E-News Bulletin February 2010

Vol. 4, No 2   |   February 25, 2010

President's Perspective: Celebrating Our Successes

As Iñupiaq people we are humble. However, as a company, and as individuals, it is important to celebrate successes and to celebrate accomplishments. Too often a personal or organizational award or even something as simple as a job well done is something we accept, and then move on to the next task. Not only does this diminish what has been achieved, but it can hinder our ability to do it again.

Recognition of the efforts of our companies and the tremendously talented people who work for us is something to celebrate, and something to feel good about. Reflecting on what went well can also help create a road map for new achievements. In this E-News Bulletin, and the last one, there are several examples of NANA employees and companies winning awards and achieving goals.

Below you will read about WHPacific's highly regarded American River Pump Station and Restoration Project, as well as a branch of the firm winning a 2010 Engineering Excellence Award. In an E-News Bulletin earlier this month you read about NANA Services managed Anderson Mess Hall winning the prestigious W.P.T. Hill Award recognizing excellence in food service in conjunction with improving the quality of life for Marine Corps personnel stationed at Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii. This is just a sample of the good work NANA companies and people do.

Achieving growth and success is what drives NANA. However it is important that we enjoy and celebrate the steps along the way. Not only does it make the office more fun, it helps all of us learn from successes, which can help other NANA employees and companies achieve their own goals and win their own awards.

As we look to diversify and expand our businesses and grow from a billion dollar company to a $10 billion one we need all the successes we can muster. And I am convinced if we all take a little time to reflect on our successes it will help us meet that goal.

Sincerely,

Helvi Sandvik
President
NANA Development Corporation

Qivliq Keeps Business Going During Blizzard

Thirty-five inches of snow couldn't keep Virginia-based Qivliq employees from doing business. While a blizzard blanketed the East Coast and Washington D.C., Qivliq's human resources department says approximately 400 of its employees in the DC Metro area were able to telecommute during two massive winter storms. While the blizzard caused an historic shut down of the U.S. Federal Government, Qivliq had people hard at work from their homes.

While Qivliq follows federal policies and shut down its own corporate offices, 400 employees who represent more than 70 percent of its DC-based workforce continued with business from home and remote offices. The Qivliq companies are experts in telecommunications, information, technology, program management, construction management, facility operations and operations support.

"We're used to working virtually and had a day to prepare for the storm and bring home our computers and necessary files. Our goal was to keep employees connected, and with access to the virtual private network (VPN), email, and web conferencing the majority of our management team and exempt employees didn't miss a beat," said Maureen Huggins, Qivliq's director of corporate administration and communication.

Travis Fuels -

The 60th Logistics Readiness Squadron's Fuels Management Flight recently captured the American Petroleum Institute's Award for best fuels flight in the Air Force. The Akima fuels management team at Travis Air Force Base, located in California, provides critical support to the unit. It manages more than 71 million gallons of fuel pumped annually at that location. This makes Travis the fifth busiest refueling operation in the Air Force.

"The award is the result of the flight focusing on training, job proficiency and excellence on a daily basis," said Flight Leader Chief Master Sergeant Joseph Cabral.

The jet fuel demand at Travis averages 200,000 to 300,000 gallons a day. In the past year, more than 8,000 refueling operations occurred with zero, that's right zero, mishaps on the flightline, as well as no fuel spills or launch delays.

During a time of financial belt tightening, a Defense Energy Support Center audit of the flight's $42 million account led to zero findings. The auditor stated it was "... the best account I've seen in 30 years."

WHPacific Wins ASCE-California Project of the Year Award

WHPacific won the Project of the Year award from the American Society of Civil Engineers California region. WHPacific's winning project provided an innovative water diversion design for the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation's American River Pump Station and Restoration Project.

The $76 million project is designed to supply American River water to Placer County, while restoring the American River to its natural channel.  It combines a whitewater channel that allows recreational use with an adjacent underground diversion structure built into the river bottom. The project reduces sedimentation while providing for the safe passage of fish and recreational watercraft.

"This project returned three miles of river to the public, and Placer County Water Agency (PCWA) regained access to a critical water supply," said PCWA Deputy Director of Technical Services Brent Smith.

The company received the honor during an awards ceremony on Feb 9^th. Congratulations to the WHPacific team, including Brian Chevalier, Bill Kendall, Bill Taggart, Mike Galuzzi and Ellen Haverl (DNV) and all who worked on the project for this great honor!

In New Mexico, WHPacific Recognized with a 2010 Engineering Excellence Award

WHPacific has been recognized with another 2010 Engineering Excellence Award, this time by the American Council of Engineering Companies of New Mexico for Best Small Project. Titled Sunset Pond: The Innovative Art of Flood Control, the project represents an evolution in flood control facility design for the Southern Sandoval County Arroyo Flood Control Authority.

While the pond provides flood protection by reducing downstream runoff by 92 percent, the award committee was also impressed with the watershed park concept, "Storm Henge" structure, and the community value of the project.

WHPacific worked with local artists to utilize unique, hand-placed stones as a functional part of the drainage system that was also visually appealing. Pedestrian and bicycle trails, native habitat restoration, open space preservation, and sites for future recreation facilities were incorporated to enhance the community's quality of life. Interpretive signs were also placed at the Educational Plaza and around pedestrian access points to promote environmental stewardship and inform the public about how storm water is managed in their area.

The Engineering Excellence Awards (EEA) are presented annually to pay tribute to New Mexico's most prestigious and distinguished engineering projects.

Good Teamwork Makes for a Successful Transition at Wolverine Services

Wolverine Services became part of Akima Management Services (AMS) in October. The support staff at AMS quickly made a difference in company operations through impacts to the two largest Wolverine contracts - National Institutes of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) and Fort Greely.

Wolverine phased-in the facilities operations and maintenance contract for NIOSH in July. Shortly after the contract start, the two union contracts were up for renegotiation. Christine Bishofberger and Chuck Murtorff quickly started working with the program manager, John Bedner, and Wolverine president, Carol Ann Bartz, to open effective negotiations with both unions. Reducing costs was critical to maintaining staffing levels at NIOSH. Christine was able to work with union representatives to identify an agreement where employee health benefits remained high, while simultaneously reducing overall contract costs. The resulting agreements have met customer expectations and will help ensure Wolverine performance on the contract through its four-and-a-half-year duration.

Shortly after NIOSH union agreements were obtained, representatives from Akima Facilities Management and AMS assisted Carol Ann with the quick proposal development, negotiations, and phase-in of the Fort Greely Base Operations Support Bridge contract.  The group worked through the holiday season. With the expertise and support from AMS, Wolverine is on track for great expansion through 2010. This is what teamwork is all about!

DID YOU KNOW? NANA Pacific Plays a Key Role in Homeland Defense and Civil Support Communications

As part of an 8-year contract, NANA Pacific designs, deploys, and maintains  communications for the U.S. Northern Command (USNORTHCOM) and their homeland defense and civil support operations. USNORTHCOM - which is comprised of civil service employees and uniformed military service members representing all branches - is known for its relief operations during disasters due to hurricanes, floods, and earthquakes.

Currently, NANA Pacific has a team of employees ready to deploy to Haiti to support the military by providing mobile, communications systems such as satellite based laptops and cell phones.  The Interoperable Communications Extension Systems (ICE-S) provide communications for the first responders and can be mobilized to restore communications to impacted areas.

"Our dedicated team is experienced in playing a critical role in military missions and responding to emergency events," said Scott Dufaud, director of NANA Pacific's Colorado operations.

NANA Pacific Hires Howard Hankerson as Director of Business Development

Howard Hankerson joined NANA Pacific, LLC in January as the director of business development and acquisitions. Headquartered in the Virginia office, Howard provides support for the entire company by offering more than 20 years of corporate experience in business and strategic partnership development and operations; contract administration; and compliance in federal, state and public arenas.

"With a results-oriented, business capture approach - combined with executive-level organizational experience, Howard has been instrumental in assisting a number of large and small businesses navigate successfully in the government procurement process," says Joe Mathis, president of NANA Pacific.

Howard received a political appointment to the 21-member bipartisan Federal Glass Ceiling Commission created by Title II of the Civil Rights Act of 1991. He also serves as a director of several non-profit organizations.

NANA Shareholder Josie Coppock Returns to Red Dog Mine

NANA shareholder Josie Coppock is glad to be back working for Teck at Red Dog Mine, where she started her role as human resources administrator on Jan. 28th. Teck and Red Dog have provided her with both on-the-job skills and a bachelor's degree in business and psychology from Eastern Oregon University. And now she is looking forward to helping other NANA shareholders with educational and employment opportunities.

Originally from Kotzebue, Josie first worked at Red Dog mine in 1998 as a kitchen helper for NMS. She eventually transitioned to Teck working for the mill, in the warehouse, and eventually in the human resources department as a summer intern while completing her college degree. After graduating from college in 2003, she returned to Red Dog Mine and fulfilled her three-year work commitment as part of the Teck Alaska scholarship agreement before leaving to have a baby.

In her new position, Josie is responsible for recruiting new employees as well as overseeing the scholarship program and the Piqatigiich School to Work program. The Piqatigiich program offers students in the Northwest Arctic Borough School District a unique opportunity to fly to Red Dog Mine and spend three days living in the dorms, eating in the employee cafeteria and learning about the Mine's operations. Red Dog offers a career awareness opportunity for high school freshmen and sophomores and a job shadow experience for seniors, and has found these opportunities to be an excellent way for students to gain first-hand knowledge of what it is like to work for the company.

"I think it is important for the younger generation to see someone like me, who is from the NANA region, successfully complete college and have a vision for obtaining a career. I'd like to see more of the younger generation finish school and return to work for Teck and Red Dog," says Josie. "It's important to encourage shareholders to get the experience and college degrees they need to become part of our family in the management level."

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NANA Development Corporation
Public Relations Director
charles.fedullo@nana.com