March 21, 2025
Fairbanks Native Association Board Election and Officer results
Fairbanks, Alaska—The membership of Fairbanks Native Association elected three people to its board of directors.
Steve Ginnis and Teisha Simmons joins incumbent Dr. Jessica Black. They will serve a three-year term ending in 2028. The elections were held March 7 at the 2025 Annual Membership Meeting.
Ginnis previously served 15 years as FNA Executive Director. Simmons is the interim Dean of the College of Indigenous Studies at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. Dr. Black is the Associate Vice Chancellor of rural, community and Native education at UAF.
The board elected Sharon McConnell as Board President, Beverly Kokrine as Vice President, Laura Ekada as Treasurer, and Brenda Krupa as Secretary. Members include Sharon Hildebrand, Travis Cole, Ginnis, Simmons and Dr. Black.
FNA is a nonprofit organization that provides behavioral health, mental health, educational and community programs, with a focus on Alaska Natives, but serves all.
Formed in 1963 by Alaska Natives, FNA is governed by its membership who are 18 years of age, live in the Fairbanks North Star Borough for 30 days and are Alaska Native/Native American or Indigenous or a descendant. They are the ones who elect the board of directors.