Ensuring the importance of shareholders being hired, developed and retained.
Describe your family:
My parents are the late Dan Nicklie and Tammany Monaghan. My husband was the late Markle Frank Ewan Jr. and we have two sons, Kenneth and Michael, and a daughter, the late Kimberly. I have seven great grandchildren and five grandchildren (Tyler, John Frank, Rylynn, Sarah and Rachelle), three of whom I’ve adopted.
What clan are you a member of?
Udzisyu (Caribou)
Is there anyone in particular in your life that has inspired you?
My late cousin, Ruby Tansy John, was an important inspiration to me and taught me the value of discipline. Ruby was instrumental in the early stages of land claims and was a powerful woman. She encouraged me to go to college. I was accepted but I didn’t go. Also, my two sisters, Eleanor Dementi and Elsie Nicklie, inspired me. As soon as Eleanor’s children grew older, she became politically active and served on many Boards, including President of the Alaska State School Board and Vice Chairman of Ahtna, Inc. If it wasn’t for Elsie I wouldn’t have been able to go to school. She provided a home for us and worked long, hard hours in the hospital kitchen to be able to provide for us.
What are your hopes for the future of Ahtna?
I hope that Ahtna continues to be a Shareholder driven company, that we as a people are heavily involved at every level in Ahtna now and into the future.
How long have you served on the Ahtna Board?
I was elected in 2018 so I have only served for a little over a year.
What is the Board’s vision for Ahtna, Inc?
The board wants our culture to survive and to continue to guide us, they want to protect and preserve the land for the benefit of the shareholders and they want us to be a prosperous, thriving company that pays dividends back to the owners.
What made you want to join the Board?
My friends and family approached me and asked me to be a representative on the board and I wanted to help ensure that our company survives long into the future.
What excites you the most about the Board’s work?
I am very excited about the Ahtna Hwt-anene (People’s) Settlement Trust. It pleases me that we have reached over $10 million in the trust and all future dividends will be non-taxable to the shareholders.
What are some key things you wanted to change/implement when you joined the Board?
I wanted to ensure that a large percentage of the net profits were going to go to the owners in some form, through scholarships, memorial fund and dividends. I also wanted to be sure that shareholders continue to be hired, developed and retained.
What is one or a few things you would love for all shareholders to know about the Board?
The board invests a lot of time trying to make the best decisions that will benefit the owners now and well into the future.
What message would you like to share with the youth of today?
The values and principles of the past generation of leaders must be adhered to ensure that Ahtna survives and thrives for the benefit of the people.
Can you tell me more about your work history and community involvement?
My Ahtna career began in 1977 when the company was still in its infancy. I was hired as the Receptionist for the Copper Center office and was promoted to Shareholder Records that same year. I left the company in 1978 but returned in 1983 as Executive Assistant and spent over ten years in the position providing Shareholder Records support. I also supported the Board of Directors and was a non-voting Board Secretary for over three years. I rejoined Ahtna, Inc. in 2006 as Shareholder/Supervisor Manager and would fill in as Board Secretary as needed since I had experience working with the Board. In 2011, I went to work for Ahtna Construction and Primary Products Company (AC&PPC) as their Office Manager and retired in 2018.