Register Today for Southeast Conference's 66th Annual Meeting | |
We can't wait to see you next week in Ketchikan for our 2024 Southeast Alaska Economic Summit and 66th Annual Meeting, September 24-26, 2024! Regional business and community leaders will gather to develop an action plan for our economy as we rally around the theme, "Navigating the Changing Tides." We are lining up a fantastic roster of speakers that you won't want to miss! | |
Conversations with Commissioners | |
JULIE SANDE, Commissioner, DCCED
Commissioner Sande spent much of her 20 years of healthcare experience working with the pioneers and elders of Alaska and credits many of her values and passion for Alaska’s history to the inspiring individuals she has been privileged to care for. Most recently, she served as the Director of the Ketchikan Pioneer Home and as a member of the governing board for the local hospital in Ketchikan. She earned a bachelor’s degree in social work from the University of Montana and a master’s degree in health administration from the University of Southern California. She was appointed to the Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority board and the Alaska Energy Authority board in 2019 and elected Vice Chairman in 2021. Commissioner Sande is also a business owner, whose companies provide services across a range of industries including engineering, construction, tourism, retail, and mariculture. She believes in finding creative solutions when faced with challenges and is grateful to come from a state that is abundant in natural resources—the most valuable of which are the people who live and work in Alaska.
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CATHY MUNOZ
Commissioner, DOLWD
Deputy Commissioner Cathy Muñoz is a life-long Alaskan, small business owner, and the mother of two. She served three terms on the City and Borough of Juneau Assembly and was elected in 2008 to the Alaska House of Representatives where she served four terms.
Workforce development has been a key priority throughout Muñoz’s public service career. In the Legislature, she served as chairwoman of the Community and Regional Affairs Committee and was a member of the House Finance Committee. She advocated for the University of Alaska vocational training programs, and secured funding for Alaska’s first mining simulator. She also sponsored a provision in state law allowing for tax credit contributions to vocational education programs. Muñoz holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from the University of the Pacific, Stockton, California, and is a graduate of the Emerging Leaders Academy at the University of Virginia. She serves on numerous boards and commissions including the Salvation Army Advisory Board, the Juneau Parks Foundation and the Advisory Board of the University of Alaska Southeast.
Deputy Commissioner Muñoz is the mother of Matthew and Mercedes and is married to Juan Muñoz. In 2014 she was adopted into the Raven Coho clan. Her Tlingit name is Kee Nax i Klaa, an honored name given to her by the Kunz family of Juneau, Alaska.
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DOUG VINCENT-LANGE
Commissioner, F&G
Doug Vincent-Lang spent his 34-year public service career at the Alaska Department of Fish and Game before accepting the position of commissioner in January 2019. A scientist with a focus on fulfilling the department's mission, Vincent-Lang began work at the department as a fisheries research and management biologist for the Division of Sport Fish in 1981. He held the positions of regional management and research coordinator and assistant director for 28 years in the Division of Sport Fish. During his tenure at the Division of Sport Fish, Vincent-Lang worked on a number of high-level research and policy issues for the state. He evaluated habitat needs and instream flow requirements of fish while working on the feasibility assessment of the Susitna River Hydro-electric project. He was instrumental in integrating planning into the management of Alaska's recreational fisheries by leading an effort to develop and implement the first-ever strategic plan for the Division of Sport Fish. In 2012, he was named Director of the Division of Wildlife where he managed Alaska's wildlife under the sustained yield principles and public trust doctrine principles. He led legislative wildlife issues on the state, national and international levels.
In addition to his experience in both fisheries and wildlife management, Doug has served as the Endangered Species Act Coordinator for the State of Alaska. He has represented the State of Alaska on a wide range of policy issues including climate change, arctic, and marine policy issues. He holds a B.S. degree in biology/population dynamics from the University of Wisconsin - Green Bay and a M.S. degree in Biological Oceanography from the University of Alaska – Fairbanks. Vincent-Lang lives in Anchorage with his wife of 35 years. He has three children and is teaching his granddaughter to fish, hunt and enjoy Alaska's outdoors.
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EMMA POKON, Commissioner, DEC
Emma Pokon joined DEC in February 2020 from the Alaska Department of Law where she most recently served as a Senior Assistant Attorney General assigned to support DEC. In her time with the Department of Law, she worked as a Special Assistant to the Attorney General, and she worked closely with the Department of Natural Resources and the Regulatory Commission of Alaska. Previously, Ms. Pokon represented the North Slope Borough in natural resource and environmental matters, and she served as a law clerk for the Fairbanks Superior Court. She earned a bachelor's degree in history with a minor in chemistry from Hamilton College. She also achieved a JD and a Master of Studies in Environmental Law from Vermont Law School.
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BRENT GOODRUM
Deputy Commissioner, DNR
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As director of the Division of Mining, Land and Water since 2011, Goodrum led a team of more than 200 people responsible for managing the natural resources that are critical to the economic, cultural and social life of the entire state, including the 105 million acres of land promised to Alaska at statehood.
Goodrum, of Anchorage, came to DNR following his retirement from the U.S. Marine Corps, where he served as an infantry officer. Goodrum graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, and holds a master’s degree in operations research from the Naval Postgraduate School.
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KATHERINE KEITH
Deputy Commissioner, DOT&PF
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Katherine Keith has over twenty years of experience working in rural Alaska and joined the department in 2021 as the Change Management Director after a career as a consultant.
Ms. Keith works with cross-functional interdisciplinary teams on initiatives. Ms. Keith attended the University of Alaska, Fairbanks, earning an BS interdisciplinary degree in Renewable Energy Engineering. She is the author of the 2020 book entitled Epic Solitude, in which she shares her experience living in Alaska’s remote wilderness.
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We're Putting on the Ritz in Ketchikan! | | |
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Join us in Ketchikan for our Southeast Conference Annual Scholarship Banquet and Auction during our upcoming Economic Summit and 66th Annual Meeting! Come ready to celebrate the Roaring 2020s and party like its 1924! Dress in your finest Great Gatsby style and receive an extra drink ticket! It'll be the Bees Knees! We are actively recruiting for auction donations! | |
Wednesday
September 25, 2024
5:45 PM
Ted Ferry Civic Center
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Bus Shuttle Service
Courtesy of the Ketchikan Gateway Borough
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Travel within Ketchikan will be a breeze thanks to the generosity of the Ketchikan Gateway Borough’s Transit department. A special shuttle route will provide scheduled hotel morning pick ups and evening service every 20 min. between all hotels, airport ferry, the Ted Ferry Conference Center and downtown locations. . Additionally conference attendees will be able to travel within Ketchikan on any bus free of charge by showing your conference badge. A transit ap will provide real-time locations and ETA of all busses. Stay Tuned for more information!
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For those staying in Ketchikan until Friday, the community of Metlakatla invites you to visit! Mayor Albert Smith has arranged for a boat leaving Ketchikan at 5pm on Thursday, September 26 and returning at midnight at no charge! Metlakatla activities include a performance by the the 4th Generation Dancers, shopping at the Artist Village, and community Bingo. Contact Mayor Smith with questions: ASmith@metlakatla.com
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Juneau & Saxman selected to join ETIPP cohort | |
Two Southeast Alaska communities were awarded federal funds to study renewable energy projects.
The Department of Energy announced recently that the City and Borough of Juneau and Village of Saxman are among 25 communities that will join the Energy Transitions Initiative Partnership Project (ETIPP), which will provide technical assistance and up to $50,000 per award to advance energy projects.
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DOE Incentives for Hydro Projects | The City and Borough of Sitka, Alaska Electric Light & Power based in Juneau, and Southeast Alaska Power Agency based in Ketchikan, were among 293 recipients in 33 states receiving a total of $430 million in Maintaining and Enhancing Hydroelectricity Incentive payments to upgrade hydropower facilities. The funds are being administered by DOE’s Grid Deployment Office and are funded through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. | |
Small Businss Savings through SEC Energy Audit Program | Are you a Southeast Alaska small business owner interested in cutting energy costs and boosting efficiency? The Southeast Conference Energy Assessment and Audit Program can help through a program funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. | |
RFP for Other Mariculture Species R&D | |
Mariculture farming in Alaska is currently dominated by Pacific Oysters and three species of kelp (sugar, ribbon, and bull). The Alaska Mariculture Cluster grant program has a primary focus on supporting the viability of these species that dominate the current industry. In the long term, it is likely that other species of macroalgae, shellfish, and other mariculture species will be important parts of the industry as well. This RFP is focused on innovation related to other species of interest for cultivation (not including Pacific Oysters, bull kelp, sugar kelp, or ribbon kelp). | |
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