INTRODUCING

our team

INTRODUCING

our team

INTRODUCING

our team

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

BOARD
OF
 
DIRECTORS

Kootznoowoo, Inc. is overseen by a seven-member Board of Directors who are responsible for establishing the direction, strategy, and policies for the corporation. Each Director is elected to a three-year term by shareholders with voting status. Directors are all Alaska Native and enrolled shareholders in Kootznoowoo.

EUNICE E. JAMES

EUNICE E. JAMES

BOARD CHAIR

Eunice E. James was elected to the Board and began serving as Chair in 2022. In this role, she is responsible for presiding over all board and shareholder meetings, working closely with the corporation’s leadership, and serves as ex-officio on all committees.  

Currently, Eunice has been employed with the Central Council Tlingit & Haida as Family Casework II since 2014.  Previously worked for the Alaska State Department of Fish and Game.  Eunice also has served as president of the Juneau Lion’s Club, Alaska Native Sisterhood Camp 7 (Angoon), and Alaska Native Sisterhood Camp 1 (Sitka).  Additionally, she has served on several committees in support of the Gold Medal tournament.

Eunice holds an Associate of Science in Human Services and a Certificate in Rural Human Services from the University of Alaska Fairbanks as well as an Administrators Certificate from Sheldon Jackson College.  She is currently pursing a bachelor’s degree.

The daughter of the late Robert G. James Sr. and Helene R. James.  She is of the Kaagwaantan from the Ch’aak Koodi Hit house. 

Eunice’s term ends in 2025.

“As directors, it is our responsibility to be watchful stewards over the land as well as pursuing opportunities for our corporation that is beneficial to shareholders”

FRANK JACK III

FRANK JACK III

VICE CHAIR

Frank Jack III was elected to the Kootznoowoo Board in 2017 and formerly served on the Executive Committee. He currently serves as Vice Chair.

Frank is a resident of Angoon and is employed as a Miner with the Hecla Greens Creek Mine. Previously, he worked as a Site Supervisor for 12 years with Tlingit Haida Regional Housing and also was a member of the Angoon City Council. Frank is committed to supporting the community with strong involvement in local cultural activities and preservation.

Frank is the son of Frank Jack, Jr. and Martha Henniger-Jack. His paternal grandparents are the late Frank Jack, Sr. and Elizabeth (Beth) Jack and his maternal grandparents are the late Bernard Henniger and Marion Valle-Henniger. Frank is Galyàx Kaagwantaan from Yakutat.

Frank’s term ends in 2026.

“My priority for Kootznoowoo is to think outside of the box and develop a portfolio of diverse businesses that are strong and viable. It is our responsibility as Directors to ensure that our corporation is profitable in order to safeguard continued benefits and dividends for not only the shareholders of today, but also the shareholders and descendants of tomorrow.”

MELISSA M. KOOKESH

MELISSA M. KOOKESH

TREASURER

Melissa M. Kookesh serves as the Treasurer of the Kootznoowoo, Inc. Board of Directors. She has been serving on the Board since 2016 and also served as Board Chair from 2016-2022.  

Melissa is currently employed as the Tribal Liaison for the Alaska Broadband Office at the State of Alaska’s Commerce, Community & Economic Development. Previously she held positions with the Alaska State Legislature from 2015-22, and in the Office of the President at the Central Council Tlingit & Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska. Melissa holds an Associate of Arts and Sciences and Certification in Tribal Management from the University of Alaska Fairbanks.

Melissa is the daughter of Lena Woods and the late Floyd M. Kookesh and is the granddaughter of the late Matthew and Ramona Kookesh. Melissa is Raven Dog Salmon from the Central House in Angoon, and her Tlingit name is X’eetoow.

Melissa’s term ends in 2025.

“It is an honor to serve the shareholders of Kootznoowoo and to be a part of leading the corporation into a new direction of success. Working to make the corporation profitable and one that we can all be proud of has not been an easy task, but we continue to make significant advancements towards our vision.”

MARY JEAN DUNCAN

MARY JEAN DUNCAN

BOARD SECRETARY

Mary Jean Duncan was elected to the Board in 2022. She currently serves as the Board Secretary.

A lifelong resident of Angoon, Mary Jean recently retired from the Chatham School District where she served in multiple positions throughout her 30-year career including as an elementary school teacher and later as the district’s Indian Education Coordinator. In addition, she also is a council member of the Angoon Community Association and has held the position of Treasurer. 

She earned a Bachelor of Arts from Sheldon Jackson College and completed additional training in education technology at the University of Alaska Southeast.

Mary Jean is the daughter of Barbara and Joseph Johnson, Sr. and she is the granddaughter of Maggie Harry, Neechx yaa nas.at of the Kwasshkakwaan clan.

Mary Jean’s term ends in 2025.


It is my sincere desire to work hard for our people in an ethical and effective manner.  I am glad to be a part of the effort to improve the quality of life for our shareholders by creating new opportunities for employment, job training, and higher education.”

ELLA BENNETT

ELLA BENNETT

DIRECTOR

Ella Bennett began her service on the Kootznoowoo Board in 2015.

Throughout her career, Ella has primarily been employed in positions that provided service to the Southeast Alaska Native community. Most recently, she works as an Administrative Assistant at the Tlingit & Haida Community Council and previously was a Records Clerk at Sealaska Corporation where she also worked in the Shareholder Records Department for twenty-seven years. Additionally, Ella was a consultant with Records Management Consulting Services from 2011-2012.

Born in Angoon, Ella is a graduate of Mount Edgecumbe High School. She later earned a Certified Public Manager certification from the University of Alaska Southeast.

Ella has also contributed to the community through appointments to other boards including the Tlingit Haida Housing Authority’s Board of Commissioners where she currently serves as Vice Chair; the Juneau Tlingit Haida Community Council’s Housing Committee; and the Central Council Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska’s Tribal Enrollment Committee. Ella is the daughter of the late Johnnie and Nadja Gamble. 

Ella’s term ends in 2024.

“I believe that the success of our corporation means pursing business ventures, incorporating our cultural and traditional values into our business plans, and embracing a future of success.”

ALBERT HOWARD

ALBERT HOWARD

DIRECTOR

Albert Howard was appointed to the Board in 2021 and 2023.  Previously he served on the Kootznoowoo Board and the Kootznoowoo Cultural & Education from 2015-18.

Albert resides in Angoon, Alaska.  He is currently employed as a seasonal guide and commercial salmon fisherman.

Albert’s term ends in 2024.

SHARON LOVE

SHARON LOVE

DIRECTOR

Sharon Love was re-elected to the Kootznoowoo board in 2023. Previously she served on the Board from 2017-20.

Sharon resides in Douglas, Alaska.  She is currently employed in the Accounting Department at the Alaska Commission on Post Secondary Education.  

Sharon’s term ends in 2026.

“I continue to be a strong advocate for job creation in Angoon.  Over the years, I have spoken with countless shareholders.  I have listened to their frustrations, struggles, and their hopes for Kootznoowoo’s future.  I am proud to take their voices with me into the boardroom.”

Ralph “Chico” Bierely

K-Plaza Building Maintenance Manager

Chico serves as a jack-of-all-trades for the corporation. His main responsibility is overseeing the maintenance and upkeep of the K-Plaza building. However, he provides additional support when needed on a variety of projects. He is based in Juneau.