Oil Patch Bits: Crowley and Gunderson Marine make $10,000 donation

Crowley Maritime Corp said that it, along with Gunderson Marine, recently made a $10,000 joint donation to the First Alaskans Institute to further advance education and cultural enrichment for Alaska Natives. Crowley Vice President Craig Tornga presented Willie Hensley, a noted author, chairman of the Board of Trustees of the First Alaskans Foundation and former manager of Federal Government Relations for Alyeska Pipeline Service Co., along with First Alaskans CEO Janie Leask, a Haida-Tsimshian and member of the Tsimshian Eagle Clan, with the check at a dinner commemorating the christening of Crowley’s newest heavy-lift series barge in Portland, Ore. Gunderson, which built the barge, and Crowley, which owns the new vessel, decided that in lieu of gifts to each other for the successful completion of this project, they would instead donate the money to a deserving organization. Tornga said First Alaskans Institute was chosen because of their commitment to the Native Alaskan community. First Alaskans Institute helps Alaska Native people and their communities meet the social, economic and educational challenges of the future, while fostering positive relationships among all segments of our society through community engagement, information and research, collaboration and leadership development.