Gil Leask, whose Indigenous name is SAGATKAS (“Subtract” in English), serves as General Manager for Environmental Services (EVS) at Maniilaq Health Center. He oversees EVS operations for 11 village clinics, long-term care in Kotzebue, NRC properties across the region, and manages Maniilaq employee housing. Gil describes this as an exciting time, with new projects and ideas in the works.
Gil was born in Ketchikan, Alaska and lived there until age 16 before moving to Anchorage at the tail end of the Alaska Pipeline construction. His mother is Raven Clan Tlingit Haida, and his father is Wolf Clan Tsimshian. Gil has one son and a passion for American classic cars—especially models from the 1920s and 1930s, such as Duesenbergs, Lincolns, and Cadillacs.
Gil began his career with NANA-Marriott in 1987 and joined the Kotzebue team in 2010. He thrives on challenges and credits his incredible staff as his second family: “Without them, I am nothing.” Over the years, he has led projects such as opening coffee shops and cafés at ANMC and AlaskaUSA, launching custodial services for NWABSD, and developing employee housing. He considers working in Kotzebue’s hospital environment one of his greatest privileges, providing opportunities to connect with people from the region and around the world.
Proud to work for a forward-thinking company, Gil values NMS’s commitment to integrity, respect, and sustainability. Looking ahead, he hopes to continue working in Kotzebue and leave a lasting legacy: “I want to know I did things well, treated people fairly, and left something meaningful for those who come after me.”
