Orie Williams returns to Doyon board of directors
Published Sunday, March 16, 2008
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Stumble It!Orie Williams, the former president of Doyon Ltd., was elected to the corporation’s board of directors as a write-in candidate Friday.
Following a vote by the board in December, Williams resigned as president of the Native corporation after six years of service. Neither Williams nor Doyon executives have publicly discussed his departure, though an internal memo circulated soon afterward said that the corporation had “chosen a new path.”
“I appreciate the support and prayers from all the Doyon shareholders,” Williams said in a statement following the election. “I am positive we can, as a united board of directors, work to continue to instill pride, respect and positive guidance for our employees, managers, partners and customers.”
While campaigning, Williams pledged to streamline the corporation’s governing structure and transfer more authority from the board of directors to smaller boards.
Williams’ candidacy was championed by a group of shareholders known as Friends of Doyon, which has advocated more transparency from the 13-member board. Teisha Simmons, another write-in candidate supported by the group, did not get enough votes to be elected to the board, but was pleased with the results.
“So many shareholders are so much more aware of the corporation,” she said “They feel empowered.”
The departure of Williams surprised many shareholders and caused them to pay closer attention to this election.
“People knew how passionate he was about Doyon,” Simmons said. “They knew he loved working for the shareholders. When they found out there was no legitimate reason he resigned and he was forced out, they lost faith in the board’s decisions.”
Though Williams and the board of directors might have disagreed about the direction of Doyon in the past, after his swearing-in ceremony, Simmons said everyone seemed willing to work together for the good of the company.
“Confidence in our corporation and our leaders is being rebuilt in a very good manner,” she said.
Laverne Schafer, organizer of Friends of Doyon, also was pleased with the results of the election and the annual meeting. She’s encouraged that the board will act in a more open manner in the future.
“I think sometimes it takes something bad to happen to make something good happen,” she said.
Laywers from Doyon Ltd. filed an official complaint with the state Division of Banking and Securities earlier this year suggesting that the name Friends of Doyon constituted trademark infringement. Schafer said that she thinks Doyon is going to drop the issue, but in the future Friends of Doyon may have to run candidates using a different name.
“We’re going to continue to campaign,” she said. “We want to see people get in there who are really going to make a difference.”
The other new member of the board elected Friday is Fort Yukon Mayor Jerry Carroll. Board members Andy Jimmie, Victor Nicholas and Georgianna Lincoln were re-elected to three-year terms by shareholders. Miranda Wright was chosen as the new chair of the board.
Contact staff writer Chris Freiberg at 459-7545.
Community Discussion
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Congratulations to Orie and all those who worked so tirelessly to get him back on the Board where he belongs! Now let's get to work to once again unify our corporation and move ahead in a positive way! A word of advise to all of you on the Board----be careful about the decisions that are made which impact the land and ways of life for many people. Think about the big picture and not just the immediate needs of today's society. Our children will need these lands to be healthy for years to come and only we can protect them from environmental ruin!
Hello I'm from Minto I read some comments, and they look as though some of you don't care. If so, than can you keep your opions to yourselves on that, because The meaning to the word Doyon means respected, Our chiefs recieved this name in great respect,and thats how we identified our leaders.they provide for their people. Doyon happens to be very valuable to our people. Thanks Daily Newsminer for this comment space, and to Orrie welcome back!
Dear Mintoak:
I can’t agree more regarding your comments about respect. The battles are now behind us and we should move forward. Yesterday I asked that comments be presented in a more positive manner. Evidently AKNATUFF didn’t get the hint. As I’ve said in previous posts, I am not trying to discourage anyone from expressing their opinions as that is a right that I fully support. However, I believe the manner in which the opinions are expressed should be a bit more professional. AKNATUFF is accusing unknown parties related to Doyon of being crooks. I believe that shows disrespect toward Doyon and all of its shareholders and I have recommended that his posts be removed.
WHO CARES??????
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