Aleut Corporation shareholders reelect Samuelson Nelson, Lekanof and Bourdukofsky

Aleut Corporation shareholders reelected three incumbent directors Saturday at the corporation's 54th annual meeting in Bellevue, Washington, returning board chairperson Jenifer Samuelson Nelson, secretary Anthony Lekanof and director Tara Bourdukofsky over six challengers in the nine-candidate race Alaska News reported on Sept. 22.

Samuelson Nelson, on the board since 2008, led with 127,493 shares. Lekanof, first elected in 2020, drew 86,734. Bourdukofsky, serving since 2002, drew 84,092. Directors serve three-year terms on the nine-member board and are paid $2,500 a month, or $30,000 a year, the corporation says.

Julie Toomey finished fourth with 58,986 shares. Alexandra Philemonoff, who also placed fourth in 2025, followed with 50,522. John Melovidov drew 48,036, Sarah Stepetin 35,701, David Foster 31,036 and Shaun Stark 9,221.

The incumbents campaigned on the corporation's record. Aleut's candidate page says it went from an $11 million loss in fiscal 2021 to a $37 million profit in fiscal 2024 and reached $415 million in revenue in fiscal 2026, $20 million above the prior year.

Toomey, a former executive director of The Aleut Foundation, wrote that Aleut should ensure "shareholder benefits grow at least as fast as our revenue." Melovidov, who chairs the Aleut Community of St. Paul Island, wrote: "We must strive to do better at supporting our communities' economies in collaboration with our tribes and village corporations."

Of 297,736 shares, 182,675 voted, or 61.4%.

Starting with the 2027 election, a board committee will interview every candidate, and the board may name up to three "Board-Recognized Candidates" in voting materials. Aleut calls the label information, not an endorsement.

Shareholders submitted questions on dividends, the $1,000 Elders Distribution, board pay and the Washington venue. Aleut says it will post answers to questions received during the meeting online within two weeks.

The meeting also honored Bonita Babcock of King Cove as Shareholder of the Year and Akutan School teacher Karen Ravenscroft as Student of the Year.