The Calista Regional Native Corporation’s Board of Directors has voted to publicly censure one of its own after he refused to resign his post.
In a press release this afternoon, the Board accused its former chair, Colonel Wayne Don, of threatening Calista’s CEO and failing to follow the corporation’s chain of command. The release further alleged that Don interfered with Calista’s investigation into an “employment matter” and improperly issued orders to Calista employees and consultants.
Calista spokesperson Thom Leonard would not elaborate on the allegations or describe any of the specific events they may be referring to. He said they were the result of an extensive investigation by Calista’s Governance Committee, which is comprised of Don’s fellow board members.
The allegations came as a shock to some Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta residents. A well-respected colonel in the Alaska Army National Guard, Don was the keynote speaker at last year’s AFN Convention. He was unable to respond to KYUK’s requests for comment before publication. In a letter published in the Delta Discovery, Bethel’s local paper, Don strongly denied Calista’s allegations against him. “As shareholders,” he wrote, “I encourage you to demand accountability and transparency” from Calista.
Last month, Calista’s Board stripped Don of his chairmanship and removed him from his positions on various committees. His appeal of those decisions was rejected. Don still refuses to resign, and Calista may not be able to force him from their board without a two-thirds vote from shareholders.