Fairbanks Native Association hires new leader
Published Saturday, November 15, 2008
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Stumble It!FAIRBANKS — Steve Ginnis admits he doesn’t know much about the Fairbanks Native Association, which seems like a tough starting place for someone who is the organization’s executive director.
But Ginnis, who was hired Friday to be FNA’s new leader, has no qualms about his lack of familiarity. He’s happy to look at FNA — which has a workforce of more than 200 and a budget of almost $14 million — with a fresh set of eyes.
“I think that’s a good thing, really,” he said. “I’m not going into the organization with preconceived notions of any sort.”
FNA is a social service organization that has steadily grown since it was launched in 1963. It provides a variety of community services, including preschool education, mental health counseling and substance abuse treatment, among other programs.
Ginnis, a Gwich’in Athabascan originally from Fort Yukon, has experience in other Native organizations, including four years as president of Tanana Chiefs Conference. He also was the chief and city manager for Fort Yukon and the chairman for the Alaska Inter-Tribal Council. He resigned as chief executive for the Interior Regional Housing Authority in May at the request of that organization’s board of directors, although both Ginnis and the board declined to discuss the resignation at the time.
An FNA press release described Ginnis as “an advocate for self-governance and subsistence rights for Alaska Natives with particular focus on fisheries, self-determination and recognition of Tribal Governments.”
Ginnis said that philosophy doesn’t translate into any specific plans for FNA and plans to spend the early days of his new job reviewing budgets and working on improving public relations.
He expects FNA’s services will be needed in the upcoming months, as the number of Natives migrating to urban areas continues to grow.
“I think one of the things people recognize is we have more village people moving into Fairbanks, and that puts more pressure on the organization,” he said.
Ginnis will begin work as FNA executive director on Monday.
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Good Luck Steve.
Considering the Directors of this organization don't last long, it will only be a matter of time before they are searching again. This was not a good judgment call considering this man's past.
Way to go! This is a good thing for FNA. The directors made a good decision. Steve has always been a strong leader.
Congratulations Steve.
Steve has a good instinct for moving organizations forward. I am sure that FNA will advance its goals and objectives under his leadership. Good luck Steve.
Congratulations Mr. Ginnis.
FreeDarfur- you're just a regular Pollyanna aren't you?
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