“Academics are just as important as forming relationships and having a social life, especially through organized sports and other activities. Relationships and emotional intelligence are just as valuable in business as academic education.”
KEF Board Member Gordon Pullar, Jr
Early in his education career, Gordon Pullar, Jr. knew he wanted to serve his Alaska Native Corporation, Koniag, and participate in business making decisions. He pursued his Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science from Florida State University. He went on to earn a Master of Arts degree in Rural Development from the University of Alaska, Fairbanks. Most recently, Pullar completed a Harvard Business School certificate program for Native Americans focused on leading people and investing in building sustainable communities. He chose these fields of study to position himself for a future leadership role.
In 2010, Pullar started his employment with Koniag, and today, he is the Operating Group President of Koniag Government Services. He leads a portfolio of 25-30 government contracts focused on facilities operations and maintenance, legal services, construction, and national security services. One of the most exciting aspects of his job is working with teammates across the country and leading diverse government contracts. Pullar’s commitment to his Alaska Native people is further demonstrated through his board service on Leisnoi, Inc., the Alutiiq Heritage Foundation, Koniag Education Foundation.
Pullar’s passion for serving his community comes from his family’s rich heritage. Pullar was born in Kodiak and grew up in Anchorage. His grandmother, Olga Rossing, was the first Woody Island high school graduate, and his late father, Gordon Pullar Sr., was a former President of Tangirnaq Native Village, Chairman of Koniag Education Foundation, and Pullar’s greatest mentor. Since 2014, Pullar has continued to serve on the Tangirnaq Native Village (aka Woody Island Tribal Council) and was Council President from 2016-2019. Through his hard work, Pullar was awarded the National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development and the Alaska Journal of Commerce’s Top Forty Under 40 Awards.
In addition to his work, Pullar enjoys a variety of hobbies, including hockey, softball, hunting, and fishing. He offers valuable advice to those pursuing higher education, emphasizing the importance of balancing academics and social life. Pullar advises students that academics are just as important as forming relationships and having a social life, especially through organized sports and other activities. Relationships and emotional intelligence are just as valuable in business as academic education.
Pullar’s journey to success has not been without its challenges. During his undergraduate studies, he struggled to balance school, hockey, and social activities. In graduate school, the biggest challenge was staying awake for class. He was living on the east coast and working, and his classes were over teleconference from Alaska, so his classes often began at 10 pm or 11 pm EST. Despite these challenges, Pullar has persevered and grown personally and professionally. He strives to continue serving at Koniag into the near future and grow his portfolio of accomplishments while increasing his leadership responsibilities before retirement.
Pullar will be stepping down as a member of KEF’s Board of Directors after serving for the past seven years. We are sincerely grateful for Gordon’s insight, ideas, dedication, and advocacy for our students during his time on the board.
Quyanaasinaq Gordon!