Edward Thomas, Juneau, AK

"I think that Sealaska is in a good position to set its own course for the future, using its asset base. I think that we're going to have to do everything in our power to rise above politics and get on with the business of making the Corporation what it needs to be to meet the needs of our shareholders."

Edward Thomas has been a member of the Sealaska Board of Directors since 1993. He serves on the Finance Committee, the Nominations Committee, and as a director for Synergy Systems, Inc. and Sealaska Timber Corporation.

Ed currently serves as the president of the Central Council of the Tlingit & Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska. He was first elected as President in 1984, and is the Alaska area vice president to the National Congress of American Indians. His professional career began in the field of education in 1973, and since he then has developed an outstanding record of high-level service and tribal leadership in the region and state.

"I was drawn to education because I enjoyed the interaction with students. As I got into education administration, I realized Indian policies really did not address themselves to involvement with Indian people in the decision process, as they should be," he says.

He was executive director and president of Ketchikan Indian Corporation and director of Indian Education in Ketchikan for 10 years. He also met as tribal leader with Presidents Bush, Clinton, Bush, Sr., Reagan and Ford.

Ed attended Craig High School. He holds an associate's degree from Sheldon Jackson College, a bachelor's degree from the University of Alaska-Fairbanks and a master's degree from Pennsylvania State University.

"I am very pleased that more and more shareholders are starting to get realistic expectations of the Corporation, rather than thinking of the Corporation as a vehicle to provide them a living for the rest of their days. I think the realistic approach now that I see out there is refreshing."

He is a member of the Tlingit Nation: Raven Tribe, Sukteeneidí (Dog Salmon) Clan. His Tlingit name is Ts'aa Xoo and his Haida name is Skil Quidaunce.