Natives of Kodiak, Inc. is pleased to announce Monica James as its incoming President & Chief Executive Officer, effective October 17, 2022. Ms. James is a seasoned executive with expertise in business development, financial management, and organizational transformation. She has served in key leadership roles in several for-profit arenas including federal contracting, commercial markets, aerospace, and within Alaska Native Corporations.
Most recently, Ms. James served as the Chief Operating Officer at the Aleut Corporation. During her distinguished career, Ms. James has also held senior-level executive positions at Calista Corporation, including service as Executive Vice President & Chief Operations Officer, where she was responsible for leading and directing federal contracting subsidiaries to carry out the corporation’s visions, goals, and policies to maximize profitability and achieve financial targets designed to provide shareholder benefits.
Ms. James has also served as President of Yulista Holding LLC where she oversaw multiple subsidiaries and was a part of a proposal team that won competitive 8(a) contract award valued at over $4B. In addition, Ms. James has served as the Vice President of Business Operations and Administration for Alaska Aerospace, which owns and operates the Pacific Spaceport Complex.
“It is truly an honor to have the opportunity to work on behalf of the shareholders of Natives of Kodiak in this leadership role,” said Ms. James. “I look forward to working with the NOK Board of Directors, highly capable and dedicated executive team and NOK’s subsidiary management staff to help grow and strengthen the corporation’s businesses and profitability.”
Ms. James, a shareholder of the Calista Corporation and Bethel Native Corporation, holds a bachelor’s degree in Accounting from the University of Alaska. She was raised in Bethel, Alaska and has family ties to Alakanuk. A mother of two grown children, in her free time Ms. James enjoys hunting and fishing with her family and holds a strong commitment to community as demonstrated through board service at several Alaska-based nonprofit organizations including Abused Women in Crisis, the Resource Development Council, Alaska Small Business Development Center, and Girl Scouts of Alaska.
