Mike Humphrey recently joined The Wilson Agency as senior employee benefits advisor on the account advisory team. His responsibilities include developing strong relationships within the large accounts division, oversight of commercial account lines and developing catered benefit solutions for large corporations.

Anchorage, AK.—Jim Scherieble, general manager of Kenworth Alaska, has been elected president of the Alaska Trucking Association at the association’s annual meeting here.

Scherieble will serve until next April along with George Lowery, Alaska Manager Totem Ocean Trailer Express, First Vice President; Scott Hicks, Vice President Operations, Alaska West Express, Second Vice President; and Mike Moeller, Director of Trucking, Crowley Petroleum Distribution, Secreatry-Treasurer.

AKHeartInstitute_HiteMcGee
Alaska Heart Institute in Fairbanks has announced the appointment of Keli Hite McGee to the position of chief operating officer.

Hite McGee is the founder of Hites Consulting Inc. Prior to starting her business, Keli was an organizational development professional responsible for hiring other consultants and trainers. Keli started her Alaska company in order to provide knowledge and skills in leadership and employee productivity.

Wallace holds a bachelor of arts in environmental science from Warren Wilson College. He has experience in recruiting, retaining and managing staff and volunteers and is a well-traveled teacher. Additionally, he has presented at the annual conferences for the Association of Science and Technology Centers and United States Ombudsman Association, as well as working in and presenting to over thirty remote Alaska villages from Metlakatla to Barrow.

Bethel, AK – Bethel Native Corp. an ANCSA Village Corp., held its 38th annual shareholders meeting in Bethel recently and elected three directors: Lyman Hoffman, Henry Hunter Sr., and Donna Lindsey.

The board elected the following officers: Lyman Hoffman, Chairman; Mary Kenick, Vice Chair; Stanley Rodgers, Treasurer; A. Louise Charles, Secretary; and Gregory Hoffman, Sr., Assistant Secretary. Continuing directors now serving on the Board include Robert Hoffman, Robert Lekander, Donna Lindsey and Henry Hunter Sr. President/CEO is Ana Hoffman.

Woodson Technical Services LLC has announced that Todd Kasteler, P.E., has joined both Woodson Technical Services and TK General Construction as general manager. Kasteler holds a bachelor's degree in civil engineering from the the University of Alaska Anchorage. He has more than 20 years of experience in construction management, project management and engineering design in Alaska and has been a registered professional engineer for five years.

The Anchorage law firm Brena, Bell & Clarkson recently announced the hiring of Kelly Helmbrecht and Matthew Clarkson as attorneys.

HelmbrechtHelmbrecht is a lifelong Alaskan.

She received her Bachelor of Arts in political science from the University of San Diego and her Juris Doctor Cum Laude from the Thomas Jefferson School of Law in San Diego. She was on the distinguished honor roll and honor roll several times.

Hagen_GraikaHagen_HiteHagen Insurance has announced the addition of Pat Graika and Crystal Hite to the company.

Graika is vice president and producer with over 30 years experience in the insurance industry. She is well-versed in all dimensions of business insurance.

Chugach_CooperIn other Chugach_NordlundSisi Cooper and Jim Nordlund were elected to three-year terms on the Chugach Electric Association board of directors. Election results were announced at the cooperative utility’s annual meeting in May. Steve Strait was also a candidate in the election.

Usibelli_WeaverUsibelli Coal Mine’s President, Joe Usibelli Jr., recently announced the promotion of Glen Weaver to vice president finance and chief financial officer for UCM. Weaver replaces Rick Hundrup, who retired after 35 years with UCM. Weaver will have responsibility for finance and administration of UCM and several affiliated companies.

Weaver was born and raised in Fairbanks. He attended the University of Alaska Fairbanks, where he graduated Magna Cum Laude with a BBA-Accounting degree in 1991.

REE_EvansAnchorage – May 14, 2012 - Jason Evans was hired as Chief Executive Officer for Rural Energy Enterprises. Evans will oversee the operations and financial management of the company. He recently served as the president and CEO of Financial Alaska, a business consulting firm. Evans has over 15 years of experience working for Alaska Native Corporations and Alaska business owners. Evans holds a bachelor’s degree in organizational management from Alaska Pacific University.

MSHF_KemberlingWasilla, AK—The Mat-Su Health Foundation (MSHF) recently welcomed Melissa Kemberling to the foundation team. Melissa holds a Ph.D. in sociology from Tulane University and a Master’s in Public Health from Columbia University. She spent the last six years serving as the lead epidemiologist for the Alaska Tribal Health Consortium. In this capacity, she worked with a team of epidemiologists to map the regional health status of Alaska Natives.

MainStreetChamber_MasonThe MainStreetChamber has announced the appointment of Ron “Cat” Mason to the position of Alaska state director and chapter president of MainStreetChamber Anchorage.

Mason is the Founder and CEO of CM&A Consulting, LLC, a marketing strategy firm. Mason has a Bachelor of Science degree in technical management with an emphasis on sales and marketing.

Country_IzattMelissa Izatt of Chugiak has been named a financial representative for Country Financial.

Izatt recently completed the organization’s extensive training to help clients become financially secure. The training also focuses on guiding clients toward successfully setting and achieving their goals.

Harold L. Hollis, P.E.Coffman Engineers announces the retirement of its long time general manager, Harold L. Hollis, P.E., after 30 years of service with the company.

Hollis was a senior vice president and served on the Board of Directors and as general manager of Coffman’s Anchorage office for 23 years. He was instrumental in guiding the growth and success of Coffman’s business in Alaska and expanding its services to the Pacific by opening offices in Honolulu and Guam.

Hollis intends to remain in Alaska.

University of Alaska President Pat Gamble has announced that Ashok K. Roy was selected to serve as vice president of finance and administration and chief financial officer for the UA System following a national search.

Roy has more than 40 years of experience in banking, finance and administration in both the private and public sector, including higher education. Much of that career has been at the senior level of management.
President Gamble says Roy will start at UA on June 1, 2012.

Anchorage, Alaska - The Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute (ASMI) announced the lineup for the Great Alaska Seafood Cook Off. The six chefs selected to compete in the live cook off are:

* Christopher Vane - Crush Wine Bistro, Anchorage
* Aaron Apling-Gilman – Seven Glaciers, Girdwood
* Kristi Skaflestad - Chipper Fish, Hoonah
* Mary Helms - Joint Base Elmendorf Richardson, Anchorage
* Gil Turturici - The Chart Room, Kodiak
* Kevin Lane - Alaska Culinary Academy, Seward

LaschoberMeyerRamirezSarah Laschober has been promoted to reservations manager at Alaska Native owned and operated CIRI Alaska Tourism Corp. Laschober has been with the company for more than five years.

R&M Consultants Inc. has announced that the following team members have received professional licensure or certification.

Brian Meyers, PLS passed the professional land surveying exam and was promoted to senior land surveyor. Brian has been with the firm since 2008. He has more than nine years of surveying and mapping experience, offering significant experience performing property, topographic, engineering design and route surveys for clients throughout Alaska. Brian holds a B.S. in Geomatics from the University of Alaska Anchorage.

Optima_PaulusGraphic and website designer Sarah Paulus of Paulus Designs has joined Optima Public Relations as Design Director.

“This is huge for our firm because of Sarah’s knowledge in graphic and web design coupled with her animation and social media skills,” said Tom Anderson, Optima’s managing partner.