News and Press Releases

Dec 15, 2021

First National welcomes Sweeney to Board of Directors

First National Bank Alaska is pleased to welcome Tara Sweeney to the bank’s Board of Directors. Sweeney joins Board Chair and CEO Betsy Lawer, Vice Chair Lucy Mahan, First National Bank Alaska President Doug Longacre, Adm. Tom Barrett, USCG (ret.), Perry Eaton, Margy Johnson, Jane Klopfer, Tom Tougas and Janet Weiss on the Board. 

“Tara has spent her entire career advocating for Alaskans and their unique needs on a nationwide scale,” said Lawer. “Her experience and firsthand knowledge of the state and our local economy will be invaluable in helping First National continue to shape a brighter tomorrow for all Alaskans.”

In 2018, by unanimous confirmation of the U.S. Senate, Sweeney was appointed to serve as the Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs at the U.S. Department of the Interior. She currently serves as the Principal and CEO of Tack 71 Strategies.

Sweeney is a graduate of Cornell University's School of Industrial and Labor Relations. Prior to public service, she served as the Executive Vice President for External Affairs at Arctic Slope Regional Corporation.

In December 2021, Sweeney was recognized by the Alaska Federation of Natives with the Citizen of the Year award. In 2020, she was awarded the Commonwealth North William A. Egan Distinguished Alaskan award. Sweeney is a Tribal Member of the Iñupiat Community of the Arctic Slope as well as the Native Village of Barrow, and a lifetime member of the National Congress of American Indians. She has previously served on many boards, including Chair of the Arctic Economic Council and a board member of the Ted Stevens Foundation.  

“I am excited to join First National because of its statewide community focus,” Sweeney said. “I’m proud to work on behalf of Alaskans and on issues impacting the overall economic health and quality of life, especially in rural Alaska.”

Alaska’s community bank since 1922, First National proudly helps Alaskans shape a brighter tomorrow by providing banking services to meet their needs across the state, nation and around the world. In 2021, Alaska Business readers voted the bank the “Best of Alaska Business” in the Best Place to Work category for the sixth year in a row, Best Corporate Citizen for a third year, and Best Bank/Credit Union. American Banker also recognized First National as a “Best Bank to Work For” for the fourth year in a row, and Anchorage Daily News readers voted the bank one of the state’s top financial institutions in the “Best of Alaska” Awards. 

 

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