The Alaska Native corporation for the Interior region has a new President and CEO for the first time in more than a decade. Dan Winkelman comes over from Yukon-Kuskokwim Health Corporation, where he was president and CEO, to take over for Aaron Schutt, who led Doyon, Limited since 2011. Winkelman is a member of the Shageluk Native Tribe and a Doyon shareholder. He holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Oregon and earned a JD from the University of New Mexico. He joined Yukon-Kuskokwim Health Corporation in 2001 and had been CEO since 2014.

Architects Alaska has new leadership.

Kathleen Benoit becomes the first female President in the firm’s seventy-five-year history. Benoit has been with Architects Alaska for thirteen years. Benoit holds a bachelor’s degree in design from the University of Florida, College of Architecture.

Diane Heaney-Mead has been named to Architects Alaska’s Board of Directors and serves as Vice President. Heaney-Mead joined the firm in 2006 while completing a master’s degree in architecture at Montana State University.

Chrissy Gahm joined Architects Alaska as Controller in the firm’s finance and operations leadership team. Gahm holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from the College of Charleston and a Master of Accountancy from the University of North Florida.

With the departure of Chris Miller as President of Design Alaska, the Fairbanks-based engineering firm promoted Emily Winfield as his successor. Winfield had been leading the firm’s Mechanical Department. Winfield holds a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Waterloo in Ontario, Canada. Before pursuing her engineering career, she earned a bachelor’s degree in political science and psychology from Saint Mary’s University in Nova Scotia.

Civil engineering, surveying, and environmental firm R&M Consultants promoted three employees into new roles.

Courtney Maillet is now Accounting Supervisor, responsible for supervising the accounting team and managing the firm’s day-to-day financial operations. Maillet holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from UAA and has been with R&M for fourteen years.

Mikey Auza becomes Project Biller, after previously serving as an accounting coordinator during three years at R&M. Auza holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Colorado State University.

Bryant Wright is promoted to Senior Planner, three years after joining R&M. A certified park and recreation professional, Wright earned a bachelor’s degree in art history and studio art from Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas, and he holds a master’s degree in natural resources management from UAF.

The leadership team at Roger Hickel Contracting now includes Kris Squires as Vice President. Squires joined the firm in 2014 as an estimator and project manager. He earned a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering at UAA and worked briefly as a civil engineer before transitioning into construction.

Bristol Bay Native Corporation (BBNC) added new hires at its corporate office.

LaFewt Knox joins BBNC as Senior Director of Financial Planning and Analysis. Knox holds a bachelor’s degree in finance and economics from Eastern Washington University and an MBA from UAS.

Ambriel Sandone joins BBNC as Associate General Counsel. Sandone holds a bachelor’s degree in economics and political science from Colorado State University and a JD from University of Oregon School of Law.

Molly Webb joins BBNC as Vice President of Human Resources. Webb holds bachelor’s degrees in psychology and criminal justice from the University of Idaho, and she earned a master’s degree in business education from Alaska Pacific University.

During the first year under a new CEO at Alaska Regional Hospital, more new leaders have joined the administrative team.

Melissa Butler is Alaska Regional Hospital’s new COO. She held key leadership roles with parent company HCA Healthcare at the Gulf Coast Division and at Corpus Christi Medical Center in Texas, where Alaska Regional Hospital CEO Mark Roberts was posted before coming to Alaska in 2025. Butler earned a bachelor’s degree in business management from National American University and a master’s degree in management and leadership from Western Governors University.

Yvonne Schofield has joined as Vice President of Operations. Schofield most recently worked alongside Butler and Roberts at Corpus Christi Medical Center as director of surgical services beginning in 2022. She holds a bachelor’s degree in nursing from McMurry University in Abilene, Texas, and a master’s degree in nursing leadership from HCA Healthcare’s Galen College of Nursing.

Mike Davis is promoted to Alaska Regional Hospital’s new Vice President of Quality. Davis holds a bachelor’s degree in nursing from California State University, East Bay, and a master’s degree in nursing informatics from Western Governor’s University.

Montana Miller joined Alaska Regional Hospital as Human Resources Vice President. She previously worked at North Star Behavioral Health and Aleut in HR leadership. Miller graduated from Utah Valley University.

Garet Plantz is promoted to KeyBank’s Small Business Relationship Manager for Alaska, providing personalized expertise across deposit, lending, and merchant processing needs. Plantz lives in Kenai and brings more than fifteen years of experience with KeyBank, most recently as a virtual business banker for clients in Alaska and Washington.