Native-Owned · Rural Alaska

Built on Land.
Driven by Community.

Rooted in the ancestral lands of the Koyukon Athabascan people — creating careers, building skills, and sustaining Alaska since 2014.

Meet Our Team Back to Home
🏔️

Our Mission

To identify and develop the skills of community tribal members and enhance our people, assets, and resources through mentoring, training, and education to foster and sustain economic development in the community.

🌿

Our Vision

To develop self-sustaining opportunities toward self-determination and reinvestment in our community — looking to the past to provide for the future of the Koyukon Athabascan people.

🤝

Our Foundation

Founded in 2014 by the federally recognized Nulato Tribal Council as a for-profit entity to generate revenues and create lasting employment for tribal members in one of Alaska's most remote communities.

Rural Alaska — Nulato community on the Yukon River
2014 Founded by the
Nulato Tribal Council

Who We Are

Rooted in Community.
Built for Impact.

Nulato Hills Enterprises, LLC (NHE) was established to change the economic trajectory of one of Alaska's most remote Athabascan villages. Nulato sits along the Yukon River — a community of roughly 340 residents, 96.9% Alaska Native, facing chronic unemployment rates of 55–78%.

By leveraging the deep land knowledge and resilience of its people, NHE has grown into a recognized federal contractor delivering wildland fire support, land management, infrastructure services, and workforce development across Alaska.

Today, NHE holds 25+ federal contracts, has completed 80+ land management projects, deployed 15+ fire crews, and created over 200 local jobs — building lasting economic opportunity while honoring Athabascan tradition.

  • Native-Owned Business
  • Focus on Economic Development
  • Serving Rural Alaska Communities
Our Services
📋 25+ Federal Contracts
🌲 80+ Land Management Projects
🔥 15+ Fire Crew Deployments
👷 200+ Local Jobs Created

Leadership

The People Behind Our Mission

HD
LinkedIn Profile

Chief Executive Officer

Howard Darling

Howard Darling has led Nulato Hills Enterprises as President & CEO since its founding in 2014, dedicating over 1,000 volunteer hours to build a business framework aligned with the Nulato Tribal Council's vision for economic self-determination.

A Nulato native, Howard earned his MBA from Alliance Manchester Business School and his BA in Management from Syracuse University. His career spans operations management at ASRC Federal and IT customer relations at Arctic Slope Regional Corporation.

Howard's expertise in federal contracting — including projects tied to NASA and the Department of Defense — has secured NHE's place as a recognized SDB with CAGE Code 8FAM3.

Federal Contracting Strategic Planning Program Management Tribal Governance MBA · Manchester
VB
LinkedIn Profile

Chief Operating Officer

Viktor Baklanov

Viktor Baklanov serves as Chief Operating Officer of Nulato Hills Enterprises, bringing a seasoned background in finance, operations, and strategic planning to every aspect of the organization's growth and execution.

Based in Anchorage, Viktor holds a BBA in Accounting from the University of Alaska Anchorage (2007). His career spans roles at Bering Straits Native Corporation, Arctic Slope Regional Corporation, Little Red Services, and Arctic Pipe Inspection.

Viktor's expertise in financial reporting, internal controls, GAAP compliance, and auditing ensures NHE maintains the discipline required to deliver on federal contracts and reinvest in its community mission.

Financial Reporting Operations Internal Controls GAAP / Audit BBA · UAA

Core Values

What We Stand For

🌱

Community First

Every project and contract starts with one question: how does this strengthen the Nulato community? Economic development is our responsibility, not just our business.

📚

Skill Building

We invest in training, mentoring, and education for local tribal members. A skilled, empowered workforce is the foundation of self-determination.

🤝

Integrity

Our federal clients, tribal partners, and crew members count on us to deliver. We uphold the highest standards of professionalism and accountability.

🔥

Resilience

Rural Alaska demands toughness. From wildland fire deployments to remote infrastructure work, our crews draw on generations of Athabascan grit.

🌍

Land Stewardship

We care for Alaska's wilderness as our ancestors have for centuries. Every land management project honors our deep connection to this land.

📈

Sustainable Growth

We grow deliberately and reinvest in our community. Long-term impact matters more than short-term gain — we are building for generations.

Partner With Us.
Build Alaska's Future.

Contact Us Our Services