Akutan • Atka • False Pass • Nelson Lagoon • Nikolski • St. George • Unalaska

Board of Directors

 

Representing Akutan - Hugh Pelkey
Hugh Pelkey is a fourth generation crabber, salmon and longline commercial fisherman. His business enterprises include owning the F/V High Roller (which he uses to harvest the the afore mentioned resources), owning and operating a commercial dive service, and ferrying pilots for the Alaska Marine Pilots Association to and from merchant vessels. Hugh serves as the President of the Akutan Fisheries Association. He is currently a director for the Akutan Corporation, as well as a board member for APICDA and AJV. A licensed Unangan (Aleut) Artist, Hugh also enjoys volunteering his time with various Aleutian Region development projects. On a personal note, Hugh comes from a traditional subsistence lifestyle of hunting, fishing and gathering. He is of Aleutian, Scottish and Finnish descent.

 

Representing Atka - Mark Snigaroff
In 2006 APICDA welcomed Mark Snigaroff back to the board; Mark first served on the board from 1992-1994. Mark was born and raised in the community of Atka and he attended the University of Alaska Fairbanks in the late 1970s.

Mark served as president of the Axtam Corporation for 8 years and as president of the Atka Village Council for 10 years. He served many years on the Aleutian Pribilof Islands Association board and served as Vice President of the Atka Fishermen’s Association in 1984. Mark also spent 4 years on the Aleut Marine Mammal Commission and also served on the Alaska Native Harbor Seal Commission in 2003.

Mark was honored by the Aleut Corporation in 2006 as Shareholder of the Year for his involvement, leadership and contributions to his community and region. In his free time, Mark enjoys subsistence hunting and fishing.

 

Representing False Pass - Gilda Shellikoff
Gilda has served as Chair of the APICDA Board since the inception of the CDQ group in 1992. Gilda grew up in Alaska, she was born in Morzhovoi Village (about 5 miles from False Pass), her family moved to False Pass in the early 1950s and she has called False Pass her home ever since. She attended college in Alaska, Washington and Oregon and received her BA in Rural Development with an emphasis in Small Business Administration from the University of Alaska Fairbanks.

Gilda is an avid photographer and enjoys capturing the beauty of the region in which she lives. In a worldwide photo contest, with over 30,000 entries, Gilda’s photograph received recognition for making the top 10% out of all entries.

Gilda spent over 20 years working in various positions for Peter Pan Seafood’s Cannery and Store and was also the first health aide in False Pass. Gilda is currently the Administrator for the False Pass Tribal Council. In addition to serving as Chair of the APICDA Board, Gilda has served on several other boards around Alaska including the Aleut Corporation, Aleut League, Alaska Federation of Natives, Alaska Inter-Tribal Council, Southwest Municipal Conference, Kodiak/Aleutians Subsistence Advisory Council, False Pass Fishermen’s Association, the local school advisory committee and the local fishery advisory board. Gilda received special recognition for serving on the Kodiak/Aleutian Subsistence Advisory Council for 8 years and in 2002 she received special recognition for her 10 years of dedicated service to the APICDA Board.

 

Representing Nelson Lagoon - Justine Gundersen
Justine is the Secretary/Treasurer for the APICDA Board. She has served on the board since the inception of the group in 1992. Justine attended college in Minnesota and lived in New York, Iowa, California and Mexico City before migrating to Alaska in the 1970s.

Justine began her involvement in politics when she moved to the region. In addition to serving on the APICDA Board, Justine also serves on the Aleutians East Borough Assembly, the local fishermen’s association, as well as various Nelson Lagoon advisory committees. Justine has now lived in the Lagoon for over 30 years, has been a commercial fisherwoman for that time, and is currently the Council Administrator for the Tribe and Corporation.

Justine is a painter and has had her work displayed in art shows in Seattle. She has also taught yoga and is a very strong advocate for the teaching of music and dance, and she loves to read.

Representing Nikolski - Andrew Lestenkof Jr.
Andrew Lestenkof Jr. is a full blooded Unangan (Aleut) with family ties in the Pribilofs as well as Nikolski. Andrew has resided in Nikolski for the majority of his life and takes part in all community events. He is currently employed through the Nikolski IRA working mostly with the local power plant, pump house and delivering fuel. Andrew loves to fish, hunt and explore! He loves to donate his time and help others in the village when needed. You can usually see Andrew out on the water, wandering the land or working on a four wheeler. Andrew is pleased and excited to serve as a Board of Director for the APICDA family.

Representing St. George - Patrick Pletnikoff
Pat was born and raised on St. George Island. He has served on the APICDA board for the last 2 years and is President of the St. George Fishermen’s Association. Pat is a longtime fisherman and now skippers the F/V Nightrider.

Pat was the Executive Director for the Aleutian Pribilof Islands Association from 1976-1982; he served as president of the corporation and Chairman of the board for Tanaq Corporation in the late 1970s; and he also served on the board for the Aleutian Housing Authority. Pat studied Political Science at the University of Washington and the University of Colorado.

Pat is an avid reader and outdoorsman and loves hunting the reindeer on his home island.

 

Representing Unalaska - Emil Berikoff
Emil was born in Wrangell in 1945 and was immediately relocated to Unalaska. He is one of the 50% that survived relocation at that time. Emil has been very involved in his community and region throughout the years. He has served on the APICDA board since 1995 and has served on numerous other boards throughout the years including the Aleut Corporation, Ounalashka Corporation (serving as president in the 1970s and 1980s), and the State of Alaska Fish and Game Advisory Board. Emil also taught high school fisheries in the 1970s, has been a volunteer firefighter for 30 years and worked as the administrator for Qawalangin Tribe from 1994-1995.

Today Emil and his wife, Mary, own and operate Broadbay Adventures, which is a remote camping destination just outside of Dutch Harbor that offers various outdoor activities.

 

Representing the Seafood Industry - Rick Lauber
Rick Lauber, our Seafood Industry board representative, is a veteran of the U.S. Navy as well as an attorney and former Alaska District Court Judge (1959-1967). He served as the Director of the Alaska Youth and Adult Authority (currently referred to as the Dept. of Corrections), Deputy Commissioner of the Department of Health and Welfare, special assistant to the Governor and was the Original Executive Director of the Alaska Criminal Justice Commission. In 1969, he accepted a position as the Alaska Manager / Vice President of the Pacific Seafood Processors Association, where he remained for 29 years. His distinguished career includes 33 years of service on Fisheries boards and commissions, including the North Pacific Fishery Commission (1972-1985, 1988-1993), North Pacific Anadromous Fish Commission (1993-1995) and Central Bering Sea Conference (1996-1997). He was appointed to the original Advisory Panel of the North Pacific Fishery Management Council in 1976, where he served until he was appointed to the Council in January 1990. He was elected chairman of the NPFMC in March, 1991 and reelected nine times. Rick has traveled worldwide and has been a critical force in international seafood negotiations. Rick is a member of many community organizations and has received numerous recognition and awards throughout his career.

 

Financial Institution Representative - Pete Crandall
Pete Crandall is the financial representative on the APICDA Board of Directors. Pete graduated from the University of Colorado with a BA in History and English Literature. He served as a Captain in the United States Army, is a Vietnam veteran and has been awarded the bronze star. He is the former Senior Vice President and Regional Administrator for Southeast Alaska with National Bank of Alaska/Wells Fargo. He spent 30 years with NBA/Wells Fargo. Pete is now retired and is proud to be serving on the APICDA Board representing the communities of our region.