The Federation of Community Councils has a new slate of officers for 2003. Harriet Drummond, the owner of Drummond Design, president of the North Star Community Council, and a member of the Anchorage School Board, is the new president of the federation. She will serve with new Vice President Merten Bangemann-Johnson, the vice president of the Chugiak Community Council and vice president of Business Retention and Research for the Anchorage Economic Development Corporation. Kim Stapleton-MacBeath, the president of the Downtown Community Council and a merchant services officer for Northrim Bank is the new secretary. The 2003 Treasurer is Kathleen Plunkett, president of the Russian Jack Park Community Council and accountant for ConocoPhillips Alaska.

Sharon Wright has been promoted from Northrim Bank loan administrative officer to assistant vice president, loan documentation officer, in the bank's loan support services department. She is responsible for managing the loan documentation unit staff, reviewing and approving paid loans, preparing for the release of collateral for the customer, achieving services standards, and ensuring documentation is within regulatory and compliance guidelines. Wright has 15 years of experience in loan documentation and lending, and 19 years of banking experience in Alaska.

Tom Mason is Residential Mortgage LLC's newest mortgage loan originator. As such, he works directly with borrowers to help them identify the proper mortgage package for their needs. Mason has 22 years of experience in Alaska mortgage lending and banking, having spent the past two years as a mortgage executive with Alaska USA Federal Credit Union. He holds a bachelor's degree in business and accounting from Montana State University in Bozeman, Mont., and is a Certified Public Accountant. Mason also volunteers for the Food Bank of Alaska.

Marilyn Maxwell and Russell Farrington are Alaska Certified Residential Real Estate Appraiser Trainees within the state. They have completed 2,500 hours of training with the Appraisal Company of Alaska, and will complete another 2,500 hours of on-site work before sitting for their licensing exams in October. Previously, Maxwell worked for 15 years in human resources and administration. She is a certified Senior Professional of Human Resources with the state. She has been with the Appraisal Company for a year-and-a-half. Farrington, who has been with the company since 2000, works in both appraisals and assessments. He has a bachelor's degree in Business Administration from Stonehill College in Eaton, Mass.

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Southcentral Alaska has promoted Noelle Hardt to senior director of Community Outreach and Development. Previously, she served the clubs as the director of Grants and Government Relations. In her new role, Hardt will provide leadership, planning and staff and budget management for the development division, which encompasses marketing and telemarketing; the grants division; the member data division; and Project LEAD, the club's suicide prevention initiative. Hardt will also continue her responsibilities as a liaison to federal, state and local elected officials on government appropriations and youth public policies. She holds a bachelor's degree in political science with leadership honors from the University of Alaska Anchorage.

Keith Walters has been appointed general manager of Usibelli Coal Mine in Healy. As such, he is responsible for management of mine operations, production, maintenance, engineering, purchasing and safety. Walters has 23 years of experience in the Usibelli mine, having worked as a superintendent since 2001 and as maintenance manager from 1997 to 2001. He is an alumnus of the University of Alaska Fairbanks' mining engineering program.

Bob Labbe and Karleen Jackson are the new deputy commissioners of the Department of Health and Social Services. Labbe has served the department since 1995, most recently as the department's acting deputy commissioner. He has over 35 years in public service in Alaska, Texas and Oregon and is recognized nationally as an expert in Medicaid financing. He holds a bachelor's degree from the University of San Francisco and a master's from the University of New Mexico. Karleen Jackson has worked most recently as the executive director of Catholic Social Services in Anchorage. She has a bachelor's degree in human resources and education from Alaska Pacific University and a master's and doctorate in Human Resources from the Fielding Institute.