From July 22 to July 24, Cook Inlet Region, Inc. (CIRI) executives and North Wind Group leadership embarked on a multi-day tour of critical project sites across Utah and Washington, engaging with employees and gaining firsthand insight into operations that support both environmental remediation and technological innovation.
Tuesday, July 22 – UMTRA Project Tour in Moab and Crescent Junction, UT
CIRI CEO Swami Iyer and Vice President of Government Relations and Communications David Broome were joined by North Wind Portage President Jeff Scott and Chief Administrative Officer Debbie Morgan for a site visit to the U.S. Department of Energy’s Moab Uranium Mill Tailings Remedial Action (UMTRA) project in Moab, Utah. Hosted by Program Manager Greg Church, the team surveyed the remediation site, followed by a lunch and meet-and-greet with employees. During the gathering, Swami shared an overview of CIRI’s mission and emphasized how the work being done at Moab and similar locations directly benefits CIRI shareholders and descendants.
Following lunch, the group traveled to Crescent Junction, Utah where they toured the repository, observed rail car unloading operations, and connected with staff at the site. The visit highlighted the dedication of the teams working to safely manage and transport mill tailings, reinforcing the importance of their contributions to environmental stewardship.
July 23–24 – Richland Office Visit and IT Operations Overview
Swami Iyer and David Broome continued their tour with a visit to the Richland office in Washington, where they were joined by CIRI Yah Executive Jacinda Mainord and North Wind Subsidiary President Paul Adams. Senior Program Manager Rick Moren hosted the group during their visit. The focus of this visit was to engage with staff and gain a comprehensive understanding of the Information Technology operations supporting the Hanford Mission Integration Solutions (HMIS) contract at the U.S. Department of Energy Hanford Site.
Over the course of two days, the team connected with more than 100 employees who play a vital role in the success of the Hanford mission. The visit began with a detailed contract briefing covering key IT services, including Records Management, IT Infrastructure, Software Services, and Cyber Security.
On Thursday, July 24, the day began with coffee, doughnuts, and a lively morning gathering where employees participated in a Q&A session with Swami, asking insightful questions about his vision for IT growth and how they could contribute to future success. The team then toured the Richland office, including the newly completed Security and Network Operations Center (SOC/NOC), a showcase of innovation and operational excellence.
The visit concluded with a windshield tour of the 580-square-mile Hanford Site, where guests received a historical overview of Hanford’s pivotal role in the Manhattan Project. This final leg of the journey underscored the importance of collaboration, innovation, and the deep commitment of CIRI and North Wind teams to advancing impactful work across all sites.
“Our recent trips to the project sites run by North Wind Group gave us a chance to connect with the dedicated employees who perform arduous, even dangerous work for the benefit of our nation and our Alaskan Native Shareholders. These visits were a great opportunity to share insights about CIRI, the history of Alaska Native corporations, and the communities we support, while also listening, learning, and addressing questions from those who play a key role in our success.” – Swami Iyer
