Kim Jorgensen supports Yulista team and Shareholder Services
Storyknife, March/April 2025 edition
We are excited to introduce Kim Jorgensen as Legal Counsel and Ethics & Compliance Officer for Yulista, Calista’s holding line for aerospace and defense contracting. This is a lead attorney position created at Yulista’s Huntsville, Ala.-based headquarters in late 2024. Jorgensen transitioned to the position after joining Calista’s Legal Department earlier in the year.
Jorgensen is Iñupiaq and grew up in Kotzebue. She is a proud Shareholder of NANA Regional Corporation and Kikiktagruk Inupiat Corporation and an enrolled tribal member of the Native Village of Kotzebue.
Before joining us, Jorgensen served as Chief Legal Officer, General Counsel and Senior Vice President for NANA. Before that, she was Corporate Strategic Counsel and Senior Director of Government Affairs for Ukpeaġvik Iñupiat Corporation, the village Native corporation for Utqiagvik. She supported UIC’s government contracting group for six years. In her career, she also has served as Assistant District Attorney in Anchorage and Santa Fe, New Mexico.
Jorgensen holds a bachelor’s degree in Native American Studies from Dartmouth College and a law degree from UCLA School of Law, where she focused on Federal Indian Law and Tribal Legal Development.
She recently participated in a Storyknife newsletter interview, sharing the following comments about her new role and what it’s like.
I believe that respect, kindness and a solidified mission for the betterment of Calista Shareholders and the Calista Region flows down to Yulista from Calista, and it is very evident here in Huntsville.
Kim Jorgensen, Legal Counsel and Ethics & Compliance Officer, Yulista Holding
What does your job entail?
My job entails providing support to Yulista with contract review/drafting and providing advice regarding the 8(a), Small Disadvantaged Business and HUBZone programs under the Small Business Administration, in addition to government contracting in general. I also continue to support the Shareholder Services Department based in Anchorage on stock transfers.
What do you enjoy about it?
I really enjoy being able to answer questions that come up on a day-to-day basis so that I can assist our team to move forward with their pursuit of business opportunities for the betterment of Calista Shareholders.
How do you describe the work culture at Calista and Yulista?
I started working for Calista in Anchorage at the end of June 2024, and within a month or so, I was asked to move to the Huntsville, Ala. office, which was such a nice surprise and honor. In my career, I had worked for another Alaska Native Corporation in the government contracting field based in Washington, D.C.
I feel that both Calista and Yulista really embrace their employees, valuing and treating everyone with respect. In my career, I have learned that corporate culture starts at the very top with the Board of Directors and President/CEO. I believe that respect, kindness and a solidified mission for the betterment of Calista Shareholders and the Calista Region flows down to Yulista from Calista, and it is very evident here in Huntsville.
Can you talk about the additional work you do to support our Shareholders?
I really appreciate the ability to continue to provide support to the Shareholder Services Department in Anchorage, despite my relocation. I review stock transfer files of Shareholders who have passed away to help confirm which heirs should inherit the shares. I am also assisting them in process documentation. I am happy to work with the Shareholder Services team as it makes me feel like I am still connected to core of any Native corporation—its Shareholders—even while I’m based in Alabama.