Face to Face
Mike Carter
Alaska Native Program Manager
Published December 2002

What does the Alaska Native Program Manager do?

My job is to make sure that we, at Alyeska, are meeting the goals that are spelled out in the Alaska Native Utilization Agreement (ANUA). This is an agreement between Alyeska and the U.S. Department of Interior. As a basic, the agreement sets a goal for 2004 to attain and maintain a 20 percent Alaska Native hire and utilization rate.

Where did this agreement come from?

The agreement was signed in 1995 and revised in 1998 and 2001. It was based on an original commitment that was part of the federal right-of-way agreement. Unfortunately, it fell through the cracks and only came to light again in the early to mid 1990s. Now, the agreement is reviewed and revisited every three years. Today the chance of this commitment falling through the cracks is virtually zero.

How did you arrive at this job?

I moved to this position last May from another position within Alyeska, but this job was always interesting to me. I retired from the Air Force in 1993, after 20 years. I flew C-141s during the Vietnam era then transitioned to software development and other computer/communications work later. I was born in Fort Yukon and raised in Fairbanks. I’m a Doyon shareholder – my heritage is Yupik and a mix of other nationalities (my Mom used to say Heinz 57). I inherited stock in Bristol Bay Native Corporation and Ahtna. The opportunity to assist in Alaska Native hire and retention is a good fit for me. I think it’s really important that Alyeska meet its commitments to the Alaska Native community.

What does your job involve?

A lot of my work is in developing and maintaining relationships inside and outside of Alyeska; to make sure people understand the program. I keep track of numbers and percentages and I encourage managers and supervisors to understand where we’re at as a company, where they’re at as a unit and to understand Alyeska’s commitments.

Is Alyeska meeting its Native hire goals?

Our goal for 2002 was 17 percent and we’re now at roughly 18.5 percent. Our goal for 2003 is 19 percent and 2004 is 20 percent. Even when we do hit 20 percent, that doesn’t mean we’re done because the number is always fluctuating. Our commitment is to maintain 20 percent and to maintain an environment that is conducive to retaining Alaska Natives as well as others.

Has the environment changed at Alyeska?

Through the 1980s and early ‘90s, neither Alyeska nor Alaska Native leadership paid attention to the commitment, so the percentage was a lot lower than it was supposed to be. Within the last five years, there’s been a reawakening within Alyeska about the employment commitment as well as the need to be culturally sensitive. Alyeska has, in general, done pretty well in turning this particular corner.