Bering Straits Native Corporation Splits President, CEO Roles
Bering Straits Native Corporation
Bering Straits Native Corporation (BSNC), the regional corporation for the Nome and the Seward Peninsula, is welcoming a new CEO and a new president, with Dan Graham transitioning from interim CEO to CEO and board member Cindy Towarak Massie taking on the role of President.
Graham has performed the duties of the organization’s CEO on interim basis since May of 2023. He joined BSNC in 2014 and is credited with playing a key part in the corporation’s recent growth. As CEO, he is responsible for business development, contract capture management, in‐region work activities, and setting strategic corporate goals.
Graham earned a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from Villanova University. He is a certified professional engineer and project management professional. During his twenty-eight‐year career as a contractor with the federal government, Graham has spent most of that time in close collaboration with Alaska Native corporations.
“It’s an honor and a privilege for me to be confirmed to the role of CEO for BSNC,” says Graham. “I truly appreciate the board for entrusting me with this responsibility and for their ongoing support in our collective pursuit to make BSNC a premier employer and service provider, guided by our steadfast corporate mission and vision.”
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April 2024
Bering Straits Native Corporation
Taking on the responsibilities as president, Massie has been a member of the BSNC board since 2019 and previously its Chair. She maintains her board position.
Current board chair Roy Ashenfelter says of the decision to split the President and CEO roles, “This structure provides significant oversight of company management to better prepare for growth while simultaneously focusing on BSNC’s mission to improve the quality of life of our people.”
Massie, the daughter of the late Clarence and Guerie Towarak, grew up in Unalakleet. Her Iñupiaq name is Aġnaqhiq after her great‐grandmother. Massie graduated from Covenant High School in Unalakleet and attended Seattle Pacific University.
Bering Straits Native Corporation
Massie co-founded multimedia company Outdoor Channel Holdings and is also a former owner of Winnercom Inc., a production company honored by thirteen Emmy Awards, and Skycam, which developed a cable-suspended camera system for sports coverage. She is also the president of the Thomas and Cindy Massie Foundation. In 2018, Massie and her husband Tom were awarded the Alaska Federation of Natives Small Business Award for their philanthropic efforts.
“I am honored to assume the role of President of BSNC,” says Massie. “I also extend my gratitude to Dan for his service as Interim President & CEO during the past six months. His leadership during this transition was vital to BSNC’s business continuity.”
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