Eklutna looks ahead: nurturing and growing a work force into the future.

• Author: Stomierowski, Peg
• Position: VIEW FROM THE TOP - Interview

For a year Curtis McQueen has been at the helm of Eklutna Inc., the Native village corporation for the city of Anchorage that has extensive holdings in the area, mainly near Eagle River. A subsidiary, Eklutna Services LLC, is involved in construction development and joint ventures in materials.

McQueen brought 20 years of business, communications, government affairs, project- and administrative-management experience to his work at Eklutna, joining Eklutna in 2005 as manager of communications and shareholder relations.

A Tlingit from Southeast Alaska, McQueen is from the Eagle-Killer Whale clan and a member of Tlingit Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska, a tribal government representing more than 24,000 Tlingit and Haida Indians worldwide. He also is a shareholder with Sealaska Corp., the Panhandle's regional Native corporation.

ABM: So how's the view from the top? How do you see your leadership role and challenge?

McQueen: Incredible, full of possibilities, and a reminder of exciting times ahead. I view my leadership role in two ways: Externally I am a facilitator and deliver the message of our corporate vision to industry and the various business interests within our community. Secondly, internally, I am a nurturer of staff talent, while building a proactive relationship with our vendors, clients and business associates.

ABM: Were you affected by Alaska's shortage of construction workers in recent years?

McQueen: Although our company has yet to be affected, we are watching the emerging markets and shortage of talented workers very closely. We are very impressed with the University of Alaska's Native Engineering program. We plan on using the program as we grow our company and are confident that the State of Alaska is addressing this issue appropriately.

ABM: How have motivational forces changed among generations?

McQueen: Current and new generations within the work force tend to be more motivated and to seek employment that offers diversity, and they tend to want to feel good about the differences they make within their communities. Pay grades come second.

The current work force tends not to look at their jobs being the same for a 20- to 30-year period; rather, they tend to be attracted to new challenges every three to five...