The Hunter 2018 Holiday Hunter FINAL 121318_0159 | Page 2

NANA
November Board Report Summary
Meeting was called to order at 9 am on November 1, 2018 and adjourned at 5:36 pm in Kotzebue, Alaska.
ACTIONS
1. Approved the 2019 Annual Shareholder Meeting Proxy Prize List. The total 2019 Annual Meeting Shareholder cash prizes: $40,000
2. Approved the re-nomination of incumbents Gladys Jones of Ambler, Clara Ticket of Buckland, Donald G Sheldon of
Noorvik, Diana Ramoth of Selawik, and Harvey Vestal, At Large. Three incumbents chose to be nominated by their
village, rather than by the Board (Ron Moto of Deering, Stella Shy of Noatak and Linda Lee of Shungnak).
NEXT MEETING DATE:
January 17, 2019 in Kotzebue, Alaska.
NANA BOARD MEETINGS GO PAPERLESS
Recognizing the need to reduce costs and improve meeting
efficiencies the NANA board of directors has moved to a digital
environment. Gone are the binder packets using reams of
paper. Today, the information provided for the board meetings
uses an online board portal to enhance meeting management
and security. Now board members are able to easily access the
materials using a lap top, tablet, or mobile device.
“We are embracing technology!” said Linda Lee, NANA Board
Chair, “We are developing our skills and using new tools to
navigate on our devices in preparation for and during the board
meetings. This is a positive move and a critical step for the board.
It will definitely reduce the cost and time of doing paper packets,
and provides the board members easy and secure access to the
meeting materials. It is a very important part of maintaining
confidential information.”
The goal to go paperless was achieved at the November 1, 2018
board meeting.
A Conversation with
Kristine Couse
HR Onboarding Administrator
WHO ENCOURAGED YOU TO
COME WORK FOR NANA?
Ron Adams recruited me. He placed me at
NANA/Colt (now NANA WorleyParsons)
as the receptionist and admin assistant.
Later, I moved to shareholder development
as an administrative assistant III.
TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT
SHAREHOLDER DEVELOPMENT.
For almost 10 years, Kristina McCall was
my boss. She took me under her wing and
taught me so much over the years. She’s
been an influential person in my life.
Our department included Annette Zella,
Tami Krukoff, Ron Adams and Denise
Koutchak. Three times a year, we traveled
to communities in the NANA region
to work with youth. We adjusted the
Junior Achievement curriculum to make
it relevant. We did things like change
cows and horses to moose and caribou.
Kristine Couse, a NANA shareholder with family from Kiana, is an onboarding administrator for new hires in
camp services and security. Photo by Craig Billingsley.
This is part of a series of interviews
with NANA’s employees.
WHAT IS YOUR IÑUPIAQ NAME?
Ikkaiyuk. I was named after my great-
aana (great-grandmother), Belle Cook.
WHERE IS YOUR FAMILY FROM?
My mom, Norma Morena Couse, is
originally from Kiana (up the Kobuk
River from Kotzebue). My aana
(grandmother), Hilda Morena, still
lives there. She’s 93. My dad, Toby
Couse, grew up in Nyack, New York.
WHERE DID YOU GROW UP?
I was born in Fairbanks. When I
was in the second grade, we moved
to Kiana and then to Anchorage.
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HUNTER | 2018 DECEMBER
WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST JOB?
I scooped ice cream at Baskin-Robbins in
the Northway Mall (in east Anchorage).
My favorite flavor is Cookies ‘n Cream
(vanilla ice cream with Oreo pieces).
WHO HAS INSPIRED YOU?
I’ve always looked up to my dad. He worked
really hard to provide for his family—for me
and my two siblings. We never wanted for
anything. I carry that with me, in my life, so
that I can do the same for my two children.
After years of hard work, it’s good to see
my dad and mom enjoy the fruits of his
labor. They finally get to retire. They bought
a second home, paid in full, in Buckeye,
Arizona (a fast-growing suburb of Phoenix).
WHAT’S YOUR CURRENT JOB?
I onboard new employees in camp
services or security positions. After
a job offer is accepted, I process
paperwork, background checks, fit for
duty exams and drug testing results.
I work with De’Andra Harris, who has
all this knowledge in her head which she
shares with me. Her positive attitude is
contagious. We need that high energy
since we’re super busy. I didn’t know what
I was getting myself into, but I love it.
WHAT DO YOU LIKE BEST
ABOUT YOUR JOB?
It’s my dream job! I’d been praying about
a job in HR. Every day is different, crazy,
hectic, but it doesn’t seem like work.
We make a difference in people’s lives.
Gaining employment means they can
provide for their families. You don’t know
how far this reaches. You can see how much
they appreciate the opportunity to work
for an amazing company. It’s a blessing.
WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE
FOR YOUNG SHAREHOLDERS?
Keep a positive attitude. Be open
to constructive criticism.
Be ready and available. When you accept
a job offer, be reachable and responsive.
Keep out of trouble. Stay healthy and drug-
free. When people don’t pass their drug
tests or their background checks, we have
to make some uncomfortable phone calls.
WHAT IMPORTANT LESSONS
HAVE YOU LEARNED?
When you make mistakes, own up to them.
The sooner you say something, the sooner
it can be fixed. I have a good conscience,
so I’m not afraid to speak up and just
own it. Never be afraid to ask questions.
WHAT ARE YOU GRATEFUL FOR?
My family. My son is a senior at Bartlett
(High School). He’s a good kid: smart, well-
mannered, an old soul. He’s into sports and
plays varsity football. My daughter is five,
going on 15. She’s starting kindergarten.
WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DO WHEN
YOU’RE NOT AT WORK?
I’m a hardcore Chitina dipnetter.
I love Copper River salmon! But
every year the river changes. 