The Alaska Fisheries Development Foundation (AFDF) appointed Kristy Clement as CEO. Clement currently chairs the Afognak Native Corporation board of directors. Clement was raised in Port Lions, one of Afognak’s component villages. Clement earned a bachelor’s degree in organizational management from Alaska Pacific University and an Executive MBA from the University of Washington.

The board of Special Olympics Alaska (SOAK) chose the interim chief executive, Sarah Arts, as the organization’s CEO and President. Arts began as a college intern with SOAK in 2006 and worked her way up as school program manager, director of Sports & Programs, and vice president/COO. Arts earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from UAA and an Executive MBA with an emphasis in strategic leadership from Alaska Pacific University.

Rural Alaska Community Action Program (RurAL CAP), a statewide nonprofit to empower low-income Alaskans, named Selena Bailey its Chief Financial Officer. Bailey joins RurAL CAP with more than sixteen years of experience in accounting, most recently as CFO at Catholic Social Services in Anchorage. Bailey studied accounting at UAA and obtained her bachelor’s degree from the University of North Dakota. She later worked for KPMG, Alaska Waste, and Bristol Bay Industrial.

Credit Union 1 (CU1) selected Erika Smith as its next Chief Operating Officer. As the COO, Smith oversees branch operations, the e-services and call centers, and the facilities and branch expansion teams. Smith joined the CU1 team in November 2022 as chief retail officer with nearly seventeen years of financial industry leadership experience. Smith was raised on the Kenai Peninsula and now lives in Anchorage. She earned her bachelor’s degree in education and teaching from Southwestern Assemblies of God University.

To confront changes in gas supply, growing opportunities in clean energy, and evolving member needs, Matanuska Electric Association (MEA) restructured its executive leadership team.

Julie Estey was promoted to Chief Strategy Officer. In this new role, Estey oversees development and execution of MEA’s long-term strategic initiatives and leads external efforts regarding legislation, partnerships with stakeholders, and collaboration with other Railbelt utilities. Estey has been with MEA for ten years, most recently as Senior Director of External Affairs and Strategic Initiatives, where she also oversaw the Public and Member Relations Division. She serves as the organization’s representative of the Railbelt Reliability Council.

Ed Jenkin, who has been an integral part of MEA’s leadership team for nearly ten years, is now Chief Energy Transformation Officer. In this role, Jenkin leads MEA’s efforts to explore and implement cutting-edge technologies and sustainable energy solutions, navigate the ever-evolving energy landscape, and reduce its environmental footprint. Jenkin was previously chief operating officer. Prior to joining MEA in 2014, Jenkin spent twenty-five years at Chugach Electric Association.

The new Chief Operating Officer is Tony Zellers, responsible for both the Power Supply and Power Delivery divisions. In his nineteen years of experience at MEA, Zellers has worked in dispatch, power restoration, and as senior director of Power Supply. Zellers played a key role in the construction and commissioning of the Eklutna Generation Station, providing project management for the 170 MW power plant.

Justin Patterson was promoted to Chief Administration Officer, overseeing human resources, safety, process improvement, and member services. Patterson joined MEA in 2018 after spending more than twenty years in the telecommunications industry. Patterson holds a MBA degree and is a certified human resources professional.

Two staffers at the US Army Corps of Engineers-Alaska District help strengthen ties to small businesses and tribal organizations.

Sean O’Donnell assumed duties as Tribal Liaison, advising district leadership on Alaska Native topics pertaining to consultation, policy, and federal trust responsibilities. Previously, O’Donnell was a regulatory specialist in the district’s Regulatory Division. Originally from Chicago, O’Donnell studied wildlife biology at UAF and earned a bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. He has worked as a county parks manager, wildlife enforcement ranger, US Forest Service program specialist, a ranger at Denali National Park and Preserve, and program coordinator for the Alaska Office of Children Services.

The district’s Small Business Professional is Ryan Zachry, responsible for advising district leadership on matters that affect small businesses and advising small businesses how to work with the government. Zachry previously served as a business opportunity specialist at the US Small Business Administration, Alaska District office. A US Army veteran, Zachry graduated from the US Army Command and General Staff College and Army Logistics Management College. He earned a bachelor’s degree in marketing from the University of Wyoming and a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Louisville.

Josh Bourgouin recently joined R&M Consultants as a Staff Engineer in the firm’s Site Development Group. In this position, Bourgouin assists with site layout, grading and drainage, stormwater analysis and management, access, signing and striping, and utility connections. Bourgouin has a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from Mississippi State University. He comes to Alaska from Houston, Texas.

The largest RV rental, sales, and service business in the state added several year-round staff. “With our housekeeping, reservations, RV Tech, and accounting departments now more strongly staffed than ever before, we are ready for a promising 2024 season,” says Bob Johnson, director of marketing for Great Alaskan Holidays.

Tammi Wiese is newly promoted to full time, having been with Great Alaskan Holidays for a few years. Wiese is now one of Great Alaskan Holidays’ lead housekeeping technicians.

Cory Gampon, having been with Great Alaskan Holidays for a few years in a part-time role, is now a part of the full-time housekeeping team.

Ethan Korpi Love is now the organization’s Lead Dispatcher. In that role, he is an integral part of seasonal vehicle flows, especially critical during Alaska’s peak tourism season.

Jessica Bowen fills the newly created position of Online Parts Associate. Bowen is primarily responsible for an online presence the company had never deployed in previous years.

Makayla McCarthy is the organization’s new Bookkeeper. Previously the office manager for the Carpenters union, McCarthy is also pursuing her bachelor’s degree in finance at UAA.

Anna Eldridge is new to the company, hired as a Reservations Specialist in the reservations department. Eldridge was previously a barista with Common Grounds and Spenard Grinds.

Joel McDonald was previously employed part-time with Great Alaskan Holidays. He returns with a promotion to Apprentice RV Technician. In that position, he plays a critical role keeping all the company’s motorhomes safe for traveling customers.

David Short joins the ranks of Apprentice RV Technician, having been employed previously part-time with Great Alaskan Holidays. He fills out an already robust and highly skilled team.