RDC elects new board
The Resource Development Council (RDC) announced the election of its new Board of Directors at its 39th Annual Meeting Luncheon at the Dena’ina Convention Center in Anchorage June 24.
Life-long Alaskan and former legislator Ralph Samuels was elected President. Eric Fjelstad, Perkins Coie, was elected Senior Vice President. Also elected were Vice President Lorna Shaw, Sumitomo Metal Mining Pogo LLC; Treasurer Len Horst, Northrim Bank, and Secretary Ethan Schutt, Cook Inlet Region, Inc.
Newly elected to the RDC Executive Committee were Tim Gallagher, HDR Alaska, Inc. and Glenn Reed, Pacific Seafood Processors Association.
New incoming board members were Jaeleen Araujo, Sealaska Corporation; Greg Beischer, Millrock Resources; Bruce Bustamante, Princess Tours; Gideon Garcia, CIRI Alaska Tourism Corporation; Stephen Grabacki, Fisheye Consulting; Christine Klein, Calista Corporation; Lori Nelson, Hilcorp Alaska LLC; Tom Panamaroff, Koniag, Inc.; Doug Smith, Little Red Services; Phil Steyer, Chugach Electric Association; Casey Sullivan, Caelus Energy Alaska, LLC, and Sinclair Wilt, Westward Seafoods Inc.
Samuels is currently Vice President, Government and Community Relations, for Holland America Line. Prior to working for Holland America, Samuels was employed by PenAir for more than 25 years. He worked his way from loading and fueling planes to Vice President of Public Affairs. During his time there, PenAir grew into the largest in-state airline in Alaska.
In 1998, Samuels was named one of the initial group of “Alaska’s Top 40 Under 40” young business leaders. He was elected in 2002, 2004, and 2006 to serve District 29 in the State House. During his tenure in the Alaska Legislature, he served as Majority Leader, as well as a number of committee leadership positions.
At the luncheon, outgoing RDC board member Paula Easley was recognized for serving as RDC’s Executive Director for 12 years, beginning in 1975, and serving on the board since 1989. Combined, Easley has more than 37 years of service to RDC.
Pictured above from left to right are RDC officers Ethan Schutt, Secretary, Executive Director Rick Rogers, Senior Vice President Eric Fjelstad, Vice President Lorna Shaw, Treasurer Len Horst, President Ralph Samuels, and Past President Phil Cochrane, who served two consecutive terms.
RDC’s Annual Meeting luncheon featuring Ryan Lance was sold out.
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