JUNEAU, AK
(July 21, 2020) –
The Central Council of the Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska (Tlingit & Haida) is pleased to announce the hire of Roald Helgesen as Chief Operating Officer (COO).
As COO, Roald will manage Tlingit & Haida’s administrative and program operations to ensure all activities are carried out consistent with the established goals and objectives of the Tribe’s strategic plan and within the framework of adopted budgets, applicable laws, regulations, policies and procedures.
In this capacity, Roald will act as a liaison with various government and private organizations, represent Tlingit & Haida in business negotiations and will also serve on the Tribe’s Investment Committee for the Tribal Trust Fund, board for the Tlingit & Haida/Hope Condominium Association and tribally-owned enterprises, and as a trustee for the Tribe’s Employee Retirement Plans.
“I am extremely pleased to welcome Roald to Tlingit & Haida’s administrative team,” shared President Richard Chalyee Éesh Peterson. “His wealth of knowledge and experience as well as commitment to serving our communities will not only strengthen the governance of Tlingit & Haida, it will greatly contribute to our efforts to keep the Tribe moving forward and expanding services and opportunities for our tribal citizens.”
Roald graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and Minor in Public Administration from the University of Alaska Anchorage in 1994 and a Master of Science degree in Health Care Administration from Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas.
Roald previously served as the Chief Executive Officer and Hospital Administrator for the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium (ANTHC) and President and CEO of the SouthEast Alaska Regional Health Consortium (SEARHC). Early in his career, he served as a volunteer EMT and firefighter in Sitka where he worked his way up to fire captain, and worked for SEARHC's medevac team.
“I appreciate the hard work and dedication of the Tribe to meet the needs of our tribal citizens," shared Roald. "Building on the successes of the past, the efforts of President Peterson, the Executive Council, Tribal Assembly and staff are positively impacting the lives of our people. I am honored to join the leadership team and excited to support the Tribe’s priority of expanding political and economic sovereignty.”
Roald grew up in Sitka, Alaska. He is Eagle/Frog of the Sgajuuga.ahl clan, an enrolled tribal citizen of Sitka Tribe of Alaska and Tlingit & Haida, and a shareholder of Sealaska Corporation. He is married to Carly Helgesen and together they have two children, Kaare and Karin.
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Media Contact:
Office of the President - Communications
Raeanne Holmes, Communications Coordinator
