NANA hires senior VP, Tuuq Drilling pres

NANA Jan. 19 announced the hiring of two key executives heading into the new year – Sarah Lukin now serves as senior vice president and chief administration officer at NANA Regional Corp., and Kevin Aubertin joins NANA's Commercial Group as the president of Tuuq Drilling.

Lukin, who officially began her tenure at NANA on Jan. 7, will provide strategic leadership in a broad range of functions, including leading external and government affairs, corporate communications, corporate administration, corporate operations and regional sustainability. Lukin has more than 18 years of experience working with businesses across the U.S. and Canada, including her previous role as chief operating officer for Pt Capital, LLC, and senior vice president of corporate affairs for Afognak Native Corp. Lukin earned her bachelor's and master's degrees from the University of Alaska, and a certificate in Alaska Native executive leadership from Alaska Pacific University.

"As a key member of the executive leadership team, Sarah will take the lead on many critical issues and initiatives, and will work closely with me and the board of directors to support NANA's broader mission and objectives," said NANA President and CEO Wayne Westlake.

Tuuq Drilling, owned by NANA Development Corp., brought Aubertin on in Dec. 2018 to strengthen the drilling company's business performance for sustainability and growth. Tuuq Drilling provides drilling services in the mining industry, most notably in the 38,000-square-mile NANA region in Alaska's Arctic. The company specializes in drilling solutions for mineral exploration and geotechnical investigation in arctic conditions.

Aubertin comes to Tuuq Drilling with diverse experience in global business organizations including Canada-based Tonto Drilling Services, Nevada-based Coates Drilling and the joint ventures of NANA-Coates and NANA-Dynatec. Most recently, Aubertin was the project management superintendent for Major Drilling America. These companies provided Aubertin the opportunity and challenge to work on and lead projects in Africa, Alaska, Canada, Mexico, Russia, South America and locations in the Lower 48. Aubertin's drilling operations and leadership experience includes mineral exploration, mine development, coal bed methane, as well as geotechnical and geothermal projects.

"With over 40 years of experience in drilling operations and management, Kevin brings tremendous expertise to our company to deliver on our strategy to effectively sustain and grow Tuuq Drilling," said NANA Commercial Group President John Hendrix.

NANA is an Alaska Native corporation whose mission is to enrich the lives of its more than 14,400 shareholders across the globe. As the owner of a diversified holding company with business holdings in the federal and commercial groups, NANA works to maximize economic growth, protect and enhance its lands, and promote healthy communities with decisions, actions, and behaviors inspired by the Iñupiat Ilitqusiat values.

–SHANE LASLEY