Huna Totem Corporation (HTC), the Alaska Native village corporation that owns and operates the cruise ship destinations Icy Strait Point and Port Klawock, as well as a new cruise terminal in Whittier, Alaska, has announced the formation of the Huna Totem Corporation Tourism Advisory Board, which includes travel and cruise industry experts who will help guide the company’s tourism strategy and initiatives and help strengthen its leadership position in the industry. In addition, Susan Bell has joined the company as vice president of strategic initiatives, responsible for overseeing and executing high impact projects.
On the advisory board are well recognized leaders: Charlie Ball, Susan Bell, Craig Milan and Howard Sherman. Bringing a wealth of expertise across finance, policy and research, and business and travel consulting, these advisory board members will support HTC’s management team through non-binding, strategic guidance. Their expertise will be instrumental as the corporation grows its footprint across Alaska and beyond, leveraging the success of Icy Strait Point, its 20-year-old cruise destination. The company is already extending this model to other locations in Alaska including destinations in Klawock and Whittier.
Among the Board members, Charlie Ball is a long-time Holland America executive, who served as president of Holland America – Princess Alaska as well as executive vice president of land operations and customer service at Holland America Group. Ball has overseen worldwide port and shore operations, cruise tour operations and community and government relations. He has also served as senior advisor to Holland America.
Craig Milan spent his career in the travel industry in leadership roles with big brands including Royal Caribbean Group, Virgin Voyages, Continental Airlines, Eastern Airlines and Brightline, where he was part of the start-up team at the country’s first privately owned railroad. Milan’s expertise is in revenue management, tour operations and customer service across the airline, rail and cruise businesses. He began his career as an intern for Pan American World Airways during the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid, New York.
Howard Sherman has held a variety of executive roles within the cruise industry, most recently as president and CEO of Oceania Cruises. At Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, he was vice president of onboard revenue and destination services, managing a wide range of departments including air and sea, casino operations, destination services, commercial development, government relations, itinerary planning and land-based construction projects. Sherman also held various leadership roles at Prestige Cruises International including chief revenue officer and executive vice president of revenue management.
Susan Bell, a lifelong Alaskan now residing in Juneau, has over two decades in tour operations and destination marketing. She previously served as president of McKinley Research Group, commissioner of the Alaska Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development, and vice president of Goldbelt, Inc., Juneau’s Alaska Native corporation. Currently, she is assisting the University of Alaska president in launching a new Arctic Leadership Initiative, and she just joined HTC as vice president of strategic initiatives. Given her recent appointment with HTC, Bell will be replaced on the advisory board in the coming months.
As vice president of strategic initiatives, Bell will be overseeing and executing high-impact projects that align with the corporation’s vision, mission and values.
Bell will play a role in driving the success of key initiatives including the development of Aak’w Landing in Juneau and the Alaska Native Tourism Network, HTC’s initiative to inspire and create partnerships among Alaska Native communities throughout the state. The network is expected to develop cultural tourism experiences for travelers across Alaska and build economic opportunities for more Alaska Native people.
“I’ve been a long-time fan and supporter of Susan and her work,” said Huna Totem Corporation president and CEO Russell Dick. “Her experience, understanding of the tourism industry and passion for Alaska and its people make her a natural fit. I couldn’t be happier to welcome her to our thriving team and business.”
Throughout her career, Bell has been dedicated to helping Alaska communities and businesses flourish. She has led organizations at the state, regional and community level, and most recently, she helped the University of Alaska launch the Arctic Leadership Initiative, preparing Alaskans to create solutions and opportunities in the rapidly changing Arctic.
As commissioner of the Alaska Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development for five years, Bell led initiatives to promote Alaska businesses, strengthen communities and enhance the state’s business climate.
She has also been an owner and project manager for McDowell Group (now McKinley Research Group), a research and consulting firm with a long history of supporting Huna Totem Corporation and Icy Strait Point.
Originally from Nome, Bell has a deep appreciation for the traditional lifestyles and cultures of Alaska Native people.
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