Executive Management

Dr. Pearl K. Brower

President and Chief Executive Officer

Dr. Brower’s business and employment experience include serving the past year as the Senior Advisor to the University of Alaska focusing on Alaska Native Success, Institutional Diversity, and Student Engagement. Prior to this work, she ran her own consulting business focused on strategic planning and leadership development, and worked for Iļisaġvik College, Alaska’s only tribal college, from 2007 to 2020, eight of those years serving as President.

Pearl received her Ph.D. in Indigenous Studies with an emphasis in Indigenous Leadership from the University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF) (2016); has a Master’s degree in Alaska Native and Rural Development, UAF (2010); and also obtained a double Bachelor’s Degree in Anthropology and Alaska Native Studies, UAF (2004). In 2018 Brower received her Associate of Arts Degree in Iñupiaq Studies from Iļisaġvik College.

Pearl has served on many boards and commissions throughout Alaska, and the nation including the National Museum of the American Indian (NMAI), Storyknife Writer’s Retreat, The Foraker Group Operations, and Governance Boards; Alaska Airlines Community Advisory Board, and the AlaskaCAN! Network Board of Directors. Brower was an Alaska Top 40 Under 40 Recipient, awarded the First Alaskans Institute Young Native Leader Award, and was recognized by the YWCA as a Woman of Achievement.

Jeevan Pokharel

Chief Operating Officer

Jeevan brings nearly 15 years of successful corporate leadership, and he is well versed in construction, oil field services, heavy-haul trucking, marine transportation, and the government contracting and service industries.

Mr. Pokharel earned both his Master's and Bachelor's degrees from the University of Idaho.

He is a member of the International Rotary Club and participates in their community service and fundraising activities that benefit local, state, national and worldwide causes. In his spare time, he loves traveling the globe.

Joseph Stanich

Chief Financial Officer

Joe began his career with UIC in June of 2010 as its Corporate Assistant Controller. Through the years, Joe has held a number of positions including Financial Systems Coordinator and, most recently, Corporate Controller. Prior to working with UIC, Joe also spent many years working for other Alaska Native companies and has held various different accounting roles.

Joe is also an avid softball player and coach and holds a seat on the Anchorage Sports Association Softball Board of Directors. He even organizes a Fur Rondy Snowshoe softball team which has won back-to-back championships.

Joe’s experience and leadership activities make him a great fit to step in as the Chief Financial Officer. Joe will be a great help in his new role in assisting UIC’s leadership continue to focus on strategies and achieve long-term goals set by the President and the board.

Rick Owen

General Counsel

Mr. Owen received his Bachelor of Science in Business Finance from Brigham Young University, his Doctor of Jurisprudence degree from Pepperdine University School of Law (Cum Laude), and is licensed to practice law in California, Alaska, and Alaska Federal District Court.

Rick’s work history includes Corporate/General Counsel/Concerns Resolution Program Director for ASRC from 2009-to-2016, General Counsel/Contracts Manager for ASRC from 2000-to-2009, Manager of Commercial Special Credits for the National Bank of Alaska from 1996-to-2000, and Private Practice Attorney for Groh, Eggers & Price from 1987-to-1996.

Richard A. Camilleri

Chief Administrative Officer and Deputy General Counsel

Richard brings over 15 years of combined administrative, management, and legal experience to the UIC Team. He was raised in Utqiaġvik and is a member of the Makalik whaling crew. A proud Barrow High graduate, Richard earned dual Bachelor’s degrees in Public Policy Studies and Political Science from Syracuse University and a Juris Doctor from Temple University.

Prior to UIC, he served rural Alaskan clients through an Anchorage-based law firm where he represented Alaska Native corporations, Tribes, and municipalities with a diverse portfolio of legal needs. Richard also practiced as a litigator and supervising attorney for the City of New York and worked in the Obama Administration’s White House Council for Environmental Quality. He studied and worked in Italy twice, including with an Italian law firm.

Richard volunteers as a Director for NeighborWorks Alaska, is a mentor for Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Alaska, and facilitates the annual Barrow High School Alumni Scholarship. He was also an Alaska Top 40 under 40 Recipient and was named Alaska Business Legal Elite in Arctic Law for 2023.

Michael Hundley

Sr. Vice President of Operations, UIC Government Services

Mr. Michael Hundley has over 30 years of industry experience participating as an active member of the Naval Surface Warfare Center contracting community supporting Northrop Grumman, Lockheed Martin, and Computer Sciences Corporation since 1989. Mr. Hundley has a degree in Business Administration and his professional background includes a focus in engineering, information technology, business operations, and strategic planning. In previous positions with Bowhead, Mr. Hundley served as a Vice President, Director of Operations, and Business Development Director.

Clayton Arterburn

Sr. Vice President, UIC Commercial Services

Being prepared is a guiding principle for Clayton Arterburn, UIC’s executive leader for a suite of commercial service enterprises encompassing civil and vertical construction, engineering, architecture, oil & gas services, environmental consulting and marine transport. These companies all work under extraordinary circumstances throughout Alaska, where nature is unforgiving and planning ahead is fundamental to success.

Clayton grew up in Willow, Alaska, a rural experience that gave him a firm understanding of what it means to be off the grid without ready access to urban amenities. It also underscored a respect for nature, an Iñupiat value that resonates throughout his personal and professional life.

After joining UIC Construction in 2006, Clayton managed a wide range of projects in Alaska. He has been a member of UIC’s management team for ten years and has been SVP for Commercial Services since 2018. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Construction Management from Central Washington University.

Clayton is originally from Indianapolis, with a family history stretching back to 1700s Kentucky. He’s been in Alaska since 1975 but maintains his Indiana roots as an avid Colts fan.

Jason Strickler

Vice President, UIC Government Construction

Jason has over 18 years of experience in Government Contracting working for and with Alaska Native Corporations (ANC’s). He has a proven track record of success in managing several government contracting companies. He is a strong communicator with effective interpersonal skills, building trust and rapport. Jason leads by example with a sound professional attitude, strong morals and ethics, and pride in personal performance. He leads others to create a shared sense of commitment and accountability to the success of objectives at hand. Jason has successfully led the completion of numerous multi-million-dollar projects through teaming partnerships and building positive rapport with clients, stakeholders, architects, engineers, local officials, and vendors.

Ross Wilhelm

Vice President of Arctic Operations & Development

Born and raised in Utqiaġvik, Alaska, Ross is a proud shareholder for both UIC and ASRC. Serving as the Vice President of Arctic Operations and Development, he has been an integral part of the UIC Commercial Services team for over 19 years, often praising it as one of the best teams he's had the privilege to work with. As a longstanding resident and respected whaling captain of Utqiaġvik, Ross's deep ties to the community, and unwavering commitment to UIC positions him as a vital pillar of the UIC Executive Leadership Team.

Mariah Utuga

Vice President of Shareholder Services & UIC Foundation Executive Director

Mariah Utuga was raised in Utqiaġvik, Alaska. A graduate of Barrow High School, she earned her Bachelor of Arts in Rural Development with a concentration in community research and Indigenous knowledge from the University of Alaska Fairbanks.

Her most recent work history includes Cook Inlet Tribal Council and the North Slope Borough Health Department. Additionally, she served as Program Manager for the Arctic Slope Regional Corporation Community Economic Development Program from 2012 – 2020 and Administrative Corporate Secretary from 2009 – 2012, working directly with the shareholder base of the Arctic Slope region.