Left to Right: Bob Hoffman, Tom Hawkins, Patricia Smith, Fannie Black, and Frank Neitz. (Not pictured: Melody Hoffman, Nicholai Joekay)
Frank Neitz, Chair – Frank was born and raised in rural Montana. After graduating from Montana State University, Frank went on to a career flying both fixed and rotor winged aircraft, he flew rotor wing aircraft for six years in the south pacific before moving to Alaska in the mid 1980’s. In Alaska he founded and still operates two fixed-wing Charter, Scheduled, Contract Airlines. He also has interests in real estate and mining. Frank is active in the community and serves as a Captain in the Civil Air Patrol in addition to chairing the Bethel Community Services Foundation Board of Directors. He has also served as the chairman of the City of Bethel Public Works Committee. His hobbies are anything to do with the outdoors such as hunting, fishing, hiking, climbing, and boating.
Tom Hawkins, Chair – After graduating from high school in Richmond, Virginia, Tom spent one year at John Tyler Community College. In 1968, he was drafted into the US Army, trained in inventory control, and proceeded to spend one year in Korea with the US Army. After leaving the Army, Tom moved to Seattle and trained as a pilot before coming to Bethel, Alaska in 1978 to work as an air taxi pilot. He spent 8 years flying for Executive Charter service before buying a half interest in a small air taxi located in Mountain Village. Tom lived in Mountain Village for 4 years before moving back to Bethel where he and Mike Hageland built their air service into a regular scheduled airline with over 20 airplanes and 75 employees. Tom sold his interest in Hageland Aviation Services in 1995. Tom is now an avid real estate investor in Bethel and runs a small furnace repair business.
Patricia Smith, Secretary/Treasurer – Patricia lives in Bethel and works for the Yukon Kuskokwim Health Corporation.
Bob Hoffman, Board Member – Bob, currently with the Alaska Department of Corrections, has worked in aviation for over 20 years as manager of various airlines and partner in Hoffman Aircraft Services. He holds both his land and sea pilot license, and has worked as a commercial fisherman. Hoffman served in Vietnam from 1968-69 and is a member of the VFW. An active community member, Hoffman has held two terms with Bethel City Council and served as CEO of Bethel Native Corporation. Bob is married to his wife of 34 years, Elizabeth Hoffman, and has two sons. His favorite past times include reading, flying, politics and camping.
Melody Hoffman, Board Member – Melody was born and raised in Bethel, Alaska where she graduated from Bethel Regional High School in 2007. She worked for Yukon Kuskokwim Health Corporation (YKHC) for 6 years, spending most of that time in Village Operations in various positions, including Executive Assistant to the Vice-President of Village Health. Melody served as a member of the YKHC Alaska Native Workforce Development pillar committee. She paused working at YKHC to continue her education. She is currently a full-time nursing student with the University of Alaska Anchorage with the goal of becoming an RN. Melody is a passionate advocate for children (our future!) and community members who wouldn’t otherwise have a voice. Melody is a mother to two boys, Ronald and Christian. She enjoys fishing, berry picking, playing basketball, and spending time on the Kuskokwim River at fish camp with her family.
Fannie Black, Board Member – Fannie was born in Anchorage and raised in Bethel where she graduated from BRHS in 1998. After graduating from Portland State University she went on to work for the National Indian Child Welfare Association for six years in various positions from Administrative Assistant to the Director of Operations. She then moved on to the Northwest Health Foundation to work part-time as their Grants Administrator while she pursued her master’s degree in Engineering and Technology Management. She was very active in the Portland, Oregon, community as a volunteer or board member for many organizations including the Native American Youth & Family Center, National Indian Child Welfare Association, Native American Student & Community Center, Urban League of Portland, and Good Spirit.
Currently, she works at Yuut Elitnuarviat – The People’s Learning Center, as the Director of Programs, where she helps push their mission forward by coordinating training opportunities for local people to fill high-wage jobs in the YK Delta. One of the favorite aspects of her job is seeing students reach goals they set for themselves: getting their GED; driver’s permit or license; or certification in nursing, construction, and other trades. Her favorite activities include berry picking, beading, baking, and spending time with her nieces and nephews.
Nicholai Joekay, Board Member – Nicholai was born in Bethel and raised in Napaskiak, where he graduated from Z.J. Williams Memorial School in 2002. He is currently very close to obtaining his AA in General Studies after a decade hiatus from school. Nicholai is the proud father of two children, and is actively involved with the Orthodox Christian Church in Bethel. His favorite hobbies include yuraq, fishing, gathering plants and berries in season, cooking, and playing volleyball.
