Staff Biographies
W. Ron Allen
Chairman, Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe
Executive Director, JHMS
W. Ron Allen is the Chairman of the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe and Executive Director of JHMS. He has served as the chairman of the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe for 29 years and has been an active member of the National Congress for American Indians (NCAI) for the past 30 years. He works closely with the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribal Council and the executive team at JHMS to ensure the venture promotes positive economic development for Tribes throughout North America.
Ron is an active member of several Tribal committees. He served four years as President of the National Congress of American Indians and two years as First Vice President. Ron currently is Chairman of the Washington Indian Gaming Association.
Deepal Wannakuwatte
Chief Executive Officer, JHMS
Owner, International Manufacturing Group, Inc.
Deepal Wannakuwatte is Chief Executive Officer of JHMS. He is responsible for all business operations, including achieving strategic goals set in tandem with the Chairman of the Jamestown S’Klallam tribe.
Deepal is also the Owner and CEO of International Manufacturing Group, which produces the RelyAid brand of medical supply products. He was an essential force in realizing the partnership between IMG and JHMS. Deepal manages the strategic operation and growth of IMG which has loyally served customers for nearly 20 years.
Jim Alfheim
President, JHMS
Sales and Marketing
Jim Alfheim is President of Sales and Marketing for JHMS. In this role, Jim is responsible for overseeing and managing all aspects of sales, marketing, and business development for the Company. Jim works diligently to maintain a high level of customer satisfaction.
Jim is a highly skilled sales and management professional with over 20 years of experience in the healthcare and service industries. He has worked successfully for Fortune 200 companies and has risen to top management positions. Jim’s management skills are exceptional and cover a wide range of experience and expertise, including: General, Territory and Division Sales Management, Contract Sales Management, Inventory Management, Product Line Management, Human Resources, Accounting, and Safety/Worker’s Comp Management.
Jim lives in Fresno California with his two sons, Corey and Kyle.
Kerry Gragg
Director, JHMS
Program Development
Kerry Gragg is Director of Program Development for JHMS. He builds relationships with tribes throughout North America, introducing them to JHMS and the fiscal benefits of tribal cooperation.
For thirty years, Kerry was a commissioned officer in the U.S. Public Health Service assigned to the Indian Health Service. He was responsible for planning, design, and construction of projects, including over seventy health clinics and hundreds of community and individual water and waste water systems. He has participated on numerous national committees and work groups in which he actively advocated for policies that promoted tribes and their self-determination.
Kerry earned a Masters and Bachelors of Science in Civil Engineering from New Mexico State University. He is a registered professional engineer and the 1999 Indian Health Service Federal Engineer of the Year.
