George Sielak, Chairman
George Sielak resides in Nuiqsut, Alaska. He is the son of the late Beverly Sielak. George was elected Chair of Kuukpik Corporation June 2021. During the past 5 years George has been employed as the Human Resources Manager for Kuukpik Corporation. He previously worked as a Field Liaison for ASRC Energy Services (2007-2019); Services Supervisor for North Slope Borough Public Works (2002-2007); and, held multiple positions for the Ice Road Project (1997-1999) including Heavy Equipment Operator Foreman, Road Upgrade Foreman and Ice Road Foreman. His training has included supervisor training and land management training. George has served on the Kuukpik Corporation board of directors for 3 years (2018 – current) and has served on Kuukpik’s Finance Committee since 2019. He has held the following other directorships with other entities: ASRC Board of Directors (1992-2019), Vice Chairman (2010-2019), 1st Vice President (2007-2010), 2nd Vice President (2004-2007), Executive Committee (1996-2019), (1993-1994), Audit Committee (1995-2019), Ethics Committee (2004-2019), Proxy Review Committee (2017-2018), (2014-2016) and (2010-2012), Shareholder Development Committee (2010-2017), Heirship Committee (2003-2004) and (1997-1998); Arctic Education Foundation (AEF) Board Member (1995-2019); and AEF Chair (2006-2019). George’s term as a Board of Director with Kuukpik Corporation expires June 2024.
Joe Nukapigak, President
Joseph Nukapigak Sr. resides in Nuiqsut, Alaska. He is the son of the late Ruth & Edward Nukapigak. During the past 5 years, his principal employment or occupation was President of Kuukpik Corporation. He previously served as Land Manager for Kuukpik Corporation. Joe held the following other directorships with other entities: Board Member, Nuiqsut Utility Cooperative (2018 – 2020). He has served on the Kuukpik Corporation Board of Directors for 30 years and is currently serving Kuukpik as the Corporate President, since 2016. Joe serves as a member of the: Kuukpik Executive management team; Finance Committee member (2012 – 2017), and an After-born committee member of Kuukpik Corporation. He has previously served as on the Board of Directors and as President of Nanuq, Inc. Joe’s term as a Board of Director with Kuukpik Corporation expires June 2026.
Richard Reich, Vice President
Richard Reich resides in Anchorage Alaska. He is the son of Emiliy Wilson. Richard earned his MBA (Management) from the University of Alaska, Anchorage in 2001; B.S. in Civil Engineering from the University of Alaska, Fairbanks in 1988; and, is a State of Alaska Registered Civil Engineer (No. 8387). He served as a UAA School of Engineering Advisory Board Member (2005-2019), Chairman (2008-2011); Intertribal Information Technology Company (IITC) Board of Directors (2005-2012); and ASCG Board of Directors (1993-1995). Richard has served as a director of Kuukpik Corporation since 2020. He has not served in other positions or offices with Kuukpik and its subsidiaries. Richard’s term as a Board of Director with Kuukpik Corporation expires June 2026.
Leonard Lampe Sr., Secretary
Leonard Lampe Sr. resides in Anchorage, Alaska and serves as the Secretary on the Board of Directors (2005-present). He is the son of the late Annie & Norman Lampe. He has been a board member of Kuukpik Corporation since 1990. In addition to his role as Secretary, he is a member of the Kuukpik Finance Committee and the Kuukpik Heirship Committee. He has been employed with the Corporation as Special Assistant since 1987. During the past 5 years, he held the following other directorships with other entities: President, Kuukpikmiut Foundation (2006 – present). Leonard attended Sheldon Jackson College and later earned a bachelor’s degree in Business Management from the University of Alaska, Fairbanks. Leonard’s term as a Board of Director with Kuukpik Corporation expires June 2025.
Isaac Nukapigak, Treasurer
Isaac Nukapigak resides in Anchorage, Alaska and is the son of the late Ruth & Edward Nukapigak. Isaac serves as the Treasurer on the Parent Board of Directors (2016-present). He has been a board member of Kuukpik Corporation since 1989. He was President of Kuukpik Corporation (2002 – 2016). During the past 5 years, Isaac has be en employed as the President of Nanuq, Inc. (2016-present). Isaac was instrumental in the establishment of Kuukpik affiliated companies such as Kuukpikmiut Foundation, Kuukpik Transportation, Nuiqsut Utility CO-OP, and Nanuq Inc. Isaac has also served the community as: Fire Chief (1984-2001); Nuiqsut Whaling Captain (2002-2016); Commissioner representing Nuiqsut Whaling Captains’ Association on the Alaska Eskimo Whaling Commission (2002-2016). Isaac’s term as a Board of Director with Kuukpik Corporation expires June 2025.
Gordon Brown II
Gordon Brown Jr. resides in Nuiqsut, Alaska. He is the son of Irene and Johnny Ahnupkana and he’s the husband of Erna Brown. He has served Kuukpik Corporation as a Board of Director since 1999. In addition to his role on Board of Directors, Gordon serves on the Board of Directors for Nanuq Inc. and on the Finance and Design Committee for Kuukpik Corporation. During the past 5 years, his principal employment or occupation was as a Facilities Maintenance Specialist for the North Slope Borough (2015 – present). Gordon has represented Kuukpik Corporation on the Kuukpikmiut Subsistence Oversight Panel for more than five years. Gordon’s term as a Board of Director with Kuukpik Corporation expires June 2025.
Eli Nukapigak
Eli Nukapigak resides in Nuiqsut, Alaska. He is the son of the late Ruth & Edward Nukapigak. He attended Chemawa Indian School in Oregon (1968- 1971). Eli worked for Nanuq, Inc. on ice road projects throughout his career (1980’s-2001). During the past 5 years Eli was employed with Nanuq, Inc. as a Heavy Equipment Operator and he is now retired. He’s held the following other directorships with other entities: Alaska Nanuq Co-Management Council (2018-present); North Slope Borough (NSB) Planning Commission (2001-2010); NSB Wildlife Commission (1998-present); Kuukpik Subsistence Oversight Committee (2016-present); Nuiqsut Tribal Council (2001-present); City of Nuiqsut Council Member (1981-2019); and, Whaling Commissioner Representing Nuiqsut Whaling Captains’ Association at the Alaska Eskimo Whaling Commission (1981-1986). Eli has served as a director of Kuukpik Corporation since 2016. Eli’s term as a Board of Director with Kuukpik Corporation expires June 2024.
Dora Leavitt
Dora Leavitt resides in Nuiqsut, Alaska and is a whaling captain’s wife. She is the daughter of the late Ruth & Edward Nukapigak. Dora graduated from Nuiqsut Trapper High School in 1983, after which she attended the American Indian College (AIC) in Phoenix, Arizona for two years. She received her certificate as a Heavy Equipment Operator from Ilisagvik College in 1995. During the past 5 years Dora was employed as the Advisor to the North Slope Borough (NSB) Mayor (2011-2013). Dora has previously worked for Kuukpik Corporation as the HR Manager (2011-2014); Seasonal Subsistence Representative (2004-2009) and 2019; and Kuukpik Elder’s Driver for AFN (2019). She’s held the following other directorships with other entities: Chairman, Kuukpik Heirship Committee (2016-present); Board of Trustees, Ilisagvik College (2017-present); Advisory Council, Nuiqsut Trapper School (1995-2017); and, Council Member, City of Nuiqsut. Dora’s term as a Board of Director with Kuukpik Corporation expires 2024.
Bernice Kaigelak
Bernice Kaigelak, age 57, resides in Nuiqsut, Alaska, and is a whaling captain for the Nuiqsut Whaling Captains’ Association. She is the daughter of the late Mark and Nannie Pausanna. During the past 5 years, she has worked as an Inupiat language teacher at Trapper School for the North Slope Borough School District. Bernice has served as a director of Kuukpik Corporation and as a Trustee of the Kuukpik Corporation Distribution Settlement Trust since 2022. During her time on the board, she has served as the vice president of the Board of Directors and chair of the Finance Committee. She has served in the following positions or offices with Kuukpik and its subsidiaries: Chair, Arctic Slope Native Association, Board of Directors, Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium; and Chair, NUC. Bernice’s term as a Board of Director for Kuukpik Corporation expires June 2026.
Class B Directors
Jerry Brower
Jerry Brower resides in Anchorage, Alaska. Jerry is the son of Wendy & Carl Brower. He is currently employed as a Bookkeeper with Kuukpik Corporation in the Anchorage office (2019 – present). Jerry has not held any other positions or offices with Kuukpik or its subsidiaries. His previous experience during the past 5 years includes employment as the Recreation Supervisor with the City of Nuiqsut (4/2020 – 7/2020), in the maintenance department with the North Slope Borough School District (5/2019 – 9/2019), and with the Native Village of Nuiqsut (10/2019 – 4/2020). Jerry previously attended Stanford University and is currently enrolled at the University of Alaska Anchorage. Jerry’s term as a Board of Director with Kuukpik Corporation expires 2024.
Roxanna Oyagak
Roxanna Oyagak resides in Utqiagvik, Alaska. She is the daughter of Joy & the late Roxy Oyagak Jr. She has worked for UIC in multiple roles since 2008, including: Project Assistant (2008 – 2020); Controller (2008 – 2020); and Accounting Manager (2008 – 2020). She also worked as the Fiscal Manager for the North Slope Borough (2019-2020). Roxanna has obtained certificates for completion of Business Specialist training, Finance Workshop and CAD Drafting from Ilisagvik College. Roxanna’s term as a Board of Director with Kuukpik Corporation expires 2025.
