Juneau, Alaska—The Goldbelt Board of Directors elected new officers after the unanticipated resignation of Board Chair, Del Cesar, who was recently elected to the position by his fellow board members.  

“Unfortunately, due to health reasons, I am not able to continue the hectic pace required of the Chairman of the Board,” said Cesar.  “I am grateful to have been given this opportunity, and it is with regret that I must step down at this time.”  Though resigning his position as Board Chair, Cesar will continue serving the remaining two years of his term as a Director.

 Following his announcement, the Board convened and elected Karen A. Taug as the new Chair.  Taug, who recently began serving her second term as a board member, was re-elected by shareholders at the Corporation’s 37^th Annual Meeting on June 4, 2011. 

 “During this time of transition for Goldbelt, I realize that the board faces many challenges and I look forward to this opportunity to serve our shareholders and the other Board members in this leadership role,” said Taug.

 In the reorganization of officers, Kathy Polk was elected to replace Taug as Board Treasurer.  Trudy Skan will continue her position as Corporate Secretary as will Randy Wanamaker as Vice Chair.  Other members of the nine-member Board of Directors include Andrea Cadiente-Laiti, Ben Coronell, Katherine Eldemar and Joe Kahklen.

For Immediate Release
June 28, 2011

Goldbelt, Inc.—Board of Directors Appoints Interim President/CEO

Juneau, Alaska—the Board of Directors of Goldbelt, Inc., Juneau’s urban-based native corporation has appointed Elliott (Chuck) Wimberly to the position of Interim President/CEO. He is replacing outgoing President/CEO, J. Gary Droubay who is retiring at the end of June.

Wimberly has extensive experience with Alaska Native/Native American companies and also in international business. Most recently, in May 2010, he began serving as Vice President of Government Services for Goldbelt working out of the corporation’s Herndon, Virginia office. Later, he also took on the additional position of President of Goldbelt Raven, which is one of the corporation’s twelve 8(a) subsidiaries.

“I appreciate the opportunity to serve Goldbelt’s shareholders and I look forward to continuing to support the Board and working with the corporation’s employees,” said Wimberly. “As we move forward in this time of transition, I will continue to work towards strengthening our businesses and seeking new ways to provide services and opportunities for our shareholders.”

Prior to joining Goldbelt, Wimberly held the position of President of Shee Atika’, Sitka’s Alaska Native Corporation. He was also the Vice President of Corporate Development and Government Relations for the Southern Ute Tribe in Durango, Colorado and served as Vice President of Business Development and Government Relations for GF Private Equity Group. In addition, Wimberly has more than 25 years experience in government service, having retired from the U.S. intelligence community.

Wimberly earned a Masters of Business Administration from Friends University in Wichita, Kansas and also has a Bachelor’s of Science in Biology from Louisiana State University-Baton Rouge.

Wimberly will hold the position of Interim President/CEO until the Board of Directors completes its search for a permanent replacement for Droubay.

Press Contact:
Lisa-Marie Ikonomov
Goldbelt, Inc.
(907) 790-1445
Lisa-Marie.Ikonomov@goldbelt.com

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Following are the 37th Annual Meeting of Shareholders – Results for the 2011 Board of Directors Election:

June 1, 2011

 Goldbelt, Inc.—President and Chief Executive Officer, Gary Droubay Announces Retirement

 Juneau, Alaska—Goldbelt, Inc., the Alaska Native Urban Corporation for Juneau, announced today that it has initiated a search for a new chief executive officer. According to the Board of Directors, long-time President and CEO Gary Droubay recently announced his intent to step down effective June 30, 2011.

 “In the time that I have been with Goldbelt, it has been my pleasure to serve the shareholders of this corporation,” said Droubay.  “My experience here has been challenging and also rewarding and I leave with great respect for Goldbelt’s dedicated employees.”  Droubay joined Goldbelt in 1998 as its Chief Financial Officer and was promoted by the Board to the position of President and CEO in 2000.

 In the difficult years following September 11, 2001, Goldbelt incurred losses following the downturn in the independent tourism market. Droubay and the Board of Directors developed an economic turnaround plan that Droubay then implemented divesting Goldbelt of unprofitable ventures and focusing on rebuilding and returning the Company to profitability, primarily through participation in the Small Business Administration’s 8(a) program.

 The Juneau-based company has reported net earnings for seven years in a row and paid dividends to its shareholders consecutively for the last four years.

 According to the Board, Mr. Droubay leaves Goldbelt with a strong and experienced management team fully capable of guiding the corporation’s government contracting and other business operations.  “We thank Gary for his leadership these past thirteen years,” said Board Chairman Randy Wanamaker.  “We wish him the best as he retires and we are appreciative of all that he has accomplished.”

 Goldbelt employs approximately 187 people in Juneau, and has government contracting operations and employees working in most of the 50 states.

Congratulations to the winners! 

See you at the 37th Annual Meeting of Shareholders on June 4th at the Tlingit & Haida Community Center in Juneau, Alaska.  The meeting starts at 9am and will include a breakfast buffet, door prizes and  more!

The Goldbelt Heritage Foundation presents:

The Path to Excellence Academy, an 11 day summer program for high school students (entering grades 9-12) who are interested in blending academic learning with Traditional Ecological Knowledge.  The Academy will be held at the University of Alaska Southeast campus in Juneau, Alaska from July 5-15, 2011.  Interested applicants must apply by May 20, 2011 to be considered.  Space is limited so apply early.

For more information, contact the Jasmine Jackson at the Goldbelt Heritage Foundation at (907) 790-1464 or via email at Jasmine.Jackson@goldbelt.com. 

Click here to download an application.

It’s that time of year again…time to vote for the open board seats at the next Annual Meeting of Shareholders.  Three board seats are open. 

If you haven’t received your proxy ballot, they are available at the Goldbelt Corporate Headquarters, or you can receive one my email or USPS by calling 1-800-770-5866 or 907-790-1445.  Or, click here to download a blank proxy.

Click here to download a copy of the 2011 Proxy Statement.