Steve Karpstein

Chair

Steve was born and raised in Sitka, Alaska. His parents are the late Bernadine McGraw Karpstein and Carl Karpstein, and grandparents Zenia Hanlon McGraw and Donald McGraw, Sr. Steve graduated Sitka High School with the Class of 1982 and went to Central Washington University where he studied Business Administration. He spent his early years in a career managing concrete manufacturing sites in Everett, Washington, and surrounding areas. That role led him to a career in Information Technologies (IT). He and his wife currently live in La Center, Washington.

Steve was an IT consultant for four years prior to starting his own IT consulting and business process re-engineering corporation, where he was the President and CEO for 17 years. His company partnered with several domestic and international clients to design and implement solutions worldwide. Upon leaving consulting, he took a position as Director of Trading Processes and Solutions with a global athletic footwear and apparel corporation located in Beaverton, Oregon, where he has been in this role since 2016. He leads a team that focuses on trading, customs and supply chains processes globally. He is dedicated to bringing a strong business experience and leadership that will contribute to the continued success and growth for the shareholders, Board and Corporation.

Larry Garrity

Vice Chair

Laurence “Larry” Garrity, Kichnaalx of the Deisheetaan clan, was first elected in 2017. Larry was raised in Sitka, the grandson of the late John and Mabel Didrickson, son of Joni Lewis, and father of five daughters. He resides in Sitka with his partner, Dionne, and two of their daughters.

As one of the original Gajaa Heen Dancers, Larry has felt the need to give back to his Native community and has been volunteering at SNEP, instructing dance, and also with the Naa Kahídi Dancers.

A certified journeyman electrician for 35 years, Larry served on the Apprenticeship Board for I.B.E.W. and has spent the last 21 years in Alaska’s oil industry. While at Alyeska Pipeline, Larry helped initiate a committee to implement Section 29 and also served as chair to ensure the oil companies fulfilled their obligation of Native hire. He also served as the project lead on the vapor recovery project and the pipeline electrification at Alyeska. A certified Infrared Technician, he helped develop the Infrared Program at both Alyeska and BP, and also served on hiring committees and diversity committees at both companies before he retired. Larry utilizes his experience and background to bring another perspective to the board room.  

Norma J. Perkins

Secretary

Norma was elected as an Independent Candidate in 2019 and was re-elected in 2022. She was born and raised in Sitka and continued to live there until recently, when she moved to Wasilla. Norma is a Shee Atiká Shareholder of 100 Class A shares. She is the daughter of the late Raymond C. Perkins (also a former Shee Atiká Director) and Rosalie H. Perkins and the adopted daughter of the late Lucille R. Perkins. Her grandmother was the late Mary B. Perkins.

Norma worked for the tribal healthcare delivery system (SEARHC) for more than 34 years. She began her career in Accounting/Finance earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration. She then gained work experience and excellent mentorship that led to new career opportunities within SEARHC. Norma has held various senior management positions including Hospital Administrator.  

Semi-retired as of May 2014, she enjoys spending time with her family, especially her great-nieces and great-nephews. In 2017, Norma re-entered the workforce as a contractor to perform minor accounting projects for the Center for Community. In 2018, she was promoted to Controller of the local organization where she worked until 2021, when she retired.  

As a board member, Norma is dedicated to serving Shee Atiká shareholders and being a part of the corporation’s financial success.

Lowell Frank

Treasurer

Lowell is the son of Nelson and Jean Frank. He is Haida, Eagle. Lowell grew up and attended school in Sitka. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and has spent the majority of his career working in the lumber industry managing lumber yards in Sitka; Salinas, California; and Rock Springs, Wyoming. Lowell’s board experience includes service with the Greater Sitka Chamber of Commerce, Sawmill Cove Industrial Park, and Sitka Golf Association. Lowell currently lives in Puyallup, Washington.

Marcus Cogley

Director

James Craig

Director

James Craig (Kaa Kaa) is the son of the late Arlene Gamble and Darin Craig. He is the grandchild of the late Arthur Gamble and Anita Wright. James is Kiks.adi from the Clay house (Se Hit) in Sheet’ká Kwáan and a grandchild of the Kaagwaantaan (Eagle/Wolf) clan. He received his political science degree from Fort Lewis College in 2011 and recently completed Masters of Public Administration-Tribal Governance program at Evergreen State College in 2016. James has experience working for ANCSA Corporations, government agencies and tribal entities. James is an avid hunter, fisher and lifelong learner. James was appointed to the Board to fill the seat once held by former director Francine Eddy Jones and was then elected to the board in 2019 and again in 2022, each for a three-year term.

Roxanne Drake-Burkhart

Director

Roxanne Drake-Burkhart was elected to the Shee Atiká Board of Directors in 2018. Roxanne was born and raised in Sitka, the granddaughter of the late Jacob Sam and Andrew/Bessie Kitka, daughter of Barbara Borgen and the late Paul Drake. She resides in Juneau with her husband, Ted Burkhart, since 1989. She has two children, Zach and Stephanie, and have three grandchildren, Kayley, Nicole and Greyson.

Roxanne’s employment history includes 33 years in the accounting profession holding various level positions in Juneau. She has worked for Tlingit & Haida Regional Housing Authority, Sealaska Corporation, Klukwan, Inc. and currently Inside Passage Electric Cooperative (IPEC), formerly known as Tlingit-Haida Regional Electrical Authority (THREA). She began her employment with THREA in May of 1995 as a billing officer, then senior accountant and presently is the controller for IPEC. Roxanne has served on Big Brother/Big Sisters of Juneau, Glacier Valley PTO boards and currently serves as a director on the Kwaan Electric Transmission Intertie Cooperative, Inc. board.

She has always felt the need to give back to Shee Atiká and its shareholders; serving on the board was one way to accomplish this goal. The next generation needs to feel empowered as they can and will be vital to our corporation’s future success. Encouraging our shareholders to pursue higher education and to be culturally involved with our community can only enhance the value of our corporation. Roxanne utilizes her education and work history to serve Shee Atiká’s shareholders.

Alysha Guthrie

Director

Alysha is passionate about community, business, and economic development. She is driven by her desire to see our shareholders and descendent shareholders prosper for generations to come: “I am honored to be selected to be a part of the team setting the vision for our corporation and driving positive change that our great-grandchildren’s children will be proud of.”

Alysha resides in Juneau with her daughter, Amara. She currently serves as the Director of Administrative Operations at the Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation. Her professional experience includes program management for both tribal and public sectors, including a broad range of industries such as housing planning and pre-development and marketing Alaska seafood internationally.

As a previous scholarship recipient, she has a strong desire to give back to our native community. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Marketing from Fort Lewis College and a Master of Business Administration from Washington State University. She earned a Masters Certificates in both International Business and Finance.

Her Tlingit name is Yaanas.ix Ch’aak, she is Tlingit Eagle/Wolf, Kaagwaantaan, and Haida Raven/Owl, Gut ga Niis. She grew up as a Gajaa Heen dancer in Sitka and danced with the Sheet’ká Kwáan dancers when the Sheet’ká Kwáan Naa Kahídi was first built. Her parents are Rick and Kathy Paden of Sitka.

G. Ken Truitt

Director

G. Ken Truitt was elected to the Shee Atiká Board in September 2020 and re-elected in May 2023. He is Raven/Coho and the son of the late Dr. Gil and Shirley Truitt. His Tlingit names are Kadashan and Tuk´ Sāēk. Ken lives in Juneau with his wife Charlotte, and together they have raised four daughters Madison, Marissa, Sydney, and Elena.

Ken holds a Bachelor of Arts in Secondary Education from Oral Roberts University and a Juris Doctor from Arizona State University, Sandra Day O’Conner College of Law and has taught school in Angoon, Alaska, served as an Assistant Attorney General in the state’s Office of the Attorney General, as General Counsel and interim President/CEO of SEARHC, and Division Director of the Alaska Pioneers homes. Currently he works for the Southcentral Foundation as the Senior Associate General Counsel.