Our 2023 Southeast Conference Annual Meeting is right around the corner! We can't wait to see you in Sitka this September 19-21, 2023! Regional business and community leaders will gather to develop an action plan for our economy as we rally around the theme, "Be the Compass. Lead the Way." We are lining up a fantastic roster of speakers that you won't want to miss! Download our Draft Agenda Here.

Southeast Conference Sponsors make our Annual Meeting possible. There is still plenty of time – and lots of opportunities – to become a sponsor of Southeast Conference’s 2023 Annual Meeting! Find out more!

Speaker Spotlight

We are excited to announce Thursday's in-person keynote speaker

Farah Ahmad

USDA Deputy Undersecretary, Rural Development

Farah Ahmad serves as the Deputy Under Secretary for Rural Development at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). She works to advance policies and programs that create economic inclusion and opportunity in rural communities. Before this role, she was the Chief of Staff in the same office. She first joined USDA in 2015 in the Rural Business-Cooperative Service where she led community and economic development programs in rural places and regions. 

Farah also spent a number of years at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau beginning in 2017, where she managed programs that help people improve their financial well-being as well as overseeing agency-wide strategic initiatives. Before joining government service, she served as a Senior Policy Analyst for the Center for American Progress where she developed economic policies focused on racial equity. 

Farah has a Master of Public Affairs from the Princeton University School of Public and International Affairs and a Bachelor of Science from the Cornell University School of Industrial and Labor Relations. She is a proud Midwesterner and Bangladeshi American who, along with her spouse, is often in awe of their two fiercely independent daughters.

Wednesday's Featured Panel:

Investing in SE Alaska's Rural Communities

Susan Bell

Senior Advisor, University of Alaska

Susan Bell is a Senior Advisor to the University of Alaska President. She previously served as President of McKinley Research (formerly McDowell Group), Commissioner of the Department of Commerce, and Goldbelt Vice President. A lifelong Alaskan, Susan has lived in several southeast communities since moving to the region in 1987

Garrett Boyle

Federal Co-Chair, Denali Commission

Prior to his 2021 appointment by the Secretary of Commerce as the Denali Commission Federal Co-Chair, Garrett served as Deputy Chief of Staff and Chief Counsel for Senator Lisa Murkowski for several years. Garrett received his bachelor’s degree from Seattle University and is a graduate of Tulane University School of Law. He was raised in small towns throughout Alaska including Ouzinkie, Unalakleet, and Seward, giving him a deep appreciation for the challenges and opportunities facing Alaska’s rural communities.

Randy Ruaro

Executive Director, AIDEA

Randy Ruaro joined AIDEA as the Executive Director in January of 2023. He is a licensed attorney with 28 years of experience working on access issues, permitting, and state land rights for Alaska. Prior to joining AIDEA, Ruaro served as Governor Dunleavy’s Chief of Staff and has over 20 years of experience providing administrative oversight to state agencies, agency leaders, and implementing policies supporting resource development, infrastructure, and job growth. Mr. Ruaro is a graduate of Northern Arizona University with a degree in political science and holds a Juris Doctorate from Willamette University.

Alana Peterson

Executive Director, Spruce Root

Alana’s Tlingit name is Gah Kith Tin, from Diginaa Hit, Luknahadi. She grew up and currently lives in Sitka, a small island community in Southeast Alaska. Professionally, Alana earned a Bachelor’s of Science in Business Administration at Charleston Southern University. After graduating from college she joined the Peace Corps where she served as a Small Business Development volunteer for two years on the southern coast of Peru. She obtained her Master’s degree in Business Administration from Northern Arizona University. She has continued to work in economic development in her current role as Executive Director at Spruce Root. 

Will Ware

Chief Development Officer, Tlingit & Haida

Will Ware is currently overseeing projects such as Tlingit & Haida’s Cultural Immersion Park, land development of the Kowee Creek subdivision, and startup of the Tribe’s new construction company Southeast General Contractors. He’ll also provide broad oversight of the Tribal Transportation and Business & Economic Development departments, as well as the Tribe’s social enterprises – Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall, Little Eagles and Ravens Nest (LEARN), Sacred Grounds cafés, Sacred Shine Auto Detailing, and Smokehouse Catering.

Will served over six years as Tribal Transportation Manager overseeing the day-to-day operations of the Tribal Transportation department which administers the Tribal Transportation Program (TTP) for Tlingit & Haida and the Organized Village of Saxman. Will previously served as the chair for both the Inter-Tribal Transportation Association and National Congress of American Indians Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, and as a member of the Alaska Marine Highway Reform Project Steering Committee, Governor’s Community and Public Transportation Advisory Board and Governor’s Tribal Advisory Council. Will (Lgeik’I Eesh) is of the Raven moiety and Ta’k Dein Taan clan. He was raised in Petersburg, Alaska by his mother Patricia Svetlak (Chanaat Tlaa) and grandparents Billy (Sagooch) and Martha James (Kaatsu Waa) where Tlingit culture, values and traditions were a part of his everyday life. Will and his wife Christy have four sons – Evan, Adam, Brandon and Billy.

Deven Mitchell

Executive Director and Cheif Executive Officer

Alaska Permenant Fund Corporation

Deven Mitchell serves as the Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation. Selected for this role by the Board of Trustees in October of 2022, Deven provides executive leadership to the Corporation in setting and achieving its mission, goals, and objectives in accordance with guidelines and parameters established by the Board. 

Deven understands the importance of the Permanent Fund and the Corporation’s mandates to protect and maintain the Principal, generate returns and provide a sustainable source of revenue to the State for the benefit of all generations of Alaskans. Prior to APFC, Deven worked for 30 years in public service to the State of Alaska Department of Revenue and the Alaska Municipal Bond Bank, a career of service based on fiduciary duty and commitment to fellow Alaskans.

Mr. Mitchell holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Northern Arizona University. He and his wife Erin reside in Juneau, where they raised their two sons.

Are you aware of a business or community in the region that did something amazing over this last year? Tell us about it! Simply fill out the appropriate nomination form (linked below) and tells us why you think they deserve recognition. Community of the Year and Business of the Year awards will be given out during the banquet at Southeast Conference's upcoming Annual Meeting. Nominations must be received no later than September 4th.

We are excited to invite you to participate in the 2023 Alaska-Canada Wood Energy Conference. Community leaders, agency representatives, scientists, and individuals from around the state and Canada will gather to share experiences, resources, and knowledge while recognizing the potential applications of woody biomass for heating and building in the Arctic and beyond.

The Conference will take place on October 3rd and 4th. Immediately following the conference, we will hold a Small Sawmill Summit on October 5th. Conference attendees are welcome to sign up for a pre-conference field trip to Nenana on October 2nd (space is limited).

Along with its partner organizations and sub-award recipients, the Alaska Mariculture Cluster has been hard at work accelerating a viable and sustainable mariculture industry for the long-term benefit of Alaska's economy, environment, and underserved communities. Visit the newly re-designed website to learn more and join the mailing list to stay informed on the latest RFP opportunities, project updates, and news!

Be Part of the Solution!

Southeast Conference's FY24 membership invoices are on the way to a mailbox near you! If you are not yet a member, please consider joining Southeast Conference. Our membership makes up the base of the SEC Committees. Stay informed and weigh-in on the issues facing the industries that matter the most to you and your community! For more information, please contact  info@seconference.org or learn more at  https://www.seconference.org/membership/