Calista Executive and Leadership Team

August, 2026

Leadership Overview

Calista has 5 executives leading key functions including strategy, financial oversight, information technology, marketing, and real estate development.

Anchored in Alaska, Calista manages diverse natural resources and business operations while delivering specialized construction, engineering, and environmental consulting services to drive regional economic growth.

Leadership Roles at Calista

  • President & Chief Executive Officer - Matthew Nicolai
  • Chief Financial Officer - Kathleen Moran
  • President, Calista Real Estate - Karim Ders
  • Chief Information Officer - Timothy Strait
  • Co-Founder & Chief Marketing Officer - Minho Jeon
  • Matthew Nicolai - President & Chief Executive Officer

    Matthew Nicolai, the President & Chief Executive Officer at Calista, directs the overarching strategic vision for the corporation. Overseeing the integration of natural resource management with diverse business units, the President & Chief Executive Officer ensures alignment with long-term regional development goals. This leadership role involves constant collaboration with the Board to optimize operational efficiency across construction and engineering sectors. By fostering sustainable growth, Matthew Nicolai directly impacts the economic prosperity of the Alaska region. The President & Chief Executive Officer maintains rigorous standards for corporate governance while expanding the footprint of the organization. Through decisive action, Nicolai secures the future of the corporation, ensuring that all business activities remain consistent with the core mission of providing high-quality environmental consulting and infrastructure services to clients throughout the state.
    Matthew Nicolai

    Kathleen Moran - Chief Financial Officer

    Kathleen Moran, the Chief Financial Officer at Calista, manages the fiscal health and capital allocation strategies for the entire organization. Overseeing complex financial reporting and investment portfolios, the Chief Financial Officer ensures that all business units maintain profitability while supporting the broader mission of resource management. This leadership role involves coordinating with executive peers to fund critical construction and engineering projects across Alaska. By implementing robust financial controls, Kathleen Moran directly impacts the long-term stability of the corporation. The Chief Financial Officer monitors market trends to mitigate risks associated with environmental consulting and regional business operations. Through precise fiscal planning, Moran optimizes resource distribution, ensuring that the company remains well-positioned to capitalize on emerging opportunities within the competitive landscape of the North American market.
    Kathleen Moran

    Karim Ders - President, Calista Real Estate

    Karim Ders, the President, Calista Real Estate at Calista, manages the development and acquisition of property assets to support the broader corporate mission. Overseeing the expansion of the real estate portfolio, the President, Calista Real Estate ensures that land use aligns with the natural resource management goals of the corporation. This leadership role involves coordinating with engineering and construction teams to maximize the value of regional holdings. By identifying strategic investment opportunities, Karim Ders directly impacts the diversification of the company assets. The President, Calista Real Estate monitors market fluctuations to optimize property performance across the Alaska region. Through disciplined management, Ders secures long-term revenue streams, ensuring that the real estate division remains a pillar of the overall business strategy while contributing to the sustainable development of the local economy.
    Karim Ders

    Timothy Strait - Chief Information Officer

    Timothy Strait, the Chief Information Officer at Calista, architects the digital infrastructure necessary to support complex engineering and environmental consulting operations. Overseeing the modernization of data systems, the Chief Information Officer ensures that all business units utilize secure, scalable technology to improve project delivery. This leadership role involves integrating advanced analytics into the daily workflows of the corporation to enhance decision-making capabilities. By streamlining internal communication channels, Timothy Strait directly impacts the operational efficiency of the entire organization. The Chief Information Officer manages cybersecurity protocols to protect sensitive resource management data across the Alaska region. Through continuous innovation, Strait drives the digital transformation of the company, ensuring that all technological assets remain aligned with the strategic objectives of the business while maintaining high standards of data integrity and operational reliability.

    Minho Jeon - Co-Founder & Chief Marketing Officer

    Minho Jeon, the Co-Founder & Chief Marketing Officer at Calista, drives the brand identity and market positioning for the corporation. Overseeing the communication strategy for construction and environmental consulting services, the Co-Founder & Chief Marketing Officer ensures that the value proposition reaches key stakeholders across the Alaska region. This leadership role involves crafting targeted campaigns that highlight the unique expertise of the organization in managing natural resources. By building strong relationships with industry partners, Minho Jeon directly impacts the growth of the client base. The Co-Founder & Chief Marketing Officer analyzes market feedback to refine service offerings and maintain a competitive edge. Through strategic outreach, Jeon elevates the public profile of the company, ensuring that the mission and capabilities of the corporation remain clearly communicated to the broader market and potential business collaborators.

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    Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Calista Top Executives and Leadership Team

    Who leads Calista?
    Calista is led by Matthew Nicolai (President & Chief Executive Officer), along with executives such as Kathleen Moran (Chief Financial Officer) and Karim Ders (President, Calista Real Estate).
    Who is part of Calista’s executive team?
    The executive team of Calista includes leaders such as Matthew Nicolai (President & Chief Executive Officer), Kathleen Moran (Chief Financial Officer), Karim Ders (President, Calista Real Estate) and other senior executives.
    How many executives does Calista have?
    Calista has 5 executives leading key business areas.
    What roles are included in Calista’s leadership team?
    The leadership team of Calista includes roles such as President & Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, President, Calista Real Estate, Chief Information Officer, Co-Founder & Chief Marketing Officer.