An executive at Anchorage advertising and public relations firm MSI Communications is promoted to President. Kris Miller has been with MSI for more than ten years and recently served as Vice President of Client Services. In her new role, Miller is responsible for agency operations and business success while continuing to serve as the account supervisor for the agency’s largest clients. The promotion also enables owner and CEO Laurie Fagnani to focus on business growth strategies and client relationships.

Bettisworth North Architects and Planners elected Tracy Vanairsdale as the firm’s new President. Vanairsdale joined Bettisworth North in 1997 and for the last ten years has managed the firm’s branch office in Fairbanks, where she was born. Vanairsdale earned a bachelor of architecture degree from the University of Idaho. She has managed projects across Alaska, such as the expansion and renovation of Yukon-Kuskokwim Health Corporation’s Delta Regional Hospital in Bethel, the Morris Thompson Cultural and Visitors Center, Ryan Middle School, Ketchikan Public Library, and Mat-Su Borough’s Dena’ina Elementary School. The leadership transition is only the third since the firm was founded in 1976; Vanairsdale succeeds past president Roy Rountree, who is transitioning to a supporting leadership role with the company.

A fire protection engineer with ten years of experience in the oil and gas and nuclear industries, Spence Carter, joins the team at Coffman Engineers in Anchorage. Carter is a licensed professional engineer in fire protection in Idaho. His previous role at the Idaho National Laboratory was the fire protection engineer at the Advance Test Reactor facility, where he oversaw the inspection, testing, and maintenance programs for fire suppression and detection systems. Carter earned a bachelor’s degree in fire protection and safety technology from Oklahoma State University. His other experience includes fire and gas engineering for BP Alaska and sprinkler system design engineering with Bechtel at the US Department of Energy’s Y-12 National Security Complex in Oak Ridge, Tennessee.

Carina Perez recently joined R&M Consultants as an Engineering Associate in the firm’s Construction Services Department. In this role, Perez provides office engineering on a variety of Alaska infrastructure construction projects, assuring construction work is completed in accordance with plans, specifications, and established procedures. Perez has seventeen years of construction experience in Alaska, the last fifteen as an office engineer for the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities Central Region. Since joining R&M, Perez has already begun providing office engineering for the Noorvik Airport Rehabilitation and Skagway Dyea Road projects.

Northrim Bank is staffing up its new Kodiak branch while also promoting new officers and hiring a new executive.

Cody Beech comes aboard as Vice President – Commercial Loan Officer in Anchorage. Beech joined Northrim in April and has sixteen years of experience in the financial industry in Alaska and California. She holds an MBA from Brandman University in Irvine, California (now known as University of Massachusetts Global).

Blake Rod is promoted to Commercial Loan Officer in Anchorage. Rod has been with Northrim since 2018 and has more than eight years of experience in the financial industry in Alaska. He holds a bachelor’s degree in business from Minnesota State University, Mankato.

After twenty-one years with Northrim, Mary Castro becomes Special Credits Associate Officer. Castro has thirty-one years of experience in the financial industry and has been in the Northrim lending department for six years. Castro has received Northrim’s Customer First Service Award twice.

The bank placed Mira Pagcu as Assistant Branch Manager at the Kodiak Financial Center. Pagcu started with Northrim in November 2022 with six years of experience in banking and is a certified financial counselor. Northrim cut the ribbon at its new Kodiak Financial Center in February.

Ahead of this summer’s centennial of the Alaska Railroad, the state-owned corporation promoted and transferred several key employees, including a successor for the long-time Vice President of Real Estate.

Christy Terry, the director of external affairs for the Alaska Railroad Corporation (ARRC), takes over for Jim Kubitz, who retired in June after more than twenty-five years of lands management. As Vice President of Real Estate, Terry oversees the land services, facilities, and real estate departments. Terry started working for the railroad thirteen years ago as the assistant port manager in Seward. She was promoted to port manager, and last year she became director of external affairs. At the time, she was finishing a three-year term as mayor of Seward.

As Terry’s immediate successor, ARRC promoted Meghan Clemens to Director of External Affairs. Clemens first joined ARRC in 2013 as marketing and communications manager. With an MBA degree from UAA, Clemens is credited with helping improve the user experience of the railroad’s online presence.

While ARRC was wrapping up its first century of operations last fall, Dwayne Atwood succeeded Terry as Seward Port Manager. Atwood was previously serving as assistant port manager. He has been with ARRC since 2017.

Christina Isabelle-Glover was promoted from project analyst manager to Director of Grants. Isabelle-Glover brings more than ten years of railroad experience to the role, with extensive knowledge of grants administration.

Amy Kinnaman was promoted from assistant controller to Controller, just under ARRC’s chief financial officer. Kinnaman is responsible for the oversight of accounting operations. She brings a strong background in financial and grant reporting to the role.

David Greenhalgh transitioned from director of strategic marketing initiatives and guest services to Director of Freight Sales and Marketing. He brings more than twenty-three years of railroad experience to the position.

Tucker Remley was promoted from manager to Director of Guest Services, filling the role previously held by Greenhalgh. Remley demonstrates strong leadership in guest operations, continuing ARRC’s legacy of outstanding customer service.

Rusty Pochatko became Director of Car and Trailer-on-Flatcar (TOFC), making him the point of contact for car shops and TOFC operations in both Anchorage and Fairbanks. Pochatko is an eight-year veteran of ARRC’s mechanical division.

Bryan Cothren was promoted to Director of Locomotive Maintenance Operations. He brings extensive mechanical experience to his new role.

ARRC welcomed Cat Clarke to the role of Corporate Communications Officer upon the retirement of Stephanie Wheeler from the position. A former resident of Nome, Clarke brings experience in community relations and regulation development.

Shane Maloney became ARRC’s newest Facilities Director, departing his former position as manager of real estate. Maloney holds an MBA degree and is one of only forty-four Alaskans to hold a Certified Energy Manager credential from the Association of Energy Engineers. He joined ARRC in 2011.

The Matanuska-Susitna Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB) promoted Casey Ressler to President and CEO, succeeding Bonnie Quill, who announced her retirement after leading the organization since 2000. Ressler has been with the Mat-Su CVB for nearly seventeen years, serving as both the membership manager and the marketing manager for the last fifteen years. “After a thorough and competitive interview process, we are happy to announce Casey Ressler has been promoted to the President and CEO position,” says Board Chair Mark Austin. “He brings a new vision and direction for the CVB but also continuity and the community knowledge and experience we need for the next era.”