Current Advisory Board Members

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• Amanda Allard
  

  Credit Union 1

  At Credit Union 1, Marketing Strategist Amanda Allard proves that digital marketing and community values go hand-in-hand. She blends her digital savvy with a passion for local outreach, playing a key role in expanding the credit union's footprint in Alaska through digital channels.

  Amanda was born and raised in Anchorage, Alaska, graduating from Service High School. She then went on to UAA where she found her spark of interest in volunteerism, through the National Society of Leadership & Success and the CBPP Management & Marketing Club. She earned a dual bachelors of business administration in management and marketing, with a minor in communication - graduating as an honors scholar and undergraduate researcher in 2020. Afterwards she went on to earn a master of science in organizational leadership from Creighton University in 2023.

  Amanda’s background in service has lead to her working with and sitting on the boards of a number of local non-profits, including: Identity Health, American Marketing Association, Women’s Power League of Alaska, in addition to the CBPP. Notably, she was a finalist for the Anchorage Chamber 2025 Young Professional of the Year. 

  In her free time, Amanda channels her creativity into home renovations and cooking homemade meals. When she's not tackling a project or out on the water fishing, she loves to recharge with a good Netflix marathon.

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  Jon Bittner

  Anchorage Economic Development Corporation

  Jon Bittner currently serves as the President and CEO of the Anchorage Economic Development Corporation where he focuses on bring in innovation and new growth opportunities to Alaska’s largest city. Jon is a fifth generation Alaskan with over a decade of experience in the business and economic development sector in Alaska.  Over the course of his career, he has served as Deputy Commissioner of the Dept of Commerce, Community and Economic Development, State Director of the Alaska Small Business Development Center, and External Affairs Manager for MDF Alaska.  Through those roles he was able to drive new programs, new funding and new innovation in industries across the state.  He has been recognized for his efforts by the Alaska Journal of Commerce, the Alaska Society of Leadership and Success, Development Counselors International, and the International Economic Development Council.  

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  Joy Boston (Ex-Officio)

  Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Community Partnerships

  Joy is the Community Partnerships Coordinator and Alaska Native Liaison for the 673d Air Base Wing at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson. She is responsible for developing and maintaining public-public and public-private (P4) partnership opportunities for the installation. Joy also directs installation engagement with local Alaska Native Tribes, leaders and corporations. She monitors activity around JBER to ensure installation mission sustainment, prevent encroachment and actively participates in Municipality of Anchorage Community Council meetings  sharing installation updates with Anchorage citizens every month. She is a member of the Municipality’s Military and Veterans Affairs Commission and helps organize the city’s annual Memorial Day event.

  Joy is a combat veteran and diplomat who served 25 years in the U.S. Air Force as a commander, airfield operations specialist and foreign area officer. She is a graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy, earned a Master’s Degree in Security Studies focused on the Middle East at the Naval Postgraduate School and completed the Modern Standard Arabic course at the Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center. Joy served in Operations IRAQI FREEDOM, ENDURING FREEDOM, FREEDOM’S SENTINEL and NATO’s Resolute Support Mission. She also served in support of counter-drug operations at the U.S. Embassy in Lima, Peru, as a Defense Security Cooperation Officer at the U.S Embassy in Muscat, Oman and as a Military Advisor to the Bureau of Near East Affairs at the State Department.

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  Jasmine Boyle

  RurAL CAP

   

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  Arthur Clark

  Alaska Real Estate Associations

  Art Clark is Broker/Co-owner Alaska Real Estate Associates and Real Broker Anchorage. He is a past member of the Anchorage Chamber of Commerce, Past President of the Anchorage Board of Realtors and Past President of the Alaska Association of Realtors. Mr. Clark is also a Past President of the local Community Association Institute.

  Mr. Clark has served on many committees that have been dealing with affordable housing in the Anchorage Municipality, including the AEDC Live Work Play, affordable Housing Committee.

  Mr. Clark is a lifelong Alaskan, originally from Fairbanks. He worked as a real estate appraiser in Fairbanks, and as a Property Inspector for the Alaska Housing Finance Corporation. He has worked in real estate sales since 1991. He has been a Broker since 1998. Mr. Clark has been very active in the community with Rotary and with the Chamber of Commerce and Realtors.

  Mr. Clark has an Associates of Arts Degree from UAF, and a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Alaska Pacific University.

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  Amy Cooper

  School of Management, University of Alaska Fairbanks

  Amy Cooper, CPA, is an Assistant Professor of Accounting and the Accounting Program Director at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. She has been teaching at UAF for thirteen years and has lived in Alaska for 21 years (she moved to Alaska thinking it would be for a year!).

  Prior to teaching at UAF, Amy worked in public accounting for over 10 years. She started at Arthur Andersen in Seattle before she moved to Alaska. In Fairbanks, she worked for Walsh, Kelliher & Sharp and in Anchorage, she worked for F.M. Strand & Associates.

  Amy is active in the accounting profession, both at the state and national level. She has served as the President of the Alaska Society of CPAs and currently serves as both its chair of the Leadership Committee and its designated member to the American Institute of CPAs’ Council (AICPA). She has served on multiple committees for the AICPA, including the Young Members Committee, the Nominations Committee, and the Academic Executive Committee. She was recognized in 2015 and 2016 as CPA Practice Advisor’s “Top 40 under 40”.

  Amy earned her B.S. from Birmingham-Southern College and her Master of Professional Accounting in Taxation from the University of Washington. She is currently pursuing her Doctorate of Business Administration at the University of Missouri-St. Louis. She lives in Fairbanks with her husband, son, daughter, 2 dogs, and 1 cat.

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  Art Dahlin

  TOTE Maritime

  Art Dahlin is the Vice President and Alaska General Manager for TOTE Maritime. He is responsible for the execution of TOTE’s strategy and goals in the Alaska operation as well as strengthening partnerships in the industry and community.

  Art most recently came from TOTE’s sister company, Foss Maritime, where he served as General Manager since 2018. He has 15 years of experience in maritime project management, strategic leadership, and business development.

  Art graduated from the United States Merchant Marine Academy, in Kings Point, NY (2007). He earned a Master of Business Administration from the Foster School of Business at the University of Washington in Seattle (2015).

  Art lives in Anchorage with his wife, Ashley, and their two sons.

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  Lori Davey

  General Communication Inc. (GCI)

  Lori Davey is a Vice President at GCI Business leading the Enterprise and Midmarket commercial sales teams.

  She is a life-long Alaskan who was raised in Tok. She is a partner/fund manager at Alyeska Venture Management, an Anchorage-based angel fund investing in startup businesses. Lori’s prior experience includes executive roles in telecommunications, data mining, and oil field services.

  Lori is deeply involved in the Alaska community and serves as a U.S. Representative on the Arctic Economic Council focused on telecommunications and responsible resource development; as a trustee for the Alaska Chapter of the Nature Conservancy; as vice president of Education Matters; and on the finance committee of the Alaska Community Foundation. Lori earned both BA and MBA degrees from the University of Alaska Anchorage, and was recognized in 2009 as an Alaska Journal of Commerce “Top 40 under 40”.

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  Bob Doehl

  Municipality of Anchorage

  Robert Doehl is the Building Official and Development Services Director for the Municipality of Anchorage. As part of the response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Mr. Doehl temporarily stepped up as the Mass Care Branch Director for the Anchorage Emergency Operations Center during the forecast surge. He serves on the Advisory Board to share governmental perspectives and priorities. Over 4 decades, he has served as a military officer as well as in civilian positions in federal, state and local government and on the staff of a United States senator. Since 1989, Mr. Doehl has been an Anchorage resident. Committed to making Anchorage the best possible place to live, Mr. Doehl also serves on the board of directors for a non-profit organization, Anchorage Cops for Community. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Russian Linguistics from Lawrence University in Appleton, WI, and a Juris Doctorate from the University of Illinois in Champaign, IL.

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• Vladislav Finko

  Alaska Wealth Advisors

  Vladislav Finko is the Marketing Strategist at Alaska Wealth Advisors and a recognized community leader dedicated to Alaska's economic and professional future. A recent inductee into the 2026 Top Forty Under 40 class and the recipient of the UAA Alumni of Distinction – Emerging Leader award, Vlad leverages his hybrid background in finance and marketing to drive both corporate growth and community impact.
   
  He serves as the Incoming Chair of the Anchorage Chamber’s Young Professionals Group, sits on the Board of Directors for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Alaska, and is a member of the UAA College of Business and Public Policy Advisory Board. A first-generation immigrant and college graduate, Vlad is passionate about youth mentorship, financial literacy, and creating environments where young Alaskans can thrive. When he is not working or volunteering, he is an avid outdoorsman, artist, and advocate for Alaska's vibrant local culture.

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  Brian J. Franklin, MD, MBA

  Stanford Medicine

  Brian J. Franklin, MD, MBA is a resident physician in the Department of Emergency Medicine at Stanford University. Dr. Franklin’s focus is on improving hospital patient flow to make acute care safer and more accessible for all. He has lectured nationally, published high-impact peer-reviewed research, and led a wide array of improvement projects on interventions targeted at emergency department boarding and hospital crowding.

  Brian received his BBA in accounting from University of Alaska Anchorage, his MBA from Harvard Business School, and his MD from University of Michigan. Prior to residency, he spent 15 years as an entrepreneur, where he founded, led, and sold the largest Alaska-based test prep and tutoring company. He previously worked as a management consultant for large-hub U.S. airports and is a licensed pilot.

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  Patty Hickok

  NANA North

  Patty Hickok has over 20 years of experience in Human Resources. She is the Sr. Director of HRIS, HR Operations and Employee Relations at NANA North, and has been an adjunct professor of Human Resources at Alaska Pacific University for over 15 years.

  She is passionate about education and grateful to UAA for the many ways it shaped her life. UAA gave her her first job in the United States, her education through four degrees, including an MBA, and the start of her career in Human Resources. With encouragement from Dr. Frank Jeffries, she joined the UAA SHRM Student Chapter, which led her to a career she truly loves. Since then, she has remained deeply involved in the HR community, including serving on the Anchorage SHRM board for more than 20 years and presiding over local, state and regional HR organizations. 

  Patty volunteers for community organizations such as, Friends of Pets and as President of her Homeowner’s Association. She holds four degrees from UAA, including an MBA.

  Patty is from Mazatlán, México, and has lived in Eagle River for over 25 years.

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  Debra Mason

  Thomas Head & Greisen, PC

  Debra is the managing director and a shareholder of Thomas, Head & Greisen, PC. She has lived and worked in Anchorage for over 30 years. She is a Certified Public Accountant licensed to practice in Alaska. In addition to managing the firm, she manages the firm’s services with regards to litigation support and forensic accounting. She has directed engagements for audits, attestation assertions, reviews, agreed upon procedures, and compilations. Debra became a Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) in 2003. She provides support for litigation in such areas as fraud examinations, wage and hour claims and cost accounting issues.

  Debra is a member of the Alaska Society of CPAs, the American Institute of CPAs, and the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners. She is or has served on boards for the Anchorage Chapter of Certified Fraud Examiners, Anchorage International Rotary Club, Rotary District 5010 finance committee, Saint Benedict Church finance committee and the Catholic Foundation of Alaska. Debra is the treasurer for the Anchorage International Rotary Club for 2020-2021 and 2021-2022. She currently serves as treasurer for Rotary District 5010 Grants fund.

  Debra obtained her Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in Accounting from Montana State University in June 1981.

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  Tana Skye Nevada (President)

  American Cancer Society

  Skye is a lifelong, third-generation Alaskan who has dedicated her life to promoting and increasing involvement within the community. While attending the University of Alaska Anchorage, College of Business and Public Policy, she cemented the belief that involvement at any level, whether at home, school, or in the workplace, leads to positive growth and development through authentic and open relationships.

  After spending five years in HR for oil and gas, Skye drastically switched gears and is now a Sr. Development Manager for the American Cancer Society. She serves in multiple leadership positions within the Anchorage Chamber of Commerce including the Young Professionals Group, the Municipal Activity Committee, and the Board of Directors. She is also an active boardmember and volunteer leader of many organizations and charity events such as Stand Together Against Rape (STAR) Alaska, the UAA Alumni Association, the Petroelum Club of Anchorage, the annual Mayor’s Charity Ball, and many more.

  When not encouraging others to be active community members, Skye finds encouragement for herself out on the water while kayaking with family and friends.

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  Rebecca Parker

  Anchorage Senior Activity Center

  Rebecca Parker has thirty years of recognized achievement in business, civic, and political arenas. Her professional activities include philanthropy and fund-raising program and special event management, nonprofit leadership, public relations, marketing, and advertising.

  She currently serves as Executive Director for the Anchorage Senior Activity Center and has been with the organizations for six years. Previously, she served as Major Gifts Officer for Blood Bank of Alaska; Stakeholder Relations Manager for Alyeska Pipeline Service Company; Special Assistant to the Commissioner of Health and Social Services for the State of Alaska, and President of the Providence Alaska Foundation while overseeing Providence’s Public Affairs Department; and was Executive Director of Commonwealth North.

  During her 20-year career with ARCO Alaska, Inc., she held progressive positions in Public Affairs, and was Director of Community Relations, where her duties included oversight of the ARCO Foundation in Alaska. Through her work in philanthropy, she was instrumental in working with statewide nonprofits and hosting Philanthropy Northwest members to Alaska.

  Ms. Parker served on many community and professional boards and commissions. Alaska Public Media, the Alaska Community Foundation; Catholic Social Services; the Anchorage Opera, and Serve Alaska Commission, among others.

  She is a past President of the Anchorage Rotary Club, Downtown, and the Imaginarium, a hands-on science center for children. She currently serves as President of Alaska Geriatric Exchange Network, (AGENET), a statewide association of 50 members representing hundreds of care providers across the state.

  Awards include YWCA Women of Achievement and the Anchorage Chamber of Commerce Athena award recipient; Anchorage School District Volunteer of the Year, and was recognized as an Oregon State University Alumni Fellow, a distinguished award.

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  Jessica Roley

  MedPhysicals Plus, LLC

  Jessica Roley is the owner and director of operations of MedPhysicals Plus, LLC, a health information company headquartered in Anchorage with a presence in 20 states during the previous twelve years. Jessica has over 30 years of management experience in the health information services business. MedPhysicals conducts health evaluations and collects medical specimens to support medical diagnosis, insurance medical underwriting, occupational health, and research laboratories.

  Jessica has served on the Anchorage chapter's Big Brother Big Sisters of Alaska Leadership Council. She is a current member of Women in Financial Services and a former Alaska chapter president. She is also a current member and former board member of the Alaska chapter of the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors.

  Jessica holds a Master of Business Administration from the University of Washington's Foster School of Business.

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• Carin Denise Silkaitis

  Arts and Sciences, University of Alaska Southeast

  Carin Silkaitis serves as Dean of the School of Arts and Sciences and Professor of Humanities at UAS. She has also held several interim leadership roles, including Provost, Dean of Research & Sponsored Programs, Dean of Graduate Studies (all AY25), and Dean of Career Education (AY24).

  Originally from Chicago, Carin previously worked at Columbia College Chicago, where she was the Allen and Lynn Turner Chair of the Theatre Department, a Professor of Theatre, and a Faculty Fellow on the institution’s Antiracism Transformation Team. In this role, she managed a significant budget, led a large faculty, and oversaw numerous annual productions. Her leadership played a key role in strengthening recruitment efforts and improving student retention during the COVID-19 pandemic.

  Carin spent 17 years at North Central College in Naperville, Illinois, including seven years as Chair of both the Art and Theatre departments. During her tenure, she also served as Head of Acting, Theatre Program Coordinator, Title IX Investigator, and Lead Trainer for Green Dot, a bystander intervention program focused on preventing power-based personal violence. She led a comprehensive revision of the theatre curriculum and guided the department through a period of notable growth, including major fundraising initiatives.

  Her commitment to collaboration and community engagement is reflected in her service on various boards and councils, including her role as President of the Juneau Arts and Humanities Council. At UAS, she contributes to the Chancellor’s Advisory Committee on Belonging, Empowerment, Access, Representation, and Safety (BEARS), underscoring her dedication to equity and inclusion.

  A strategic and experienced leader, Carin brings a thoughtful, forward-looking approach to higher education. Her work continues to support innovation, foster inclusive environments, and contribute meaningfully to ongoing conversations within her institution and beyond.

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  Andrea Story

  R&M Consultants, Inc.

  Andrea Story, CPSM is the Vice President of Marketing and Business Development at R&M Consultants, Inc. (R&M). Andrea has 23 years of experience in professional services marketing, including the past 15 years with R&M. She specializes in marketing and strategic planning, market research, communications and proposal development. Andrea also serves as Vice President on the firm’s Board of Directors, and as a member of R&M’s senior management team is involved in the majority of firm business decisions. In addition to her marketing and business development responsibilities, she oversees the firm’s administrative staff and human resources functions.

  Andrea holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree with an emphasis in Marketing from the University of Alaska Anchorage, and in 2001, became Alaska’s first Certified Professional Services Marketer (CPSM) through the Society for Marketing Professional Services (SMPS). Andrea was instrumental in starting a local chapter of SMPS in 2011, and was named the Society’s Chapter President of the Year in 2014. Andrea served as a member of the UAA Alumni Association Board of Directors from 2014 to 2018, and is a current member of the UAA College of Business and Public Policy Advisory Board. She also represents the Alaska Professional Design Council and American Council of Engineering Companies, Alaska Chapter on issues pertaining to Qualifications Based Selection.

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  Chad Stovall

  U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)

  J. Chad Stovall is the Alaska Field Director at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) office located in Anchorage, AK. As director, he is responsible for oversight of HUD’s Alaska staff, portfolio, and operations.

  Chad started his federal career in Washington, DC, working in the George W. Bush Administration. During his time in the administration, he worked on renewable energy legislation in the 2008 Farm Bill, the President’s agricultural budget, and developing new funding programs within USDA.

  After the administration Chad fulfilled a lifelong ambition by moving to Alaska. In 2009, he relocated to Palmer to accept a position with USDA Rural Development in the Alaska State Office. After 12 years with USDA, he accepted a position as Chief Operations Officer for the Denali Commission. In this role, Chad concentrated on partnerships, leveraging, and strategic development efforts.

  Chad attended BYU Hawaii, earning degrees in International Business Administration and Political Science. A highlight of his college experience was completing two internships in Washington, DC. The first in 2005, with the U.S. House of Representatives, Committee on Natural Resources and in 2007, at The White House, Office of Political Affairs.

  Originally from the Chattanooga, TN area, Chad married into an Alaska family and has settled in the Hatchers Pass area.

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  Tosha Swan Pereira (Vice-President)

  Spawn Ideas

  Tosha Swan Pereira, IOM, is an accomplished leader and creative who recently returned to her professional roots in communications and advertising at Spawn Ideas following a distinguished career at the Anchorage Chamber of Commerce. Tosha has a Bachelor's Degree in Journalism and Public Communications with an emphasis in Public Relations and Advertising from the University of Alaska Anchorage, and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Graphic Design from Full Sail University. She has nearly two decades of experience in communications, marketing, graphic design, and event management.

  In 2025, she graduated with a Certificate of Nonprofit Management from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's Institute of Organization Management. In 2020, Tosha was recognized as one of the ACCE's top 40 Under 40 of the chamber industry’s emerging leaders and later honored by the Alaska Journal of Commerce in the 2021 Top Forty Under 40. Tosha is a member of Anchorage East Rotary and serves on the boards of The CIRI Foundation, Anchorage School Business Partnership, and is the vice chair of the UAA College of Business and Public Policy Advisory Board. In addition, she is a member of the UAA Meritorious Service Award Committee and frequently volunteers for AIGA Alaska, the professional association for design.

  She grew up in Kenai, AK, and is a member of the Kenaitze Indian Tribe. She has lived in Anchorage since 2003 and enjoys traveling, live music, the great outdoors, and adventuring with her daughter, LilyAnn, and husband, Carlos.

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  Don Weckhorst (Ex-Officio)

  Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson (JBER)

  Mr. Donald C. Weckhorst is the Executive Director, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson (JBER) and the 673d Air Base Wing. In this capacity he acts as a principle advisor to the installation commander and is the senior civilian in the 673 ABW. JBER hosts the headquarters for the United States Alaskan Command, 11th Air Force, U.S. Army Alaska, and the Alaskan North American Aerospace Defense Command Region. The 673d ABW maintains an $11.4B infrastructure encompassing 80,000 acres, ensuring Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson remains America's premier strategic power projection platform. Mr. Weckhorst directs and coordinates the actions of 16 wing staff agencies. The 673d ABW, with its four groups operates and maintains the joint base for air sovereignty, combat training, force staging and throughput operations in support of worldwide contingencies. The 673d ABW comprises over 5,500 joint military and civilian personnel, supporting America's Arctic Warriors and their families. The wing supports and enables three AF total-force wings, two Army Brigades and 55 other tenant units. In addition, the wing provides medical care to over 35,000 joint service members, dependents, VA patients and retirees throughout Alaska.

  Prior to this appointment, Mr. Weckhorst had a distinguished military career as an officer in the United States Air Force. He served in a variety of command and staff positions with assignments as the Pacific Air Forces Inspector General, a Japan-based fighter wing Vice Commander, a Group Commander, a Fighter Squadron Commander and deputy director Combined Air Operations Center USCENTAF. He held staff positions at Headquarters Air Force, the Pentagon, Air Combat Command, 5th Air Force and Pacific Air Forces. A command pilot, Mr. Weckhorst has over 3,500 hours in the F-16, F-5 and A-10 to include combat operations during Operation SOUTHERN WATCH.

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  Joe Zimmermann

  Cook Inlet Marketing Group, Inc.

  Joe Zimmermann is a co-owner and director of Cook Inlet Marketing Group, Inc. (Chevron/Denali Express), which owns 12 Chevron Service Stations and Convenience Stores in Anchorage, Eagle River and Palmer. He is a University of Alaska (UA) graduate, 1979, with a Bachelor of Technology, Engineering/Management, and he received his MBA from Pepperdine University in 1983. Over a period of 15 years, he served as an adjunct instructor for the University of Alaska Anchorage’s (UAA) College of Business and Public Policy (CBPP) teaching courses in Organizational Theory and Behavior, Management, Supervision and Marketing. Joe’s career included serving as a Marketing Manager for Unocal Corporation and as the Chief Operating Officer for Tryck Nyman Hayes, Inc., a local 70-person Civil Engineering firm. He is married to Linda and they have two sons, Eric, a UAA graduate, an Air Traffic Controller at the Anchorage Tower, and Navy Reserve Senior Chief Petty Officer; and Colin, a Delta Airlines Pilot, a Lieutenant Commander in the Navy Reserve, and a former Navy Pilot.