Two Senior Leadership Changes at Chugach Alaska Corporation
Chugach Alaska made two senior leadership changes, even as the Alaska Native corporation for the Prince William Sound region continues to search for a new chief executive.
Peter Andersen has been appointed Chief Operating Officer. In this role, Andersen oversees growth strategy and operations for Chugach’s operating companies and investment portfolio, as well as the business enterprise functions that support them.
With more than two-and-a-half decades of leadership experience, Andersen most recently served as president of Chugach Commercial Holdings. Prior to that, he held the position of president at Chugach Alaska Services. He has also held senior leadership positions at UIC Arctic Response Services and Alyeska Pipeline Service Company. A Chugach shareholder born and raised in Cordova, Andersen spent many years as a commercial fisherman in Prince William Sound, Kodiak Island, and the Bering Sea. Andersen has served on the board of the Providence Foundation to is currently on the board of the Prince William Sound Science Center.
“These are exciting times to be a Chugach shareholder, a partner, an employee; and it has always been a great honor to be a leader at Chugach. I’m eager to be working to drive our Business Enterprise functions forward, working closely with our commercial, federal, and investment leaders toward intergenerational prosperity,” Andersen says.
Katherine Carlton is transitioning to Vice President of Operations for Chugach Commercial Holdings, where she will drive operational performance for Chugach’s commercial businesses.
Originally from Cordova and a Chugach shareholder, Carlton started her Chugach career in 2005 in an entry-level finance role and moved her way up to president and general manager for the Education Division subsidiaries. Carlton currently serves as co-chair of Native American Contractors Association and as the local board member of the Selective Service System for the State of Alaska.
Carlton says, “I’m so proud to be a Chugach shareholder and employee. I’ve been fortunate to build my career with the support of Chugach, learning and growing all along the way. I’ve always tried to approach each new challenge with the questions, ‘How can I use my skills to be of service; and what do I need to learn so I can maximize my contribution?’ I’m honored and excited to serve Chugach and its shareholders in this new role.”
“Sustainable, long-term growth and stability remain our top priority for Chugach, and our recent appointments of Peter and Katherine underpin our pursuit of this,” says Chairman of the Board Sheri Buretta. “Together, they bring a forty-year combined tenure with Chugach. We believe their leadership and operations experience within our federal and commercial business lines will position our businesses to capitalize on future growth opportunities.”
Interim CEO Angie Astle states, “If there’s one thing that the past several years has taught us, it is that change is inevitable—and necessary—in order to thrive. Both of these newly created roles will help drive operational efficiencies, leverage the strengths of our leaders, and enable quick decision-making at a pivotal time for our company.”