Movers and Shakers 8/19/12

PND Engineers Inc., announces the following new hires and professional achievements in our Anchorage office. Aaron Lewis was hired as a staff engineer specializing in geotechnical work. Lewis has a master of engineering degree in geotechnical engineering from the University of Idaho, and has one year of professional experience, spent in Gladstone, Australia, onsite at the construction of an LNG facility. Timothy Reynolds was hired as a document control technician. Reynolds is a lifelong Alaskan, and has a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Alaska Anchorage. Timothy Peters was hired as a computer support technician. Peters is currently a student at the University of Alaska Anchorage, majoring in computer systems technology. Irene Frye was hired as the Anchorage office’s new receptionist. She brings more than 12 years of administrative experience to the firm. Aurora Courtney, a senior environmental scientist, was recently awarded the Certified Environmental Professional-in-Training status by the Academy of Board Certified Environmental Professionals. Steven Halcomb, senior engineer, completed his master’s degree in arctic engineering from the University of Alaska Anchorage.

Ellen Kazary is the new development director Rural Alaska Community Action Program Inc. During the past 10 years, Kazary has been employed in RurAL CAP’s Community Development Division developing and managing energy and environmental programs in rural Alaska and subsistence advocacy. Prior to that, she was an educator and policy program manager. Kazary attended Oberlin College in Ohio where she received her bachelor’s degree in environmental studies.

Three new members have been elected to The Institute of the North board of directors: Matt Ganley, vice president of Resources and External Affairs at Bering Straits Native Corp.; Brad Keithley, partner and co-head of the Oil and Gas practice at Perkins Coie; and Karen Matthias, Alaska economic and political consultant at Matthias Consulting, Ganley has worked for BSNC and Bering Straits Foundation since 1993. He now serves as vice president, resources and external affairs after working as staff anthropologist, land manager and vice president of land and resources. Keithley is a partner and co-head of the Oil & Gas practice at Perkins Coie. Keithley is a past co-chair of the Institute of Energy Law’s Annual Oil & Gas Law Conference and was a founding co-chair of their Annual Law of LNG Conference. Matthias is an Anchorage-based consultant who provides clients with strategic analysis of Alaska’s economic and political landscapes, focusing on advocacy and business development efforts in the state. A Canadian diplomat for sixteen years, The new board members join the newly elected executive committee – Drue Pearce (chair), Duane Heyman (vice chair), Randy Hagenstein (secretary), Peter Scott (treasurer), Ira Perman (at-large); and current members Admiral Thomas Barrett, Dr. Jack Hickel, Brit Szymoniak, and Dr. Michael Sfraga.

Renea Saade has joined the Stoel Rives LLP Labor and Employment group in the firm’s Anchorage office. Saade joins the firm as a partner and has experience with a broad range of employment issues, including noncompetition/nonsolicitation enforcement and defense, wrongful termination, requests for accommodation, wage/hour compliance, workers’ compensation, workplace investigations and discipline. Before joining Stoel Rives, Renea was a partner at Oles Morrison Rinker & Baker LLP. Prior to that she was an attorney with Schwabe, Williamson & Wyatt in Seattle and Riemer & Braunstein LLP in Boston.

The Cook Inlet Regional Citizens Advisory Council has hired Lynda Giguere as director of public outreach. Giguere brings more than 30 years of experience in public, media and government relations to the council. As a public servant for the State of Alaska for more than 22 years, Lynda worked as an information officer for several departments, press office assistant for Gov. Tony Knowles and legislative and committee aide for four Alaska state legislators. In the private sector, Lynda was Alaska program director for a national strategic communications firm; led marketing and promotions for Perseverance Theatre, and worked in the tourism industry. A 37-year Alaska resident, Giguere assumed the duties of Jerry Rombach, who was promoted to director of administration in July.

Anchorage attorney Peter Maassen was appointed to the Alaska Supreme Court. Maassen replaces Justice Morgan Christen, who was appointed to the United States Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit. Maassen came to Alaska in 1980 with his wife, and has been in private practice most of his career. He earned a bachelor’s degree at Hope College and his juris doctorate at the University of Michigan Law School. He is currently a partner at the general civil firm Ingaldson, Maassen & Fitzgerald PC, which represents individuals, businesses, government entities, and non-profits in litigation. Prior to that, he worked at Burr, Pease & Kurtz PC, practicing as an associate and eventually as a partner. He is also a member of the Anchorage Youth Court Board of Directors and the Alaska Bar Association Board of Governors.

Gregory E. Strong recently joined Ouzinkie Native Corp. as its president/CEO. Strong has extensive experience in real estate development and executive management. Most recently Strong was President of Calista Real Estate. In his career he owned his own real estate company developing more than $35 million worth of residential real estate in the Mat-Su Valley. Also, he served as executive vice president/CEO of Eklutna Inc., Anchorage’s largest landowner, and CEO of the Fairbanks North Star Borough in the 1980s where he led the effort to develop the land use plan that set the foundation for development there today. Strong received his education in Wisconsin with a bachelor’s degree in biology, a master’s in education, and a doctorate in administrative leadership/administration from the University of Wisconsin in 1980. ONC is an Alaska Native village corporation which represents some 500 indigenous people of Afognak, Kodiak and Spruce Islands of Southern Alaska.

Drue Pearce was reappointed to the Alaska Aerospace Corp. board of directors. Pearce is the president of Spill Shield Anchorage and a senior policy advisor at Crowell & Moring. From 2006-10, she served as the federal coordinator for Alaska Natural Gas Transportation Projects. Prior to that, Pearce was the senior advisor for Alaska to the U.S. Secretary of the Interior. A longtime Alaska legislator, Pearce served twice as president of the Alaska Senate and also as a legislative ex-officio member of the Alaska Aerospace Corp. board. She is reappointed as a member representing the private business sector.