Kara Moriarty’s successor at the Alaska Oil and Gas Association held the same job during the first Trump administration that Moriarty was appointed to last year: senior advisor for Alaskan affairs at the US Department of the Interior. The trade group selected Steve Wackowski as President and CEO. He most recently led communications for Santos’ Alaska Business Unit. Wackowski studied computer science at Saint Mary’s College of California and earned a master’s degree in science and technology intelligence from National Intelligence University in Maryland. Earlier in his career, he served as press secretary to the late US Senator Ted Stevens, and he was state director for US Senator Lisa Murkowski. He is a lieutenant colonel in the Alaska Air National Guard, commanding the 176th Communications Squadron.

Cheryl Siemers keeps her position as Interim UAA Chancellor through the summer. University of Alaska President Pat Pitney concluded the search process in October. Based on community and stakeholder feedback, Pitney concluded that, although all four finalists were qualified, the overwhelming consensus was that Siemers had done an excellent job since Sean Parnell stepped down last May. “Cheryl is uniquely positioned to continue advancing UAA’s priorities without pause,” says Pitney, who is herself retiring from the UA System. Longer-term evaluation of the UAA Chancellor role will continue after the current academic year.

A new Career Services Manager is on the job at UAS. Stori Oates joins the Enrollment Management and Student Affairs department at the Juneau campus, not far from her previous position. Oates most recently worked at the Auke Bay Laboratories for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, co-developing internships and working closely with UAS faculty and the Career Services office. Oates has a bachelor’s degree in biology from Santa Clara University and a master’s degree in marine science from San José State University.

UMIAQ Environmental, a division of UIC Commercial Services, promoted Emily McDonald to Policy and Permitting Division Manager, responsible for the company’s permitting, federal compliance, and mapping services. McDonald has been with UMIAQ Environmental since 2012. She’s credited with helping secure a new gravel source for Utqiaġvik and co-authoring documentation for the North Slope’s first wetlands mitigation bank. McDonald holds a bachelor’s degree in natural resources management from Green Mountain College in Vermont.

A new generation of talent is strengthening Nortech—an environmental, energy, health, and safety services firm with offices in Anchorage, Fairbanks, and Juneau.

Megan Smoot is finishing her first year as an Environmental Professional at Nortech’s Anchorage office. She holds a bachelor’s degree in environmental science from Wheaton College in Illinois and conducted research on regenerative soil management in Eastern Africa. Smoot holds hazardous waste, mine safety, and building inspector certifications.

With experience in social media management and marketing strategy, Madison “MJ” Johnson supports the firm’s outreach and business development efforts. Johnson joined Nortech in 2025 as a Marketing Assistant. She earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration and marketing from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

Bettisworth North Architects and Planners hired two senior professionals and added two associates.

The addition of Rebekah Gray as Senior Interior Designer expands the firm’s capabilities in Fairbanks. Gray has led multi-disciplinary design teams and specializes in commercial environments and user-centered experience design. She holds a master’s degree in interior design from Savannah College of Art and Design, where she also served as a professor.

At the Anchorage office, Jack Fowler comes aboard as a Senior Architect. His experience ranges from schools to hospitals. Fowler’s role leading architectural design for the National Park Service Alaska Region involved master planning and public engagement. Past clients include the Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority and Lower Kuskokwim School District.

Paul Mullins joins the Anchorage office as an Associate Architectural Designer. Mullins recently earned a master’s degree in architecture from the University of Hawai’i and has worked as an intern for the firm since 2022.

Aisha Malik interned for Bettisworth North in 2024 and received a bachelor’s degree in landscape architecture from the University of Rhode Island. Now Malik works at the Fairbanks office as an Associate Landscape Designer.

Coffman Engineers celebrated three UAA alumni earning professional engineer (PE) certifications.

McKenzie Lallish joined Coffman in 2013 as a structural engineer after graduating from UAA with a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering. Some notable projects include structural modifications to a congested steel building to support new mechanical equipment. Lallish has also provided corrosion control engineering support for the Trans Alaska Pipeline System.

Noah Fowler joined Coffman in 2023 as a mechanical engineer after four years as a power generation engineer for Puget Sound Energy in Washington. At Coffman, he supports a range of energy projects including solar photovoltaics, battery energy storage systems, and microgrids. Fowler received a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from UAA.

Catelynn Hettick began as a mechanical engineer but earned her PE in fire protection engineering. Hettick has contributed to a range of designs for oil and gas facilities, military installations, and medical office buildings. Hettick holds a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from UAA and is currently pursuing a master’s degree in fire protection engineering from California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo.