Class Notes

In June 2023, civil engineering alumnus James Sauceda, B.S. ’87, M.C.E. ’96, assumed duties as the chief of the Engineering, Construction and Operations Division for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers — Alaska District. In this position, he leads a team of more than 200 personnel responsible for the execution of engineering, construction and operations activities across Alaska and throughout the Indo-Pacific region. He serves as the district’s dam and levee safety officer and is a member of the Alaska District Corporate Board, which is responsible for developing and implementing strategic plans for the organization. (Photo courtesy of U.S. Army Corps of Engineers)

In June 2023, Northrim Bank opened the Homer Loan Production office and welcomed accounting alumna Jennifer McLay, A.A. ’92, A.A.S. ’95, C.T.1. ’95, A.A.S. ’97, as vice president — commercial loan officer. McLay joined Northrim in April and has over 30 years in the financial industry in Alaska. (Photo courtesy of Northrim Bank)

In April 2023, CIRI announced that elementary education alumna Connie Wirz, B.Ed. ’94, would be president and CEO of its nonprofit education arm, The CIRI Foundation. With 40 years of experience in education and tribal programs, she most recently served as a key leader in building the Clare Swan Early Learning Center into a prominent early head start organization supporting Alaska Native families and children. (Photo courtesy of The CIRI Foundation)

On April 10, 2023, engineering management alumnus John Kurz, M.S. ’94, became president and CEO of Alyeska Pipeline Service Company. With more than three decades in the oil and gas industry, his previous roles include senior operations manager for Greater Prudhoe Bay and CFO for Santos and Oil Search in Papua New Guinea. (Photo courtesy of Alyeska Pipeline Service Company)

R&M Consultants, Inc. named civil engineering alumnus Chris Black, B.S. ’96, to the position of group manager of site development. As group manager, he is responsible for planning, design and construction administration services for a variety of sites in urban and rural locations, including vehicle and pedestrian access and circulation, traffic safety and emergency vehicle access, site parking, utility service design, ADA improvements, multi-use pathways, play areas, and athletic fields and facilities. (Photo courtesy of R&M Consultants, Inc.)

One month after being named Alumni of Achievement during the annual Alumni of Distinction awards, in April 2023, justice alumnus Kenneth McCoy, B.A. ’96, was named chief of the Tempe Police Department in Arizona. Previously, McCoy served as chief of the Anchorage Police Department, and was most recently the division chief diversity, equity and inclusion officer at Providence.

Business administration alumna and senior director of employee relations, HR information systems and HR operations Patty Hickok, A.A. ’99, B.B.A. ’01, M.B.A. ’03, A.A.S. ’08, was awarded the Northwest HR Management Association award in October 2023. The award is intended to be a lifetime achievement award honoring individuals who have provided exceptional service and contributions to the human resources field. (Photo courtesy of Patty Hickok)

In July 2023, justice alumna Neisha Jones, B.A. ’04, was chosen to become Alaska Sealife Center’s first director of people and culture. In this newly created executive leadership position, she will serve as the organizational lead for all human resources and diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion (DEAI) functions. (Photo courtesy of Alaska Sealife Center)

Toward the end of the 2022-23 academic year, the Alaska Department of Education and Early Development named education alumna and Dimond High School science teacher Catherine Walker, M.A.T. ’06, the 2024 Alaska Teacher of the Year. She will compete for National Teacher of the Year next spring during a ceremony at the White House. Additionally, this October she traveled to New Zealand as part of the Grosvenor Teacher Fellowship made possible by Lindblad Expeditions and National Geographic. (Photo courtesy of Catherine Walker)

In October 2023, journalism and public communications alumna Tosha Swan, B.A. ’07, was named COO of the Anchorage Chamber of Commerce after serving as interim CEO. She was previously the vice president and director of the chamber’s Young Professionals Group.

In August 2023, Chugach Alaska Corporation announced several key senior leadership changes, including the transition of accounting alumna Katherine Carlton, B.B.A. ’09, to the role of vice president of operations, wherein she will drive operational performance for Chugach’s commercial businesses. (Photo courtesy of Chugach Alaska Corporation)

General management alumna Jenna Wright, B.B.A. ’10, M.B.A. ’15, was named president and CEO of the Anchorage Economic Development Corporation in September 2023 after serving in an interim role. (Photo courtesy of AEDC)

Construction and project management alumna Jess Gilbert, B.S. ’13, M.S. ’19, has been promoted to director of marketing and communications at MTA. She previously served as corporate communications manager since 2019. (Photo courtesy of Alaska Business Magazine)

General management alumna Meghan Clemens, M.B.A. ’18, was promoted to director of external affairs for the Alaska Railroad Corporation in August 2023. Clemens first joined Alaska Railroad in 2013 as marketing and communications manager. In this new role, she will oversee direct engagement and effective communication between Alaska Railroad with Railbelt communities, the public and other stakeholders. (Photo courtesy of Alaska Railroad Corporation)

NASA announced on May 19 that it had awarded Blue Origin a contract to design its Blue Moon lunar lander for the Artemis V mission. Through Artemis, NASA will explore more of the moon than ever before in preparation for future astronaut missions to Mars launching from the surface of the moon. Working on the project is electrical engineering alumna Lindsey Bohnert, B.S. ’19, who is helping develop the communication systems on the lander. (Photo courtesy of Lindsey Bohnert)

General management alumna Carrin Yeh, M.B.A. ’20, has been promoted to manager of grants and regulatory affairs at MTA. She previously served as grants officer. (Photo courtesy of Alaska Business Magazine)