Cindy Shake has joined the UMIAQ team as Marketing and Communications Manager. During the past year Shake served as the Ukpeaġvik Iñupiat Corporation (UIC)Marketing and Communications Specialist for the UIC Anchorage Corporate office. As a life-long Alaska resident Ms. Shake earned her Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies and graduated Summa Cum Laude from Alaska Pacific University. Her work includes large scale public art sculptures and is an award award-winning graphic designer, strategist, and communications director who has run a successful design business for over 20 years. Committed to public service, Shake was appointed by the office of the mayor as a member of the Downtown Anchorage Advisory Group for the Downtown Anchorage Comprehensive Plan and she is a founding member and is on the board of directors for the Spenard Farmers Market. The Cook Inlet Literacy Council awarded her the Citizens Literacy Award for Outstanding Contributions Toward the Promotion of Literacy and Shake is a current member of the Public Relations Society of America and the American Marketing Association.
In other news, UIC shareholder Nagruk Harcharek has been named UMIAQ Science Logistics Manager, a Barrow based position. Mr. Harcharek will oversee field operations in support of research activities in and near Barrow. Growing up in Barrow, Nagruk actively participated in spring whaling preparations and hunts and has over 20 years of experience observing weather and ice conditions along with 15 years of experience captaining ocean and river vessels around the greater Barrow area. Mr. Harcharek's professional experience includes more than 4 years as a pilot for Ryan Air transporting cargo in Northwest Alaska and most recently serving as Assistant Camp Instructor for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in Barrow developing and conducting camp operations and helping incorporate Inupiaq subsistence knowledge and safety procedures into daily instruction. Mr. Harcharek earned his Bachelors of Science Degree in Aeronautical Science in 2009 from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University and his Associate of Science Degree in Small Vessel Fabrication and Repair in 2006 from Honolulu Community College. For UMIAQ, Mr. Harcharek will be act as a community liaison to local agencies, science and subsistence organizations and visiting researchers, providing scientific logistical support and developing and implementing policies, standards, procedures, ensuring regulatory compliance and operations enhancement.
UMIAQ LLC press release