FAIRBANKS -- A former Doyon Ltd. board member has been chosen to serve as the Alaska Native corporation's president.
Orie Williams, formerly of Nenana, will fill the vacancy left by Rosemarie Maher, who died of a heart attack July 6.
"Most of us who came of age in the early days of the Native land claims and the emergence of Native 'self-determination' can only dream of leading our regional corporations," Williams, 56, said in a corporation press release. "I have prepared for this all my life," he added.
Doyon's board of directors selected Williams during a special meeting in Anchorage on Jan. 5.
Williams leaves his position as executive vice president of the Bethel-based Yukon-Kuskokwim Health Corp. He has held that position for more than 11 years.
Williams begins his new job Feb. 18.
