For his many years of service, CIRI extends its appreciation to Charles “Chuck” G. Anderson. A member of CIRI’s Board of Directors for nearly 30 years, Anderson served as Board chair from 2005 to 2013 and is currently chair emeritus. He will not seek re-election this year.
Anderson, whose mother was Russian and Aleut, spent his early years on Long Island, Alaska, near Kodiak, where he and his family were its sole inhabitants. “My father brought a midwife to the island when I was born,” Anderson said.
When he was 7 or 8, his family moved to Kodiak where they owned a mink farm and lived a subsistence lifestyle.
After serving in the Korean War, Anderson joined the Anchorage Police Department in 1953, moving up the ranks and serving as chief of police from 1974 until his retirement.
What kind of person makes a good law enforcement officer? According to Anderson, it takes someone who is emotionally well-balanced, fair and understanding. “You see the worst parts of life, and it’s difficult not to become calloused. You see awful things, the death of people – you need to be compassionate.”
After retiring from the police force, Anderson served one term in the state legislature, “but I wasn’t happy; I didn’t care for partisan politics. In law enforcement, I could make a difference in people’s lives. I had to raise money in the legislature; I did not like asking people for help.”
The CIRI Board of Directors was a better fit. “Very refreshing,” he said. Anderson’s vision for CIRI was to remain an Alaska Native-owned company that provides a consistent stream of dividends, supports Elders through a trust fund and provides jobs, healthcare and housing through affiliated non-profit organizations. Over the years, he helped that vision become a reality.
Anderson is a graduate of the FBI Academy and the Keeler Polygraph Institute. He has served on numerous boards and commissions, including CIRI-affiliated nonprofit Southcentral Foundation (SCF). In 2012, the National Indian Health Board recognized Mr. Anderson’s SCF service by honoring him with a prestigious award for his dedication to improving the health and well-being of Alaska Native and American Indian people.
Anderson’s service on the CIRI Board was praised by fellow directors and CIRI management. “When Chuck took over as chair, the Board had been through some tumultuous years,” said CIRI President and CEO Sophie Minich. “His leadership returned a sense of decorum to the CIRI boardroom and members resumed working well together to resolve differences and make this company stronger. It’s one of his enduring legacies.”
Anderson’s term runs until the CIRI Annual Meeting scheduled for June 4.
