Longtime AFN President Julie Kitka announced her retirement from the organization earlier this year. A search commenced for a new leader. Now, AFN Vice President Ben Mallott, 38, has been named president.
Mallott, of Juneau, is the son of the late Lt. Gov. Byron Mallott of Yakutat and retired schoolteacher Toni Mallott, originally of Rampart. He is a board member for various nonprofits, including being chairman of the Alaska Humanities Forum, a trustee of the Nature Conservancy Alaska and on the board of the Alaska Native Heritage Center. Mallott is a graduate of Oregon State University and has a master’s degree from American University.
Prior to working for AFN, he served as a legislative assistant for U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski on federal policy areas relating to Alaska Natives and rural Alaska. He is vice chair of NTVI, an 8(a) subsidiary of Baan O Yeel Kon Corporation…