Message from the Chairman

BOARD OF DIRECTORS A Message From The Chairman

Everything has changed in the past year. Entire nations have shut down, COVID vaccines have been rapidly developed and rolled out, and businesses around the world have had to adjust to lockdown and increasingly virtual environments. During this difficult time, I can think of no better person to guide CVRF than ERIC DEAKIN. In his first year as CEO, he has embodied a new vision for our organization and a new kind of leadership based on engagement, partnership and trust. I am immensely grateful for the work he has done in the last year to lead the organization, protect our staff and serve our communities.

Our staff should also be commended for all their hard work in 2020. Everyone — from the CSRs in our communities to the staff in the Anchorage office to the crew onboard our Bering Sea fleet — helped make that difficult year a success. I also want to give a special shoutout to our Seattle staff, including MIKE COLEMAN and LORENA ROSENBERGER. They went above and beyond to manage our fleet and ensure safety onboard our vessels. Thanks to their careful planning, our crew was safe and healthy throughout the year. It’s also worth noting that Lorena and Mike celebrated their 10-year work anniversaries in 2020. Congratulations to both!

Despite the challenges of the past year, we still have much to celebrate and be grateful for this year and in the years to come. New partnerships, such as those with Honda and the Bristol Bay Economic Development Corporation (BBEDC), will provide additional benefits to the more than 9,300 residents in our region. We are also working on several other partnerships with Alaskan organizations, which we hope to announce soon so that members of our communities can begin to reap the rewards of these efforts. Additionally, Eric is helping to revitalize the Western Alaska Community Development Association (WACDA) so that all CDQs can work together and create benefits for all Alaska communities, not just those in our region.

Most of all, we are excited about the potential these partnerships and programs have to help lift up our fellow Alaskans and create new opportunities. Examples of this include good jobs for our youth, additional training and support via scholarships and our Honda program, added housing options through our Tiny House program, and much more. Crab caught and sold as part of the 3% CDQ quota secured in our deal with BBEDC will result in revenue that goes directly to our communities, allowing them to decide where those funds are needed most and what to do with them. This revenue could be a reliable long-term resource for tribal organizations, giving them fuel to stimulate economic development in the region.

I look forward to working with Eric and my fellow board members in the years to come to create even more opportunities for CVRF and our communities.

Richard Jung, CHAIRMAN

COASTAL VILLAGES REGION FUND

Despite the challenges of 2020, we still have much to celebrate and be grateful for this year and in the years to come.

RICHARD JUNG, CHAIRMAN

COASTAL VILLAGES REGION FUND