Class Notes

History alumnus Joseph Levesque, B.A. ’80, joined law firm Landye Bennett Blumstein after leading the Levesque Law Group for 12 years. Levesque will represent Alaska municipalities and private clients throughout the state with a focus on municipal law, civil litigation, simple wills and labor and employment law.

Community leader and elementary education alumna Minoo Minaei, B.Ed. ‘84, was named one of the 2024 Women of Achievement awardees by YWCA Alaska. Announced in October 2024, Minaei and the other awardees were honored at an awards luncheon in November 2024.

In May 2024, SurvBase LLC co-founder and surveying and mapping alumnus Steve Buchanan, B.S. ’98, was inducted into the UAA College of Engineering Alumni Hall of Fame, which honors the accomplishments and contributions of exceptional engineering graduates. (Photo by Ted Kincaid / University of Alaska Anchorage)

In October 2024, Advanced Supply Chain International, of which psychology alumna Christine Hopkins, B.A. ’00, is president, CEO and majority owner, advanced to the finals of the Business Impact Northwest IMPACT Pitch Competition. (Photo courtesy of Advanced Supply Chain International)

In September 2024, the Center for Civic Education named political science and education alumnus Lem Wheeles, B.A. ’03, M.A.T. ’04, as one of three recipients of its American Civic Education Teacher Awards. Wheeles has taught social studies at Dimond High School for his entire 21-year teaching career. Additionally, he serves as student government advisor, Model United Nations advisor, Anchorage School District Student Advisory Board faculty co-advisor, Alaska Professional Teaching Practices Commission chair and Anchorage Education Association and NEA-Alaska parliamentarian. (Photo courtesy of Center for Civic Education)

Fishe Wear owner, Linda Leary Consulting principal and supply chain management alumna Linda Leary, M.S. ‘04, was named one of the 2024 Women of Achievement awardees by YWCA Alaska. Announced in October 2024, Leary and the other awardees were honored at an awards luncheon in November 2024.

Never Quit and Warrior’s Creed, two books co-authored by writing professor and creative writing and literary arts alumnus Don Rearden, M.F.A. ’05, were named by the U.S. Air Force Special Warfare Pararescue Specialists community as two of the top five books about pararescue in April 2024. (Photo courtesy of Don Rearden)

Community leader and educational leadership alumna Christa Bruce, P.G.C.T. ‘06, M.Ed. ‘07, was named one of the 2024 Women of Achievement awardees by YWCA Alaska. Announced in October 2024, Bruce and the other awardees were honored at an awards luncheon in November 2024.

The Chugach Alaska Corporation board appointed accounting alumna Katherine Carlton, B.B.A. ’09, to interim president. Carlton most recently served as Chugach’s vice president of ANCSA and community affairs, where she was responsible for stewardship of the regional corporation’s lands and cultural resources. She also continues to serve as president of the recently established Chugach Regional Development and the newly formed nonprofit Chugach Tribal Services. (Photo courtesy of Chugach Alaska Corporation)

In August 2024, media entrepreneur and business alumnus Brad Hillwig, M.B.A. ’10, was named UAA Department of Journalism and Public Communications’ Atwood Chair of Journalism for the 2024-25 academic year. During his tenure, Hillwig will teach two courses starting in spring 2025: The first course will explore digital storytelling and career pathways into the rising creator economy, and the second will focus on documentary filmmaking.

In May 2024, attorney and justice alumna Jenna Krohn, A.A. ’12, B.A. ’13, was promoted to associate general counsel and chief compliance officer at Bering Straits Native Corporation. In this role, Krohn leads the compliance strategy for the Nome-based regional corporation and its subsidiaries to manage and mitigate legal and regulatory risk across all business lines. (Photo courtesy of Bering Straits Native Corporation)

RSA Engineering announced the promotion of engineering alumnus Jeremy Maxie, B.S. ’12, to principal electrical engineer. Having been at RSA for 14 years, in this role he will provide principal-level oversight while managing his own projects. Maxie specializes in special system designs including security, door access, video/camera and fire alarms. He is also a licensed professional engineer, lighting certified, holds a certification from Registered Communications Distribution Designers, is a past president of the Illuminating Engineering Society Anchorage Chapter and a current board member of the A4LE Alaska Chapter. (Photo courtesy of RSA Engineering)

RSA Engineering announced the promotion of engineering alumnus Frank Silberer, B.S. ’13, to project engineer. With 10 years of experience, Silberer has played a key role in numerous projects at RSA, showcasing his expertise and dedication. (Photo courtesy of RSA Engineering)

Museums Alaska named Filipino history archive project “Mana: The History We Inherit,” contributed to by journalism and public communications alumna Pearl-Grace Pantaleone, B.A. ’14, as the recipient of its Excellence in the Field Award during the annual Museums Alaska Conference in September 2024. (Photo courtesy of Mana)

RSA Engineering announced the promotion of engineering alumnus Steven Bassler, B.S. ’14, to senior engineer. A licensed professional engineer with eight years of experience, in this role Bassler will oversee key projects and develop strong client relationships. (Photo courtesy of RSA Engineering)

International fisheries nonprofit Ocean Outcomes named general management alumna Kelly Harrell, M.B.A. 2015, as its next executive director. Harrell previously served as executive director of the Alaska Marine Conservation Council. (Photo courtesy of Ocean Outcomes)

In June 2024, accounting alumnus Christian Diamond, B.B.A. ’16, joined the Denali Commission as a program specialist. Previously, Diamond was with the Alaska Village Electric Cooperative where he managed the financial, grant and project administration of energy-related capital projects, helping rural communities across the state with the high cost of energy.

Calista Brice, a holding line for construction and environmental subsidiaries of Bethel-based Calista Corporation, announced the hiring of occupational safety and health alumnus Mac Stevens, A.A.S. ’17, B.S. ’21, as director of safety and risk. In this capacity, Stevens supports the safety and risk programs across 19 Calista Brice subsidiary companies, leveraging his expertise to streamline and enhance internal safety initiatives. He is also spearheading new programs to improve on-the-job safety and engage employees in Calista Brice’s safety-focused culture. (Photo courtesy of Calista Brice)

The United Way of Anchorage board of directors announced in June 2024 that finance alumnus Eric Billingsley, B.B.A. ’17, has been hired as the organization’s next president and CEO. Before joining United Way, Billingsley served as president of NANA Management Services. (Photo courtesy of United Way of Anchorage)

PND Engineers announced the promotion of civil engineering alumnus Jared Kinney, B.S. ’17, to senior engineer. Having joined PND in November 2023 with more than five years of civil engineering experience in Alaska, Kinney’s duties at PND include hydraulic and hydrologic engineering projects, especially site improvements, drainage and sewer/wastewater utilities. (Photo courtesy of PND Engineers)

Museums Alaska named Filipino history archive project “Mana: The History We Inherit,” co-founded by journalism and public communications alumna Shayne Nuesca, B.A. ’18, as the recipient of its Excellence in the Field Award during the annual Museums Alaska Conference in September 2024. (Photo courtesy of Mana)

PND Engineers announced the promotion of civil engineering alumnus Kannon Lee, M.S. ’19, to senior engineer. Having joined PND in April 2019, Lee’s emphasis is on stability, seismic engineering and frozen ground engineering. (Photo courtesy of PND Engineers)