent our CIRI Shareholders and Descendants’ interests. Our company is on an excellent growth trajectory and with Board and leadership focus on our mission and vision, together we will help create opportunities for our stakeholders to thrive long into the future.
Thank you,
Kaarlo Wik
