Aang aang,
As we approach the end of winter and our fiscal year, I am proud of the achievements of the Corporation and staff this past year.
Thank you to our shareholders who attended the Shareholder Meeting and Holiday Reception in December. We had over 250 shareholders and families attend despite the heavy snowfall! Shareholder events serve as a vital platform to meet with you, share updates, and gather feedback – your engagement is fundamental to the Corporation, and I love hearing from you.
In November, we celebrated the premiere of Against All Odds, our documentary that explores the history of the Unangax̂ people, our region, and the creation of The Aleut Corporation. The documentary screening was a celebration of the continuing Unangax̂ legacy and our culture. We are so grateful to all the shareholders and educators who contributed to the documentary. You can watch Against All Odds on our website here.
It is my pleasure to formally welcome Danny Parrish as our new Chief Financial Officer (CFO). Danny joined the Aleut team in November 2023 and has already made a meaningful impact. His experience, insights, and financial acumen are guiding our fiscal strategies and policies as we prepare to close out this fiscal year.
In January, TAC Management presented our strategic vision to the Board for next fiscal year (FY25 starting April 1). Navigating challenges, celebrating successes, and embracing growth have been hallmarks of our recent journey. We have made incredible strides over the last few years to stabilize operations, streamline processes, and hire the right people to help us grow. Part of that assessment was divesting of businesses that were not meeting our financial goals. Because of the incredible hard work of TAC’s team and staff across our subsidiaries, we can now shift our focus from stabilization to growth, using a disciplined and balanced approach.
We are excited about the future to come. We are expanding our capabilities, diversifying lines of business, and evaluating potential acquisitions that fit our growth strategy. TAC remains committed to growing the Corporation as it aligns with our mission: to maximize dividends and opportunities for our shareholders.
We are nearing the end of our fiscal year and are expecting to finish strong. We will be announcing Elder benefits and dividend distribution amounts in early April. Those amounts should reflect our successes and also position the Corporation for growth.
We appreciate your support as we have navigated the changing tides of previous years. Now, we venture forward into the new year, and we look forward to exploring new waters together: We are Unangax̂.
Qaĝaasakung,
Skoey Aachax̂ Vergen
President & CEO
The Aleut Corporation