Leadership Alaska: Mentors

Community and University Leaders

David Banks ~ Nature Conservancy
		David Banks went to college in Texas. After that he joined the Peace Corps and went to Ghana. He got involved with the Nature Conservancy while finishing graduate school in Indiana and was able to transfer to Alaska. Eventually he became Alaska’s state director for the Nature Conservancy and held that position for about eight years. He recently resigned from that position in order to become the director for the Nature Conservancy’s new Africa Program, an exciting new program that will work to protect lands in Africa.

Joan Braddock ~ Dean College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics
Dr. Joan Braddock currently serves as Dean of the College of Natural Science and Mathematics. Braddock became the dean of CNSM in July 2004 after serving for a year as Interim Dean of the College of Science, Engineering and Mathematics. Before joining the administration, she was a tenured professor at UAF holding a joint appointment with the Department of Biology and Wildlife and the Institute of Arctic Biology. Braddock has served as Associate Director of the Institute of Arctic Biology and Chair of the Department of Biology and Wildlife. Braddock is internationally recognized for her research related to the microbiology associated with oil pollutants in cold climates. She is also interested in the history of women in science. In her spare time, Dr. Braddock enjoys outdoor activities including hiking, downhill skiing and scuba diving.

Carol Brice ~ Co-Founder of Family Training Associates
		Carol Brice is recognized as an inspiring advocate for childhood development in the state of Alaska. Her outstanding humanitarian services were so highly praised in 1994 that the Carol Brice Family Center was dedicated to healthier environments for children. She devotes her time as chair of the Alaska Children’s Trust to helping abolish child abuse and neglect within the state of Alaska. Carol Brice is also co-founder of Family Training Associates were she counsels parents on the issues of raising children in healthy and productive environments and early childhood development. Her mission statement for her organization is “Quality Education for Positive Parenting.”

Margie Brown ~ CEO CIRI Corporation
Margie Brown became president and chief executive officer of CIRI in 2005. Brown, who is a Yup'ik Eskimo originally from Takotna, Alaska, has many years of service with the company. After retiring from CIRI in 1995, Brown served as senior advisor of rural services for General Communications, Inc. ( GCI), an Alaska telecommunications company, from 1995 to 1997. Her community activity includes being a founding board member and board chair of The CIRI Foundation, which was established in 1982. She currently serves on the national board for The Trust for Public Land; is a member of the Board of Trustees for the Nature Conservancy in Alaska; served as Alaska's representative on the National Park System Advisory Board from 1999 to 2003; and served on the board of Assets, Inc., an organization that serves developmentally disabled adults through employment and other services, from 1990 to 1996. Brown received her Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of Oregon and her Master of Business Administration from the University of Colorado.

Colonel John C. Buss ~ Aviation Tactical at Ft. Wainwright
		Colonel John C. Buss is the Commander of Aviation Task Force 49 at Fort Wainwright. He was commissioned from the United States Military Academy in 1983 where he received a bachelor’s degree. His military education includes the Command and General Staff College and the Army War College. He holds a master’s degree in Management from Murray State University. Buss has commanded at every level from flight platoon to aviation brigade. He has four combat tours including duty in Afghanistan and Iraq. He is married with four children.

Brigadier General Craig N. Christensen ~ Alaska National Guard
Brigadier General Craig N. Christensen currently serves as the full-time Director of the Alaska Army National Guard for the State of Alaska, Department of Military and Veterans Affairs. He concurrently serves as the Commander, Alaska Army National Guard and the Deputy Adjutant General, Alaska National Guard. Christensen was born in Chelsea, Massachusetts in 1951. In 1960, he and his family moved to Alaska. After graduating from East Anchorage High School in 1969, he attended Alaska Methodist University where he graduated cum laude in 1972 with a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and History. Following completion of the Alaska Army National Guard Officer Candidate School, he was commissioned in 1977 as a second lieutenant, Armor Branch. Brigadier General Christensen resides in Eagle River, Alaska, with his wife, Naomi, two sons, Ross and Ryan, and daughter, Kara.

Carol Comeau ~ Superintendent of Schools, Anchorage
		Carol Comeau was an elementary classroom teacher in Springfield, Oregon from 1963-1964. She is a graduate of the University of Oregon, Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education with a minor in Physical Education, and the University of Alaska Anchorage, Master’s Degree in Public School Administration. She also has her Superintendent endorsement from UAA. The Anchorage School Board appointed her as ASD’s superintendent in December 2000. Before that, Comeau served as the Executive Director of Elementary Education for the Anchorage School District and as the Assistant Superintendent for Instruction. Comeau believes it is essential to be an active participant in community organizations; she has served numerous community groups including the United Way, the Anchorage Economic Development Council, the Alaska Center for the Performing Arts, and the Boys and Girls Clubs. Comeau has been married to her husband Dennis for 44 years. They have two sons, two daughters-in-law, a daughter and son-in-law, and four grandchildren all living in Washington State and Georgia.

Jeff Cook ~ Director of External Affairs, Flint Hills Alaska
Jeff Cook is Director of External Affairs for Flint Hills Resources, owner and operator of the largest refinery in Alaska. Jeff served on the Fairbanks Chamber of Commerce Board from 1984 to 1990, and was chairman of the Chamber in 1985. He is currently active as a member of the Chamber’s government affairs committee. Cook is a past member and President of the University of Alaska Board of Regents. He is active in the community including involvement with the Fairbanks Rotary Club, Greater Fairbanks Community Hospital Foundation, the Providence Health System Alaska Region Board, the Alaska State Chamber of Commerce, and the University of Alaska Foundation. He also serves on the board of directors for the Resource Development Council of Alaska and is a member of the legislative committee for the Alaska Oil and Gas Association. Cook was born and raised in Fairbanks. He completed both his BBA and MBA degrees at the University of Oregon. He and his wife Sue have four children ranging in age from 24 to 39. They are proud grandparents of a fourteen-year-old granddaughter, a nine-year-old grandson, and a ten-month old granddaughter.

Victoria M. Foote ~ Director of Health Development College of Rural & Community Development
		Torie Foote is currently serving as Director of the Rural Health Programs within the College of Rural and Community Development at UAF. Her education started at Colorado State University, with a Bachelors degree (in art and psychology and teaching certificate) and she went on to the University of Northern Colorado for her Masters in Cross Cultural Counseling and Education. Prior to joining the University in 2001, Foote worked as a therapist for over twenty years in Fairbanks and the bush community and started the Women’s and Children’s Residential Program for the Fairbanks Native Association. She serves as a consultant throughout the country on issues concerning families and addiction. Within the Fairbanks Community Foote has been elected to serve as a Fairbanks North Star Borough Assembly person for two three-year terms. She also volunteers with the MADD organization, the Women’s Lobby, the League of Women Voters, the FNSB Youth Commission (which she created) and was a founding member of the Golden Heart Project.

Patrick Gamble ~ C.E.O. Alaska Railroad
Patrick Gamble is President and Chief Executive Officer of Alaska Railroad Corporation, a $140 million dollar freight, passenger, and land management business. He retired as a four star General from the United States Air Force before joining the Alaska Railroad. He has 15 years of executive leadership in business and government service. Gamble served as the top Air Force commander in the Pacific region and was responsible for operations, planning, and budgeting of fourteen military installations with 50,000 employees and 400 aircraft. Joining the Alaska Railroad in 2001, he made safety, employee quality of life, and business excellence his chief priorities. Gamble has participated on community service boards such as United Way, local and state Chamber of Commerce, and has worked extensively with secondary and university education boards both in and out of state. Gamble is a graduate of Texas A&M University in mathematics, and earned his MBA at Auburn University.

Mark R. Hamilton ~ University of Alaska President
		After 31 years of service to this nation, Mark Hamilton retired as a Major General with the U. S. Army in July 1998. He was appointed by the University of Alaska Board of Regents as the 12th president of the University of Alaska in 1998. Hamilton received a bachelor of science degree from the U. S. Military Academy at West Point, a master's degree in English literature from Florida State University, and graduated from the Armed Forces Staff College in Virginia, and the U. S. Army War College in Pennsylvania. Hamilton received the Distinguished Service Medal - the Army's highest peacetime award. He also received the Armed Forces’ highest peacetime award – the Joint Distinguished Service Medal. The Alaska Journal of Commerce recognized Hamilton as one of the 25 Most Powerful Alaskans for the past 5 years. Hamilton and his wife of 38 years, Patty, have four grown children and six grandchildren.

Jo Heckman ~ CEO Denali State Bank
Jyotsna “Jo” Heckman, president of Denali State Bank, was born and raised in India and came to Fairbanks in 1975 to attend UAF. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in business and went on to earn a master’s degree in 1985. More than two decades ago, Heckman was among a group of local bankers who chartered and opened Denali State Bank. Since then, she has held multiple positions within the bank. In April 2003, Heckman succeeded Gary Roth as president of the bank and, in doing so, became the first woman bank president and chief executive officer in the state. Later that year, the trade publication “U.S. Banker” named Heckman one of 25 women to watch in banking. In addition to her professional accomplishments, Heckman is active in multiple community and civic groups, including Junior Achievement, Financial Women International, UAF Alumni Association, Rotary, Greater Fairbanks Chamber of Commerce, Boys and Girls Club of the Tanana Valley, and the United Way. In 1999, Heckman received the alumni association’s William Cashen Service Award. The Farthest North Girl Scouts Council also honored Heckman as a Woman of Distinction in 2004.

Walter J. Hickel ~ Former Governor of Alaska
		Former Governor Walter J. Hickel, considered one of Alaska’s founding fathers, became deeply involved in Alaska’s fight for statehood after World War II. In 1966 he was elected Governor of Alaska as a Republican. In 1968 President Nixon appointed him Secretary of the Interior where he led the national environmental awakening following the Santa Barbara oil spill. In 1990 voters of Alaska again elected Hickel as their Chief Executive, this time as an Independent. In 1994, prior to leaving the governorship, he was elected Secretary General of The Northern Forum, an organization of elected leaders throughout the North, and in 1995 founded the Institute of the North to study how to care for and utilize commonly-owned lands and resources. Hickel maintains an office in Anchorage and remains active in state, national, and international affairs. His latest book “Crisis inthe Commons: The Alaska Solution” was recently translated into Russian and released in Moscow.

James Johnsen ~ Vice President for Administration University of Alaska
James Johnsen is vice president for administration at the University of Alaska, where he is responsible for finance, human resources, land management, risk management, and facilities. Previous roles included vice president for faculty and staff relations, chief of staff, and director of labor relations. For fun, he has taught political science, management, and geography courses. Johnsen's undergraduate degree is from the University of California Santa Cruz, his master's is from the University of Chicago, and his doctorate is in higher education management from the University of Pennsylvania.

Lieutenant Colonel Ronald M. Johnson ~ Garrison Commander Ft. Wainwright
		Lieutenant Colonel Ronald M. Johnson was born in Missoula, Montana. He is a Distinguished Military Graduate of Montana State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Microbiology. He also has a Masters of Military Arts and Sciences degree from the Army Command and General Staff College. Throughout his military career Johnson has had multiple assignments in Special Forces. Johnson has also received numerous awards and decorations; a few of these include the Bronze Star, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Joint Service Achievement Medal (with OLC), the Army Achievement Medal (with OLC), the National Defense Service Medal (2 nd award), the Humanitarian Service Medal, the Army Outstanding Volunteer Medal, and the Douglas MacArthur Leadership Award (USASOC, 1996). Lieutenant Colonel Johnson is married to his wife of 22 years Candis A. Johnson. They have three children: Christina (age 17), Chloe (age 16), and Hunter (age 10).

Steve Jones ~ University of Alaska Fairbanks Chancellor
Steve Jones was named the fifth chancellor of the University of Alaska Fairbanks in May 2004. Prior to joining UAF, Jones served as vice chancellor for extension and engagement at North Carolina State University. Jones has a Ph.D. in resources management and a bachelor's degree in forestry from SUNY Syracuse. He also holds an associate degree in forestry from Maryland's Allegany College. Prior to his academic career, Jones worked 12 years in Virginia, Georgia and Alabama for the Union Camp Corp., a Fortune 500, multi-faceted paper and allied products manufacturer. He and his wife Judy have two grown children.

Andre’ Layral ~ Fairbanks North Star Borough Youth Commission
		Andre’ Layral first moved from California in 1970 to attend UAF. He holds a BA degree in Physical Education and completed his M.Ed in Public School Administration in 1981. He spent 23 years with the Fairbanks North Star Borough School District, serving as Aquatics Director, Athletic Director, Assistant Principal and Principal until his retirement from K-12 education in 2000. Since 2002 Layral has worked for the Association of Alaska School Boards as a Community Engagement Educator. Layral has a long record of serving on local, statewide, and national boards and commissions and has received several awards during his distinguished career, most notably being selected as Fairbanks Secondary Principal of the Year in 1996 and receiving the AASSP Distinguished Service Award in 2002.

Loren Leman ~ Former Lieutenant Governor
Loren Leman’s family history in Alaska goes back more than 200 years to a marriage in Kodiak between a Russian shipbuilder and an Alutiiq woman from Afognak. Gold miners, Alaska Natives, fishermen and missionaries have figured prominently in his ancestry. Leman grew up in Ninilchik. He received his Bachelors’ degree in Civil Engineering from Oregon State University and his Masters degree in Civil/Environmental Engineering from Stanford University. In December 2002 Leman became Alaska’s eighth Lieutenant Governor, the first person of Alaska Native ancestry to be elected to statewide office in Alaska. He served for one term, completing his service in December 2006. Previously, Representative and Senator Leman served in the Alaska Legislature for 14 years, finishing as Senate Majority Leader. He and his wife, Carolyn, have three children—Joseph, Rachel and Nicole—and live in Anchorage.

Dennis McMillian ~ CEO Foraker Group
		Dennis worked in the United Way system for 21 years in Alabama, South Carolina and Louisiana before moving to Alaska in 1992 to run the United Way of Anchorage. The United Way of Anchorage first envisioned The Foraker Group, and prior to Foraker Group, provided nonprofit training throughout Alaska; McMillian did many of these trainings. Since Foraker Group was formed in 2000, as President McMillian has now worked with over 500 Alaskan nonprofits building their capacity and has trained thousands of Alaskans serving on boards. He has a B.S. Degree from New College from the University of Alabama and an M.S. in Education Management from UAB. He is married with two grown children. When he's not flying around Alaska helping to strengthen nonprofits, he likes to read, run and travel around Alaska to hike and sightsee.

Lisa Murkowski ~ U.S. Senator
Senator Lisa Murkowski is the first Alaskan born Senator to serve the State and only the sixth United States Senator from Alaska. Murkowski is a third generation Alaskan, born in Ketchikan and raised in towns across the state: Wrangell, Juneau, Fairbanks and Anchorage. Since joining the Senate in 2002, Murkowski has already made many strides on issues facing Alaskans. As she advocates for legislation on the Senate floor, her passion for improving the state of health care, education, energy, Veteran’s affairs, and infrastructure development in Alaska is unquestionable. Murkowski married Verne Martell, an Anchorage small business owner, in 1987 and they have two sons, Nicolas and Matthew. She enjoys spending time with her family, skiing, fishing, camping, and actively participating in community outreach programs.

Gail Phillips ~ Former Speaker of the House, Chair of Alaska Statehood Celebration
		Former Speaker of the Alaska House of Representatives, Gail Phillips of Anchorage, is the Chairman of the Alaska Statehood Celebration Commission. A life-long Alaskan, with ties to rural Alaska, the Interior and South Central Alaska, Phillips is an Alaskan activist who has been involved in local and state government for many years, including ten years in the Alaska Legislature and four years as Speaker of the House of Representatives. Phillips’ professional background includes teaching, private business and placer mining. Throughout her years in public service, she has helped formulate effective public policy regarding the wise use and protection of Alaska’s resources. She is a community advocate who serves on a variety of boards and commissions, both public and private. Phillips and her husband Walter have two daughters Robin and Kim, a son-in-law Evan Griffith, and grandson Scott Griffith.

John “Jake” Poole ~ University of Alaska Fairbanks Vice Chancellor
Vice Chancellor for University Advancement and Community Engagement John C. "Jake" Poole assumed responsibilities for university advancement and community engagement in September 2004. Poole has over 30 years of experience in teaching, vocational and adult education, organizational operations, community affairs, alumni affairs, intercollegiate athletics and university administration. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst in 1975 and his master's degree in education from Pepperdine University in 1978. Poole came to UAF, after completing a 22-year career in the U.S. Army. He retired from the U.S. Army as a Lieutenant Colonel. Poole serves on numerous committees and boards throughout the state, including the Fairbanks Community Food Bank Board of Directors, the BP Exploration (Alaska) Community Advisory Board, the Foraker Group Operations Board, and the Fairbanks Rotary Club. He and his wife Janice and son Christopher live in Fairbanks.

Mike Powers ~ CEO Fairbanks Memorial Hospital
		Mike Powers has served as Chief Executive Officer of Fairbanks Memorial Hospital and Denali Center for 11 years. He also served as Chief Financial Officer for FMH/DC from 1986 to 1995. He holds a master's degree in Health Services Administration from the University of Wisconsin, a master’s degree in Anglo-Irish Literature from Trinity College-- Dublin, Ireland, and a bachelor’s degree in English Literature from Lawrence University in Appleton, Wisconsin. Powers is active in numerous health services and youth recreational activities; for example, he has served as Past President of the Alaska Hospital Association, Executive Board Member of the Interior Community Health Center, and Regent for Alaska for the American College of Healthcare Executives. He has also served in various coaching and treasurer positions with youth sports teams and programs in the Fairbanks area. Powers has been married for over 20 years to Teri Spires, and they have three children, Kate, Anna, and Dan.

Jay Ramras ~ AK Legislator and CEO of Pike’s Landing
Jay Ramras has been a member of the Alaska State House of Representatives since 2005. He also owns Jaybird's Wingworld, Food Factory, Pike’s Landing, Pike’s Waterfront Lodge, and Aviator Greenhouse & Sweets. He was born in Fairbanks in 1964, graduated from Lathrop High School in 1981. After that he attended Syracuse University for three years, earning a bachelor of arts in American history. He later returned to Fairbanks and began working, eventually reaching where he is today. In his limited free time, he enjoys softball and gardening.

Paul Reichardt ~ University of Alaska Fairbanks Provost
		Paul Reichardt was born in St. Louis, Missouri; and he grew up in suburban St. Louis. He earned a B.S. degree in chemistry from Davidson College and a Ph.D. in Chemistry from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where he met his wife Terry. After two years of post-doctoral experience at Yale, he took a position as an Assistant Professor of Chemistry at Ohio State University. In 1972 the Reichardts moved north so that he could take a similar faculty position at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. Since then Fairbanks has been home; the Reichardts have raised three children, now all grown and off on their own. Over the years Reichardt has been a faculty member, a dean, interim director of the UA Museum, and--since 1998--Provost. He will retire in July 2007 to pursue interests ranging from playing with grandchildren to involvement in service programs.

Marilyn F. Romano ~ Publisher Fairbanks News Miner
Marilyn Romano arrived in Fairbanks in 1992 to assume the position of Advertising director of the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner. She is from Houston, Texas where she got her start in the newspaper business in 1980. In 1998 she was named General Manager and in July 2000 became publisher of the News-Miner. Romano is the seventh publisher in the News-Miner’s 99-year history and its first female executive. Romano is also actively involved in the community. She is on the United Way board and the Greater Fairbanks Chamber of Commerce board. She is also on the Advisory boards of Alaska Airlines and the University of Alaska Fairbanks. In 1999 Romano received the Top 40 Under 40 Award from the Alaska Journal of Commerce in recognition of her commitment to professional excellence, business growth, and her Alaska neighbors. In 2002 she accepted the award for Outstanding Business in Philanthropy for the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner.

Ann Secrest ~ Director, AARP Alaska
		As the Director of Communications and media spokesperson for the AARP Alaska State Office, Ann Secrest finds her job full of endless challenges and opportunities. At age 51 she claims “life has never been better.” Her adult children are happy and healthy and living in the Lower 48 and, as "empty nesters," she and her husband are exploring new adventures. She’s lived in Alaska since July 1979 and has no plans to leave. In the past she worked in the UA System and at UAF for 15 years and also enjoyed a 20-year career as the senior News Anchor and Editor for The Fairbanks Evening News on KTVF (NBC) in Fairbanks. Being a news anchor enabled her to really see Fairbanks' Golden Heart. She is currently working on her doctorate in Business Administration, with a Public Administration concentration. Her dissertation focuses on the impact grandparents face when they take over as guardians of their grandchildren.

Jim Whitaker ~ North Star Borough Mayor
Mayor Whitaker was born in Bremerton, Washington in 1950 but has spent much of his life in Alaska. He currently lives in Fairbanks, AK with his wife Patricia (Jinx); his family includes four daughters. He has a degree from the University of Oregon, specifically a B.S. Journalism. Whitaker has served as Fairbanks North Star Borough Mayor since October 2003. In addition, he owns several business interests throughout the Fairbanks area and has served as adjunct instructor for the University of Alaska/Tanana Valley Campus . Prior to becoming mayor, Whitaker was State Representative from 1999-2003 and a member of the Fairbanks City Council from 1995 – 1998. His service organization and community involvement include Founding Member of Volunteers in Policing; Board Member of Festival Fairbanks; and Former Board Member of the Yukon Quest.