By Robert O’Harrow Jr.
Washington Post Staff Writer
Thursday, October 2, 2008; A01

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration had an image problem. For months last year the agency had been pummeled by Congress for poor inspections of tainted vegetables, drugs and other products.

FDA leaders decided to hire a contractor for a public relations campaign that would “create and foster a lasting positive public image of the agency for the American public,” according to agency documents.

A competition, as prescribed by government policy, was not held to get the lowest bid for the $300,000 contract. Instead, FDA officials came up with a plan to ensure the work would go to a Washington public relations firm with ties to the FDA official arranging the deal, according to an examination by The Washington Post.

The plan used a circuitous route around the standard government contracting procedures. The contract was awarded in July to Alaska Newspapers Inc., a firm owned by an Alaska Native corporation that does not have to compete for federal work because it qualifies for special set-asides. The idea was for ANI to hand over the work to Qorvis Communications, the Washington firm, documents show. (more…)

The Doyon Board of Directors selected Doyon shareholder Norm Phillips as their new President and CEO. Mr. Phillips is originally from Rampart, Alaska and a graduate of University of Alaska, Fairbanks with a B.S. degree in Geological Engineering. He has been working for Doyon for the last 20 years in the Lands and Natural Resources department. According to the Doyon press release, Phillips says,

“I am proud that Doyon is headquartered in Fairbanks, on the north bank of the Chena River, my hometown. I appreciate this opportunity to work with the board and the excellent management team we have in place throughout the Doyon Family of Companies. And I confident that Doyon will continue to grow and prosper.”

NANA will providing a one-time dividend to their shareholders to commemorate its 35th anniversary. The dividend is $9 per share and will be paid April 11 to more than 11,400 shareholders.

The source of this money comes from two factors coinciding at the same time. As Zinc prices increase, so is Nana’s share of their Red Dog mine profits. Just as recent as November, they paid their largest ever dividend of $15/share.

Of course, through the ANCSA 7(i) agreement – all Alaska Native shareholders will benefit. This unique “sharing” provision in ANCSA is just one of the many aspects that differentiate ANCs from other for-profit corporations.

Past president of Doyon was elected to the Doyon board of directors as a write-in candidate.

Read the article from the Fairbanks News-Minor here.

News broke last week that President and CEO of Doyon, Orie Williams announced his resignation at a board meeting. Williams served as President for Nearly six years.

As you can read in the following article of the “Fairbanks Daily News – Miner”, there has not been any reason given for his departure.

Doyon plans to name interim president and CEO next month

By Eric Lidji
Published December 13, 2007

Doyon, Limited plans to name an interim president and CEO in January, and start immediately searching for a permanent replacement for the position, the company announced Wednesday. (more…)