EKLUTNA - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Assistant Treasurer
- Director
Dustin Lorah has been a Director on the Eklutna Board since 2020. He was born in Anchorage, Alaska on November 1, 1975. Dustin's family name here in Alaska is "Stephan", and his grandparents are Leo and Alberta Ezi Stephan from Eklutna and Matanuska, respectively.
Dustin graduated from East Anchorage High School in 1993. Soon after graduating he welcomed his daughter, Jo Anna into the world. Amongst any past or future accomplishments or experiences he has had or will, he will always regard his daughter as the most cherished of them.
In Dustin's professional career, he has worked for a financial planning firm, regional native corporation (CIRI), home security company, two mortgage companies, two real estate brokerages, and both the village and village corporation. From his varied experiences, he has worked in administration, land, legal, marketing, management, finance, property management, and real estate. Throughout, he has been greatly valued as an intelligent, detail-oriented person who excels at research and problem solving, managing business relations and special projects at a senior management level.
Dustin studied at the University of Anchorage, Alaska for two years. He has attained certificates in management, sales and an Alaska Real Estate License.
Dustin is self-employed and works under the real estate brokerage, Real Estate Brokers of Alaska, since 2015. He is also a Trustee, an elected position, on the village council for the Native Village of Eklutna; he was nominated to fill a vacant seat in 2018 and has been reelected in 2019 and 2022. As Trustee he holds several Chairmanships, they include the Housing Commission, River Restoration, and the Policy and Planning committee. Through the village, he was asked to be a delegate for the Alaska Federation of Natives. At Eklutna, Inc., Dustin has chaired the board for Eklutna Utility, Inc. He is also has been a member of the Eklutna Scholarship and Grants committee since 2015 and was elevated to Chairman in 2022. He is a member of the Cemetery Committee, working with the Russian Orthodox Church there in the Eklutna Village.
Dustin is a family and community-oriented person. He has been asked to serve and, in both capacities, as a Director and Village Councilman, he doesn't take the responsibility lightly. He says, he will continue to serve for as long as he can contribute and be an asset.
He is a dog and cat person who Loves the village he came from, Alaska and the outdoors because he fishes and stuff. I hear that guy is awesome.
Job Titles:
- Chief Executive Officer
- Chief Executive Officer Eklutna 2022 - 10 - 17T18
In November, 2020, Eklutna Inc. Board of Directors was pleased to announce the promotion of Kyle Foster into the Chief Executive Officer position of the parent Company Eklutna, Inc. Kyle joined the Eklutna team as General Manager in July 2020.
As the CEO, he will lead the parent company as well as provide leadership and work with the senior management teams of Eklutna's subsidiaries, Eklutna Services, LLC (dba Eklutna Sand & Gravel), the natural resources division, and Eklutna Construction & Maintenance, LLC, the construction and federal contracting division.
Kyle received his Bachelor of Arts in International Business and has a Master Degree in Business Administration. Kyle brings a robust background of business experience, having worked in the Alaska Native corporation industry and international business arena for numerous years. Kyle also serves on the Board of Directors of an ANCSA Regional Corporation.
Job Titles:
- Corporate Secretary
- Vice President
- Vice President Corporate Secretary Eklutna 2022 - 10 - 17T18
Born December 28, 1954 in Palmer, Alaska, Lee Stephan attended Chugiak Elementary and Chugiak, West and Galena High Schools while obtaining a general education diploma in 1974. He also attended a vocational school in Kenai to become a certified Marine Deck-hand. Lee tried his hand at corporate board service first time in 1982, lasting one term. After gaining a little more knowledge and experience, he returned to serve the Shareholders of Eklutna, Inc. from 1984-2007, a total of 26 consecutive years of selfless service. Besides being a Board Member, he has held the Board officer posts of Treasurer, Vice-President, and President and held the position of interim Chief Executive Officer from November 2005 to May 2006. He was re-elected to the Board at the 2011 Annual Shareholders Meeting and currently holds the position of Corporate Vice President & Secretary.
From 1986 to 1988, he attempted to secure an Associates degree in business administration from Alaska Pacific University and later University of Alaska, but due to the shear volume of responsibilities, family of four children and a wife, work as the Corporation vice-president, and later tribal administrator for NVE, he surrendered his chance at a degree to service the people. In 1991, he began his career as Tribal Administrator and later titled Chief Executive Officer, to the 1984 reactivated tribal government of the Native Village of Eklutna. In that capacity, Lee served 264 tribal members until May 2006.
Lee was appointed to the Rural Governance Commission in 1998-99, during the Tony Knowles administration. He saw through to the completion of what was named the Millennium Agreement, which was signed between tribes and the State of Alaska. Lee served on the Alaska Federation of Natives Board of Directors; Alaska Inter-Tribal Council; Alaska Native Health Board; Alaska Tribal Health Consortium Board and as an alternate on behalf of AITC on the Rural-Cap board. On behalf of the Native Village of Eklutna, he secured them a seat at the Alaska Tribal Health Compact negotiations with the Indian Health Services in which NVE became one of only two actual tribes, of the thirteen Health Compact co-signer of Alaska, taking over management of the Alaska Native Health Care system.
Mr. Stephan enjoys his time with is grandson Jordon Lee Wilde-Stephan and granddaughter Hailee Marie Adams at his home in Eklutna Village, Alaska, as well as attending to his subsistence lifestyle of hunting and fishing.
Job Titles:
- Director
- Treasurer
- Treasurer Eklutna 2022 - 10 - 18T09
Maria D.L. Coleman has served on the Eklutna, Inc. Board of Directors and other positions since 1995, currently serving as Treasurer. She is also part of the NALA Executive Committee with the Municipality of Anchorage and State of Alaska, and serves as a delegate for the Alaska Federation of Natives.
She is Vice President (Second Chief) of Native Village of Eklutna since 1998, and served on the Tribal Council since 1994. Maria is a Lead Judge for the Traditional Tribal Court. The Eklutna Tribal Government has appointed her as a Board Member of Cook Inlet Tribal Council since 2012.
Maria was honored by receiving the 2017 Presidential Award for Volunteer Work from Bridge Builders of Anchorage. She gained valuable experience serving on the Alaska Migrant Education Statewide Advisory Council, Cooperative Extension Service Advisory Board, and JBER Community Environmental Board (CEB). She was named on the Dena'ina Center Plaque as a Cultural Advisory Group member. Maria and her family are privileged to perform Dena'ina songs at public events for nearly ten years.
Education history for Maria includes Alaska Pacific University 2015, Village Management Institute 2004, University of Anchorage 2006 and 1989-1991, Anchorage Community College 1981-1982, and graduated from Copper Valley School in 1971.
Maria is proud to be the daughter of Elizabeth Mills, and a granddaughter/great granddaughter of the honored Ezi Chiefs of Eklutna and Matanuska. Maria was one of ten children adopted by Herlee and Rita Stineburg of Palmer, Alaska, and grew up comfortable with having two mothers. Her five biological children have given her seventeen grandchildren and one great grand child! Maria also has numerous "Spirit Children" who claim her as family and she enjoys providing them a sense of belonging.