Doyon picks new president

FAIRBANKS (AP) -- A former Doyon Ltd. board member has been chosen to serve as the Alaska Native corporation's president.

Orie Williams, formerly of Nenana, will fill the remaining six-month vacancy left by Rosemarie Maher, who died of a heart attack on July 6.

''Most of us who came of age in the early days of the Native land claims and the emergence of Native 'self-determination' can only dream of leading our regional corporations,'' Williams, 56, said in a corporation press release. ''I have prepared for this all my life,'' he said.

Doyon's board of directors selected Williams during a special meeting held in Anchorage Jan. 5.

Williams leaves his position as executive vice president of the Bethel-based Yukon-Kuskokwim Health Corporation. He has held that position for more than 11 years.

Williams begins his new job Feb. 18.