Koyen began his career with AMHS as a Steward, where his commitment to hard work and attention to detail quickly earned him the respect of his peers and supervisors. His performance led to a promotion, in which he took on greater responsibility and continued to support his team with professionalism and a strong sense of accountability. He also served as Storekeeper, applying his organizational skills to maintain efficiency and control in a critical role.

Now serving as Chief Cook, Koyen has continued to grow. He approaches every task with initiative and a proactive attitude, consistently upholding high standards in the galley. His leadership, teamwork, and adaptability have made a significant impact on operations and morale.

Koyen is a prime example of what a Chief Steward should be. He demonstrates exceptional work ethic, professionalism, and steady progression within AMHS. He has consistently demonstrated the kind of dedication, leadership, and reliability that exemplifies what we seek in future leaders.

Vanessa Hildebrand has exceptional dedication and service as an Administrative Assistant I with the Alaska Marine Highway System. As a frontline call center agent, Vanessa consistently provides customers with professionalism, patience, empathy, and genuine care. Her knowledge of routes, reservations, and procedures allows her to confidently assist travelers while making every interaction welcoming and positive. Vanessa is also a valued teammate who brings energy, encouragement, and a willingness to help others. Her commitment to excellent customer service, teamwork, and public service makes her an outstanding representative of the Alaska Marine Highway System.

Mark Slichter has dedicated more than 20 years to the Alaska Marine Highway System, most recently serving as a senior oiler aboard the MV Tustumena. Mark demonstrates that exceptional leadership can come from any member of a team. His extensive knowledge and experience make him an invaluable resource, but his commitment to helping others truly sets him apart.

Mark regularly trains new oilers and junior engineering staff. As a patient, knowledgeable, and positive teacher, he helps new crew members develop the skills and confidence needed to perform their duties safely and respond effectively in emergencies.

Mark is always willing to answer questions, support his colleagues, and share his expertise with officers and junior personnel alike. His positive attitude strengthens morale and teamwork. He leads by example and is a valued leader within AMHS.

Elizabeth Mattila is a relief Ordinary Seaman primarily working the MV Tustumena and the Southwest system. She goes above and beyond for passengers and crew and is an all-around good shipmate. She works so hard even after hours when needed. She will help with tasks right away and has a “can do” attitude. Her work ethic is something to marvel at, but then add on her kindness and patience with passengers, crew and a variety of situations. She is truly an Outstanding Employee.

Jillynn King has made an extraordinary impact on the efficiency, safety, and effectiveness of the Alaska Marine Highway System. She created innovative Excel-based crew lists that help with web-based training, making it easier to track required ship and department familiarization and helping ensure crews are properly prepared for their duties.

Jillynn developed these tools from the ground up, incorporating feedback from crews across the fleet and creating user guides to make the systems accessible and effective. She is always willing to troubleshoot problems and provide support, even when she is away from work.

Jillynn has also helped implement and manage onboard information displays, created systems to improve passenger room manifests, and worked with IT to improve passenger-counting processes. Her efforts support operational efficiency while helping AMHS meet important safety and regulatory requirements.

Jillynn’s initiative, technical skills, teamwork, and dedication make her an invaluable asset to AMHS and the State of Alaska.

Elliot Yoder joined the Alaska Marine Highway System as a Sea Service Clerk in 2024. Since then, he has proven himself to be intelligent, dependable, collaborative, and eager to learn. His initiative and willingness to contribute have made him an invaluable member of the team.

Elliot quickly distinguished himself through his attention to detail and commitment to improving processes. Early in his role, he identified an error affecting crew sea service letters and worked with shoreside staff to determine the cause, leading to more accurate and timely documentation for crews across the fleet.

Elliot consistently demonstrates integrity, professionalism, and accountability. He manages competing priorities while maintaining accuracy and composure, and readily seeks clarification when needed. His proactive, solutions-focused approach and dedication to supporting AMHS employees exemplify the qualities of an outstanding employee.

Haines Ferry Terminal Team: Ryan Ackerman, Walter Clayton, Teri Bastable-Podsiki, John Stanley, Faith Lorentz, Amy Kane, Sarah Jaymot

The Haines Ferry Terminal team demonstrates exceptional teamwork, efficiency, and dedication to serving passengers and vessels. Passengers who have not checked in 45 minutes before departure usuallyreceive a personal courtesy call to confirm their travel plans. This allows the terminal to provide the vessel with an accurate passenger count and helps support timely departures.

The team has also transformed the vehicle waitlist process for the M/V Hubbard and M/V LeConte to a more proactive approach which can add additional vehicles to a sailing each day, helping maximize capacity and reduce revenue loss from cancellations and transfers. During the May–September peak season, this process helps keep sailings consistently full.

The Haines team also provides outstanding technical and logistical support to vessels in port, quickly communicating vehicle-manifest changes, special loading needs, and waitlist information to the car deck.

Since Coast Guard-directed passenger scanning was introduced in 2025, the team has embraced the technology and helped ensure efficient, organized boarding and accountability. Their communication, flexibility, and commitment to teamwork exemplify exceptional service.

Dennis “Beav” Deering has established himself as a cornerstone of the airfield electrical industry and a trusted leader within ANC's organization. His deep technical expertise, commitment to excellence, and passion for continuous improvement embody the best of what DOT&PF represents. His reputation for knowledge, humility, and professionalism precedes him everywhere he goes, reflecting positively on the Alaska International Airport System and the State of Alaska as a whole.

Beav’s accomplishments in 2025 have been remarkable. He was a principal author and contributor to the Airport Cooperative Research Program’s publication Safe Maintenance of Airfield Electrical Systems for Small Airports—a nationally recognized resource that will improve safety and efficiency across the country. He produced a series of technical YouTube videos that have collectively reached more than 40,000 viewers, advancing education and awareness within the airfield lighting community. Demonstrating extraordinary dedication, he personally funded his travel to the Illuminating Engineering Society’s Aviation Lighting Committee annual meeting, where he presented his work and was honored with the 2025 Best Paper Award.

Beav is held in tremendous respect and appreciation. He is a gifted teacher who has a unique ability to blend technical depth with practical wisdom. His insight often provides clarity and validation for processes, and his influence has strengthened not only ANC's systems but also staff perspective as a leader. Beav is a cherished colleague whose integrity, intellect, and passion elevate everyone around him, making him truly deserving of recognition.

Cheryl McDowell's expertise, dedication, and positive attitude make her an invaluable part of the Lake Hood Seaplane Base community. She supports more than 1,000 customers, managing tiedown permits, waitlists, transient parking, maintenance coordination, accounting questions, and countless day-to-day requests with professionalism and care.

Cheryl works with hundreds of permittees and waitlist members, ensuring their needs are addressed while coordinating with Operations, Field Maintenance, and Accounting. She consistently goes above and beyond, providing individualized service with patience and a welcoming smile.

This past year, Cheryl successfully coordinated the relocation of the Lake Hood Office while maintaining uninterrupted customer service. She has also contributed valuable expertise to future airport planning efforts and supported other teams during staffing shortages.

Cheryl’s knowledge, teamwork, and commitment make Lake Hood a more efficient and welcoming place for everyone who uses it. She truly makes a difference every day.

David Sanders exemplifies leadership through his dedication to developing employees and strengthening the Airfield Maintenance team. He designed and implemented a two-week Winter Operations Boot Camp that has become an important part of preparing seasonal and full-time employees for the challenges of Alaskan winter airport operations.

Dave has a talent for identifying areas where employees need additional training and turning those challenges into hands-on learning opportunities. He is patient and attentive to individual strengths and learning needs, helping employees build both technical skills and confidence. Rather than relying solely on experienced hires, Dave focuses on developing talent from within and giving new employees the tools they need to succeed.

The Boot Camp has received strong feedback from participants and fellow foremen, improving proficiency and morale. Dave’s initiative, adaptability, and commitment to continuous improvement help to strengthen the workforce and prepare the next generation of Airfield Maintenance professionals.

ANC Leasing Team: Sara Haley, Matt Regevig, April Velasco, Brandi Reinhardt, Weiran Man, Andy Dismore

The ANC Leasing Team is truly “small but mighty.” Covering more than 4,600 acres and managing over 400 leases and permits, the team supports hundreds of tenants while navigating the complex demands of a major international airport.

Led by Sara Haley, the team of Sherry Cole, Matt Regevig, Andy Dinsmore, April Velasco, and Brandi Reinhardt has quickly developed extensive knowledge of Alaska Statutes, FAA requirements, construction standards, operations, and industry practices. Despite being new to leasing roles, they have successfully managed audits, lease sales, bankruptcies, airline challenges, construction demands, and a significant backlog of agreements with professionalism and teamwork.

The team works closely with departments across the airport, including Facilities, IT, Engineering, Environmental, Law, Accounting, Operations, Field Maintenance, and Police and Fire. Their communication, accountability, and commitment to customer service have built strong partnerships throughout the organization.

From supporting terminal and airline tenants to ensuring cargo, freight, fueling, and other critical operations have the resources they need, the Leasing Team plays an essential role in keeping ANC moving. Their dedication, adaptability, and teamwork make them an invaluable asset to the airport and the communities it serves.

Michael Voigt consistently demonstrates exceptional dedication, energy, and vision in supporting airport operations. He goes above and beyond to ensure ANC departments have the support they need, often working across the airport to address challenges and keep operations moving smoothly.

His commitment to collaboration and proactive problem-solving makes him a valued resource for colleagues throughout the organization. Michael is always willing to step in, identify solutions, and help others succeed.

Most notably, Michael recently developed an innovative solution for ANC's Police & Fire Dispatch that addresses long-standing challenges associated with outdated systems. His initiative has the potential to significantly improve efficiency, communication, and service delivery.

Michael’s willingness to take on challenges, work across departments, and find practical solutions reflects his strong commitment to the airport and its mission. His energy, leadership, and dedication have made a meaningful difference to daily operations.

Since joining the Airfield Maintenance Team, Christina Baker has quickly become a indispensable. As an Administrative Assistant, she serves as a welcoming first point of contact for employees, applicants, and the public, representing the Alaska International Airport System with professionalism, integrity, and warmth.

During her first year, Christina successfully coordinated dozens of recruitments, managing complex and time-sensitive hiring processes that support one of the state’s most operationally critical divisions. Her attention to detail, organization, and dedication have helped bring qualified employees into the workforce and support continuous 24/7 airfield operations, including during demanding winter conditions.

Christina consistently demonstrates collaboration, reliability, kindness, and a strong commitment to serving others. Her positive attitude and calm demeanor make her a trusted resource and valued teammate. Through her work and her character, Christina has made an exceptionally positive impact.

Airfield Paint Marking Handbook & Video Implementation Team: Sam Baldessari, Jeremy Hans, Robert “Mat” Stephens, Tom Rogers

This team collaborated to develop and implement a comprehensive Airfield Paint Marking Handbook and Video Publication, transforming how the organization manages its FAA Part 139 Airfield Painting Program. Their work created a professional, standardized framework for a program encompassing more than 400 distinct markings and over 15,000 gallons of paint annually.

Through careful planning and coordination, the team established clear processes for safety, seasonal preparation, prioritization, workforce allocation, application methods, quality control, asset tracking, and recordkeeping. The accompanying video provides practical demonstrations that promote consistency, efficiency, and safety for both new and experienced employees.

The handbook and video have been shared with peer airports across the nation and received recognition from industry professionals. During the FAA’s annual certification inspection, inspectors highlighted the program as an industry-leading example, noting the exceptional quality of its documentation and training materials. The inspection resulted in no significant paint or marking discrepancies.

This project demonstrates the power of teamwork, innovation, and professional pride. This team created a lasting resource that strengthens airfield safety, efficiency, compliance, and training for years to come.

Sean Baski has been tremendously supportive in helping manage overlapping priorities and complex projects. He frequently steps in to take on multiple roles and responsibilities, ensuring nothing falls through the cracks. He has taken initiative to lead coordination with consultants and troubleshoot design issues, allowing staff to stay focused on critical decision points.

His problem-solving skills and steady approach have been invaluable. On one occasion, he identified a potential conflict in the schedule and worked with the team to develop a solution that avoided delays and kept us on track. His willingness to step up not only reduced pressure on staff but also improved outcomes for the team as a whole.

Rhondel Venner is an exceptional member of the DOT&PF Central Region team. She is consistently positive, friendly, and efficient, always ready to assist colleagues whenever she is needed—and she does it all with a genuine smile. Her willingness to help and her dedication to supporting Central Region staff make her an invaluable asset to the office. Rhondel approaches every interaction with professionalism, kindness, and respect, creating a welcoming and supportive environment for everyone around her. Her reliability and generous spirit do not go unnoticed. Rhondel is the consummate professional with a heart of gold, and her contributions make a great, positive difference to the entire team.

Merle Sena's leadership comes through in consistent dedication, professionalism, and support for the team. No matter the challenges, Merle brings a steady, positive attitude and helps colleagues find a way forward. Merle leads through action, stepping in when problems arise, offering solutions, and keeping the team focused and motivated.

Merle’s adaptability, integrity, and genuine care for others have strengthened both teamwork and morale. They are always willing to support a colleague through a difficult task, provide guidance when challenges arise, or simply be someone the team can rely on.

During unexpected complications this past season, Merle helped the Central Region Construction team regroup, develop solutions, and move forward together. Their calm approach and commitment to teamwork made a lasting impression. Merle’s leadership reflects the department's values of service, professionalism, resilience, and collaboration.

Scott is a dedicated member of Central Region's Aviation Design group. He embraces challenges and brings a wealth of experience to his team. After nine years in Construction, he joined Aviation Design and quickly became a go-to resource. His knowledge and willingness to share ideas help strengthen plans, specifications, and project outcomes.

This summer, Scott volunteered to serve as Project Engineer for the Atmautluak Airport project, bringing a designer along to gain valuable field experience. His leadership and willingness to take on this role saved DOT&PF the time and expense of hiring a consultant on short notice.

Scott’s positive personality and dedicatoin has strengthened camaraderie within the team. He strives for excellence, readily lends a hand, and consistently stands up for doing what is right rather than taking the easy path.

Chris Post is an exceptional mentor, knowledge resource, and source of positivity within Central Region Highway Design. Their extensive institutional knowledge of systems, history, and workflows is relied upon by employees at every level. Chris generously shares that expertise, helping colleagues navigate complex processes, understand policies, and make informed decisions.

As manager of Pinnacle, Chris promotes operational excellence by ensuring important processes are documented, accessible, and continually improved. Their efforts help streamline workflows and strengthen the team’s long-term effectiveness.

Chris is also known for always being willing to help, troubleshoot problems, and take on additional responsibilities when needed. Their patience, reliability, and generosity make them a trusted resource throughout the organization.

Chris brings humor and encouragement to the workplace. Whether helping a colleague or keeping the legendary candy dish stocked, Chris helps create a welcoming and positive environment for everyone.

Brett Johnson has played a pivotal role in improving construction management through his work with AASHTOWARE Project (AWP). His innovative approach has streamlined processes, saving hundreds of hours of staff time, reducing administrative demands, and helping expedite project closeouts across Central Region.

Brett has developed new techniques, including an improved Excel process for transferring and analyzing materials information, significantly increasing efficiency. Processes that once required days of work and coordination among multiple staff members can now often be completed by fewer staff in much less time.. His expertise and willingness to share knowledge have made him a sought-after resource throughout Central Region's Construction section.

Brett brings positivity, reliability, and energy to his work. His innovation, efficiency, and commitment have saved valuable time and resources while strengthening construction operations.

Forrest Savel joined the Hydrology & Hydraulics Section in 2025 and quickly became a valuable member of the team. He has demonstrated exceptional initiative, sound judgment, and a strong commitment to learning.

Early on, Forrest took on a complex drainage project, quickly mastering new software, evaluating field conditions, and producing a high-quality Hydrology & Hydraulics Report that helped keep the project on schedule. He also introduced a mobile documentation tool that automatically records GPS coordinates, elevation, and notes with field photos, improving accuracy and efficiency.

Forrest consistently demonstrates teamwork and public service. He volunteers at community transportation events, supported Western Alaska storm recovery efforts, and conducted detailed drainage inspections following severe weather in rural Alaska.

His curiosity, professionalism, adaptability, and willingness to help others have made a significant impact in a short time.

AIA Mega Laboratory Team: Sam York, Emerald Arnott, Andrew Almond, Talyn Meyer, Melo Shoulders, Danelis Anderson, Jalen Lindsey, Danielle McConkey, Rowan Riekena, Daegen Love, William Nelson, James Klebesadel, Patrick Hearney, Anthony Clementi, Brian Braeutigam, Brett Johnson, Glen Green, Chris Riekena

The Materials Technicians at the AIA Mega Lab have demonstrated exceptional professionalism, teamwork, and dedication throughout the 2025 season. Despite extensive airport construction, repaving, and restructuring, the team maintained significant testing responsibilities while continuing to support numerous projects.

Under the leadership of Manager Sam York, the team carefully coordinated daily and upcoming testing schedules, ensuring they were prepared to respond to changing demands. Each technician consistently arrived with the necessary equipment, vehicles, supplies, and a positive attitude, ready to complete assignments.

Their attention to detail was impressive. The technicians followed established procedures with remarkable consistency and precision, carefully monitoring every stage of testing, ensuring that samples were complete and results were accurate.

Throughout a demanding season, the team maintained a respectful, cooperative atmosphere and demonstrated a clear commitment to supporting one another and the organization. Their precision, reliability, and commitment to quality make them an outstanding example of teamwork and professional excellence.

Sarah Starzec and Angelo Tutan exemplify outstanding public service, teamwork, and dedication. Despite their office being reduced from four staff members to two, they continue to meet the demands of their work with professionalism, determination, and care. Together, they work diligently to certify Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) firms while keeping other essential responsibilities moving forward. Even while managing an increased workload, Sarah and Angelo remained committed to supporting their colleagues and serving the community. Their willingness to step up, collaborate, and consistently go the extra mile demonstrates their resolve and makes them leading members of the team.

Amanda Dawson has excelled in her role as Programs & Compliance Specialist with the Alaska DOT&PF Civil Rights Office (CRO) by taking on the complex task of ensuring the Airport Concessions Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (ACDBE) program is in full compliance with FAA requirements. Her dedication, attention to detail, and commitment to learning have strengthened the program and improved the CRO's understanding of compliance requirements. Through her efforts, Amanda has helped ensure that airport programs meet important ACDBE standards while supporting fair opportunities for participating businesses. She approaches this work with professionalism, persistence, and a strong commitment to public service. Amanda’s willingness to take on challenging responsibilities has made a important difference to her coworkers, the airports, and the communities they serve.

Rashaud Joseph is an exceptional problem solver who consistently looks for innovative ways to improve efficiency and support the Civil Rights Office’s mission. When challenges arise, Rashaud takes initiative to identify solutions and keep work moving forward. He is resourceful and determined, often going beyond expectations to locate the tools, information, or support needed when resources are not readily available. His proactive approach helps the team overcome obstacles while saving valuable time, effort, and resources. Rashaud’s willingness to tackle problems, find creative solutions, and support his colleagues shows his strong commitment to teamwork, service, and continuous improvement. His contributions make a meaningful difference to the people of Alaska.

Mike Dupuis is dedicated and consistently goes above and beyond to solve challenges and support his Civil Rights Office team. He has played an important role in resolving issues with ADA maps and developing code to ensure data is accurate, accessible, and useful. Mike readily takes on last-minute projects and approaches each task with professionalism, flexibility, and a strong commitment to quality. He shares his knowledge by training and guiding staff members, helping others build their skills and confidence. As a valued new member of the team, Mike has demonstrated reliability, teamwork, integrity, and a genuine commitment to serving others.

Danielle Tessen exemplifies leadership through dedication, vision, and genuine support for her colleagues. She works tirelessly to ensure the Communication team delivers high-quality work on time, while making time to check in with colleagues, offer encouragement, and help each person succeed.

Danielle is always looking for ways to improve DOT&PF's connection with the public. Whether refining videos, strengthening social media, editing website content, or ensuring messaging is timely and relevant, she stays ahead of communication trends and seeks innovative ways to share information with Alaskans.

During challenging or high-pressure situations, Danielle brings calm professionalism and expertise, managing communications with confidence and precision. She represents DOT&PF with clarity and credibility during media interviews.

Danielle’s leadership is demonstrated through action, collaboration, and a commitment to excellence. She strengthens her team, elevates the quality of their work, and inspires others to continually improve. Her dedication makes her an outstanding leader.

DOT&PF Safety Team: Jessica Casey, Ken Murphy, John Osborn, Amber Shumpert, Michael Tunley

The DOT&PF Safety Team has demonstrated extraordinary dedication and collaboration in strengthening the department’s safety culture. Their work over the past year represents a sustained commitment to protecting employees, improving programs, and supporting the department’s mission.

The team worked diligently to strengthen regulatory compliance, while using the experience as an opportunity for continuous improvement. Rather than viewing compliance as the end goal, they have encouraged divisions to proactively identify potential issues and find solutions before problems arise. This approach has helped foster greater accountability, transparency, and shared responsibility for safety.

A major achievement has been the development of a digital Safety Management System designed to improve visibility, streamline reporting, and better align safety training and programs with industry standards and the unique conditions faced by DOT&PF employees.

The team has expanded its role in emergency management and championed Human and Organizational Performance principles, helping employees and leaders better understand human error and build more resilient systems.

Through these efforts, the Safety Team is helping transform safety from a regulatory requirement into a shared organizational value. Their teamwork, innovation, leadership, and commitment make them an outstanding example of public service.

Since stepping into the role of Chief Data Officer, Meagan Wright has demonstrated exceptional leadership, initiative, and dedication to improving our division. From day one, she approached challenges with a fresh perspective and a clear vision for positive change.

Whether it’s implementing new systems, encouraging cross-department cooperation, or setting higher standards for accountability, Meagan has been a driving force in solving problems and moving our division forward.

A few of the major accomplishments she and her group have been responsible for include:

• Gathering additional assets not previously collected and sharing them on the Statewide DOT&PF GeoHub with their geolocation.
• Publishing the Winter Operations Dashboard and the interactive STIP Dashboard, providing additional transparency to our many stakeholders.
• Successfully implementing the construction and materials modules across all three regions within DOT&PF, moving toward the ability to aggregate information statewide.
• Upgrading GIS Enterprise and freeing it from the firewall simplifying work for internal and external staff.

Beyond operational improvements, Meagan has also built a culture of trust and respect. She leads by example—listening to staff input, empowering colleagues to take ownership of their work, fostering collaboration between divisions, and ensuring that every voice is heard. She is not afraid to ask the hard questions or settle for the answer of “that’s how we’ve always done things,” in her drive to improve programs. As a leader, she not only works to support her group but also utilizes her knowledge of DOT personnel to integrate business units with similar goals.

Meagan's leadership and commitment have not only made a tangible impact on DMIO, but have also set a standard of excellence that inspires everyone around her.

Ivan Kvapil has exhibited extraordinary customer service during the first year of full rollout of the AASHTOWare Project Construction and Materials module in 2025. His ability to problem-solve and provide solutions to DOT&PF and consultant staff struggling with developing technologies is unmatched.

Always friendly and respectful, even in the face of adversity, Ivan is approachable and responsive. Where guidance is needed, he provides background knowledge with correction. Where programming solutions are needed, he gathers information and submits requests promptly, and consistently shepherds resolutions to their conclusion successfully. Ivan has been instrumental to the successes to be found in the AWP implementation.

Pam and Nathan are an incredible team and two of the best resources anyone could ask for. They are supportive, knowledgeable, and always willing to help. Despite their busy schedules, they always make time to answer questions or direct to the right person. Their expertise and teamwork are invaluable, especially when it comes to ensuring our social media messaging about safety is accurate and consistent with department mission.

Earlier this spring, Northern Reigon staff worked closely with Nathan on the Matt Glover Bike Memorial Ride and Bike Path Dedication event. He played a key role in helping connect with Fort Wainwright and the Right of Way section, ensuring proper processes and policies were followed. Nathan is dependable, approachable, and resourceful - if he doesn’t have the answer, he always knows who to contact to get it.

Pam works closely with the Communications team and was instrumental in launching a new safety campaign. Watching her work behind the scenes was inspiring - she is creative, kind, funny, and understanding. Pam continuously looks for ways to improve the department and make our work more effective. Together, Pam and Nathan make an outstanding team who truly embody collaboration and excellence.

Michael Hills, Engineering Assistant with the Data Modernization and Innovation Office, has played a pivotal role this year in advancing the Department’s safety and compliance efforts. Michael has taken on the substantial responsibility of updating the Department’s Highway Work Zone Safety and Mobility Policy and Procedure to ensure all traffic control devices on public highways throughout Alaska conform with the Code of Federal Regulations. This work directly supports DOT&PF’s mission to provide a safe and efficient transportation system and ensures Alaska remains in full compliance with federal requirements.

Michael’s leadership and initiative are evident in his work outlining positive protection requirements in accordance with new Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) guidance. He has been instrumental in identifying and addressing gaps between current practices and federal expectations, an effort that not only strengthens the Department’s core safety values but also ensures consistency across all regions. Additionally, Michael has dedicated significant effort to improving the Department’s review process for Traffic Control Plans, finding innovative ways to make the review process more efficient, transparent, and responsive to both designers and field staff.

With his years of experience as a Traffic Control Coordinator, Michael brings a deep understanding of both policy and field application. He is widely recognized as a reliable resource, always willing to assist colleagues across regions in resolving technical challenges or interpreting policy requirements. His professionalism, teamwork, and integrity exemplify the Department’s core values.

Through his initiative, technical expertise, and commitment to safety and service, Michael Hills has made a lasting, measurable impact on the Department’s policies, procedures, and safety of all road users and workers, making him a truly deserving of recognition.

Ben is the Emerging Technologies Coordinator for the Transportation Systems Management and Operations (TSMO) team in DMIO. His can-do attitude is what gets many ideas through to implementation!

He was instrumental in equipping the plow fleet with the technology needed to implement snowplow "tracking" for 511 and the winter operations dashboard, including traveling to Juneau to train Southcoast M&O staff. He also identified and procured crowdsourced operational and safety data that is being used by traffic and safety staff across the state to identify signals that may need retiming, areas where speeding is prevalent, along with addressing other safety concerns. He's also leading the development of an asset management system for DOT&PF's ITS equipment.

Ben supports other work outside TSMO. He took the lead on developing an online form for EMS providers across the state to apply for new extrication tools (a Highway Safety Improvement Program project) in coordination with the Department of Health and Statewide Traffic and Safety. He then coordinated the committee to select the recipients and worked directly with the selected providers/vendors to ensure DOT&PF was providing the exact tools they needed and shepherded the procurement. Ben's willingness to take on this project will result in first responders having modern tools to save lives on Alaska's roadways and reducing the time needed to get crash victims to critical care.

Emma has worked for the Department for less than a year, but you’d never know it based on what she’s able to accomplish. She technically works part time while finishing college, but you wouldn’t guess that either. She approaches every day with a positive attitude and a readiness to contribute.

Emma dives into any task that’s asked of her. She has learned multiple new software programs in addition to the software tools we use daily. She is always eager to take on something new, looks for where she can make a difference, and dives in.

Emma steps up whenever an opportunity arises. Need someone to lead a meeting? Emma’s there. Need someone to report to the airport to support an emergency response effort for the foreseeable future? Her response was, “packing my stuff!” In every effort, she has proven herself to be an asset and a steady presence the team can count on.

Emma’s initiative, adaptability, and attention to detail set her apart. Her willingness to learn, collaborate, and her can-do spirit make her a pleasure to work with. She brings out the best in those around her and makes the team stronger every day.

Regan Skogstad, Building Maintenance Foreman for the Dalton District, is recognized for his exceptional dedication, leadership, and commitment to excellence within the Division of Facilities Services. Regan has consistently gone above and beyond, spending countless hours covering for vacant positions, ensuring operations continue smoothly, and maintaining the highest standards of service across the district. His proactive approach and ability to build strong relationships with contractors have revitalized several projects that had become stagnant. Through persistence and determination, Regan has transformed challenges into accomplishments—always with a focus on progress, teamwork, and quality.

Jayshawn Hudson epitomizes exceptional dedication, professionalism, and customer service in his role as Statewide Facilities Call Center Administrator. His responsiveness, communication, and problem-solving skills help ensure the Facilities Call Center operates smoothly and provides reliable support to state agencies across Alaska.

The Call Center plays an essential role in maintaining public facilities, and Jayshawn’s efforts help keep critical infrastructure operational. By efficiently handling inquiries, coordinating requests, and dispatching support, he helps minimize downtime and ensure facilities receive the assistance they need.

Jayshawn also builds strong working relationships among DOT&PF, the Division of Facilities Services, and the many state agencies they support. His clear communication, positive attitude, and commitment to service strengthen collaboration across the organization.

Through his dedication and professionalism, Jayshawn's commitment to his work and the people he serves makes him a shining example, and one of our best State of Alaska employees.

Matt Cruickshank's excellent public service is best seen through his commitment to operational improvement, teamwork, and serving the DFS and the State. As a Facility Manager, he consistently looks for ways to improve processes, strengthen partnerships, and ensure facilities are safe, functional, and well managed.

Matt leads through action, building strong relationships with internal teams and external partners. His ability to foster trust and open communication helps streamline operations and resolve complex challenges with professionalism and efficiency.

He continually identifies opportunities to improve workflows, reduce inefficiencies, and implement practical solutions that benefit the entire division. Matt is a trusted resource for Facility Managers and Hub Managers across the organization, generously sharing his knowledge and experience.

His calm demeanor, positive attitude, and willingness to embrace new ideas make him a valued colleague and role model. Often working behind the scenes, Matt consistently goes all-out to support others and strengthen operations. His dedication, integrity, and leadership make a strong and difference for DFS and our customers.

Throughout Henry Cole's more than 20 years of dedicated service, collaboration, and commitment to his coworkers and the State of Alaska, he has exemplified the essence of OneDOT&PF. Since joining DOT&PF in 2003, Henry has served in several roles, gaining valuable experience in Construction, Maintenance & Operations, and now Statewide Facilities.

As an Engineer/Architect 1, Henry managed the gravel inventory program, a critical responsibility supporting Maintenance & Operations across Northern Region. His attention to detail, technical knowledge, and proactive communication helped ensure materials and services reached teams where they were needed.

Henry has been a dependable partner during emergency response efforts and special projects requiring coordination across divisions and regions. He consistently builds strong relationships with field crews, leadership, and colleagues, always approaching his work with a team-first mindset.

Bringing his experience to Statewide Facilities, Henry continues to strengthen connections throughout the department. His adaptability, reliability, and willingness to support others make him a true example of OneDOT&PF in action.

Ruben Pacheco has been a dedicated member of the DOT&PF team for nearly ten years, first as a plumber and now as Facility Maintenance Lead overseeing daily operations across Anchorage. His professionalism, reliability, and service-focused attitude have made him a trusted leader and valued partner to the agencies he supports.

Ruben consistently provides outstanding customer service through clear communication and follow-through. He keeps customers informed, ensures commitments are fulfilled, and takes pride in the quality of his team’s work. He has also embraced new technology, incorporating the Facilities Call Center and Operate system into maintenance workflows to improve response times, documentation, and efficiency.

Ruben’s commitment was recently demonstrated when a sewer line broke at the Palmer State Office Building. Without being asked, he volunteered to respond after hours and help with the repair. His quick action and leadership helped the facility reopen the next morning with minimal disruption.

Ruben leads by example, combining technical expertise, initiative, and genuine dedication.

Vivian Beaton demonstrated exceptional dedication and problem-solving skills as Project Engineer for the DOC Lemon Creek Correctional Structural Upgrades project. This complex project presented numerous challenges, including material shortages, equipment issues, schedule impacts, unexpected building deficiencies, and changes in project personnel.

Throughout the project, Vivian has worked closely with the contractor and consultant team to identify practical solutions and keep the work moving forward. She brings a collaborative, solutions-focused approach to each challenge, helping the team navigate obstacles while maintaining a focus on quality and the needs of the Department of Corrections.

Her dedication and willingness to engage with difficult issues, communicate effectively, and find ways to improve the project made a important difference.

Michael Burkhead has been an exceptional addition to the Leasing Section, quickly making a positive impact since joining the team in October 2024. He brought valuable experience and a strong understanding of state government, allowing him to adapt to a new role and responsibilities.

Michael embraced the challenges of leasing with enthusiasm, quickly developing the knowledge needed to deliver results beyond what is typically expected of a new employee. During a period of leadership transition, he stepped up to take responsibility for the Southeast and Peninsula regions. In his first year, he successfully managed numerous lease extensions and moves while also providing support to regions across the state.

Michael’s adaptability, initiative, and commitment to teamwork have made him a valued member of our team.

Special Ops Roving Team: Ted Hertzler and Zach Nelson

Zach Nelson and Ted Hertzler exemplify teamwork, dedication, and excellence through their work as Maintenance Specialist Leads with DFS. Their specialized skills make them a trusted team for challenging projects throughout Alaska, where they consistently deliver results that reflect DOT&PF’s commitment to safety, quality, and service.

Recently, they completed a full remodel of the Thompson Pass bunkhouse, replaced a roof in Chitina, and are leading improvements at the Haines Maintenance Station. Their work has expanded to support facilities statewide, making maintenance camps, bunkhouses, and other workspaces safer, more functional, and more comfortable.

Ted and Zach approach every project with professionalism, craftsmanship, ingenuity, and pride. Many of their assignments are complex and remote, requiring flexibility, endurance, and strong teamwork. They consistently find practical solutions and leave lasting improvements for the crews who depend on these facilities.

Bobby Perkins is always reliable and on top of plumbing projects at FAI. He is in charge of multiple systems that range from the bathrooms to the boilers and everything in between. He helps manage the international trash burning and maintains the equipment involved. He handles AC systems in the summer and heating system in the winter. He never complains about his tasks, routine and emergency alike. He’s not afraid to tackle large projects either. Some recent larger tasks to note are; 

• Design/Install heating system at the environmental storage building;
• Adding Backflow Prevention devices at the AMF and the Terminal, a mandate from the utility;
• Designed and built a system that takes hard runway chemical and processes it into a liquid for the field maintenance staff to use in the winter on the runway.

All of this while maintaining FAI's sewer, water, heating and cooling systems. Taking on these projects in-house, whereas others would have just involved an outside contractor, has saved FAI tens of thousands of dollars over the years.

He stays dedicated to his work and always maintains a good attitude. Bobby truly is an asset to FAI as its only plumber and as a great worker.

Teresa Fitzgerald personifies what it means to be an outstanding supervisor. She leads with trust and respect, giving FAI Police & Fire dispatchers the confidence to perform their responsibilities while remaining available to provide guidance and support.

Teresa understands that everyone makes mistakes and approaches those moments with patience and grace. Rather than simply pointing out an error, she helps employees understand the correct procedure or policy and encourages them to learn and improve. She recognizes the importance of life outside of work, supporting employees as they balance family and personal commitments. She fosters a workplace where employees feel valued, supported, and able to bring their best to work.

Under Teresa’s leadership, Fairbanks Airport Police and Fire Dispatch has maintained a strong, fully staffed team and a positive reputation as a desirable place to work. Teresa continually advocates for her employees and looks for ways to improve their work environment, compensation, and benefits.

Her leadership, compassion, and dedication make her an exceptional supervisor.

After joining FAI more than two years ago as an Operations Officer, Dean Baxter quickly advanced to Airfield Operations Supervisor. He has become a dedicated leader and supports the growth and success of his team, helping build an Airfield Operations group that FAI and its stakeholders can rely on.

Dean is committed to continually expanding his knowledge, seeking input from employees across departments and welcoming new ideas that strengthen his understanding of airport operations. He skillfully balances scheduling and budget challenges while maintaining 24/7 coverage, managing overtime limitations, and considering the needs of his employees.

Dean works to create a positive and supportive workplace by encouraging and motivating colleagues, listening when they need support, and celebrating their successes. His open communication, respect, and positive attitude strengthen the team every day. Dean’s dedication helps keep FAI safe, compliant, efficient, and welcoming.

Autumn Werczynski has made an exceptional impact during her first year at Fairbanks International Airport, demonstrating initiative, leadership, and professionalism well beyond her experience. She created and implemented a comprehensive training plan for new Terminal Operations staff, helping establish consistent practices for safety, operational excellence, and customer service.

Autumn has taken ownership of several important airport programs. She manages merchandise and consumable inspections, helping ensure retail and food vendors meet required standards. She has strengthened the prohibited item audit program, improving compliance and security oversight throughout the terminal. She oversees the Aviation Workers Screening program, helping make this critical security process more efficient and consistent. She has played an important role in recruiting, training, and developing new staff, helping bring the department to full strength.

FAI staff, vendors, and passengers have greatly benefited from Autumn’s initiative, dedication, and commitment to excellence.

MSCVC's travel season is very hectic, and we cover the entirety of the State of Alaska with a limited number of inspectors to test all manner of legal for trade meters and scales for correctness and accuracy. We have planned annual trips, and respond to requests for inspector for devices that are in remote locations. Talphus English was a large part of why our travel season, and the off-cycle requests went as smoothly as they did.

In the first four months of 2025, Talphus traveled to 20 communities. He's traveled as far north as Utqiagvik, as far south as Wrangell, as far west as Unalaska, as for east as MP 1265 Alaska Highway, and many points in between.

Talphus has demonstrated exceptional flexibility, consistently adapting to sudden changes in workload with minimal notice. This level of commitment reflects his unwavering dedication to MSCVC and its mission to inspect all legal-for-trade devices throughout Alaska. His dependability, flexibility, and long with his consistently positive attitude, has made a significant impact in keeping operations running smoothly, even during challenging or unpredictable circumstances. His contributions reinforce the collaborative spirit and resilience of MSCVC.

Stephanie King consistently makes herself available to assist others outside of her own team, demonstrating a strong sense of collaboration and cross-functional support. She takes the initiative to research questions when she does not know the answer, showing resourcefulness, intellectual curiosity, and a commitment to continuous learning. Her proactive approach not only helps resolve issues efficiently but also empowers others by sharing knowledge and fostering a culture of teamwork. She is known for her reliability, responsiveness, and willingness to go above and beyond to ensure collective success.

In 2025, Cynthia played a vital role in supporting both the Weights and Measures and Commercial Vehicle Compliance teams. She developed high-level presentations, led the Division’s Annual Report, and trained staff on data quality and inspection processes. Cynthia is a go-to resource for federal grant tracking, technology projects, and complex data requests—responding quickly and accurately, even under tight deadlines.
Her outstanding customer service spans the entire Division, consistently delivering high-quality reports to teams including grants, permitting, and metrology. Whether preparing last-minute data or offering guidance, Cynthia lifts up the Division with her reliability, flexibility, and dedication. She frequently goes above and beyond, sharing her expertise and supporting colleagues across and beyond the Division.

During the MSCVC Annual Training, Inspector Cruz exhibited exemplary initiative and creativity by conceptualizing and leading a professional, engaging, and educational activity. His exceptional leadership and facilitation skills ensured the session was both enjoyable and informative, fostering active participation from all attendees. The questions he crafted were thoughtfully constructed, directly relevant to our operational context, and appropriately challenging. Inspector Cruz’s contributions played a pivotal role in the overall success of the training and reflect the high standards and dedication characteristic of an outstanding employee.

Benjamin Johnson demonstrates a strong command of the Division’s grant processes, particularly in appropriate spending practices. His extensive knowledge—spanning grants, timesheets, and overall funding—makes him a go-to resource for financial guidance. He consistently provides clear, accurate advice that aligns with compliance standards and Division priorities. Benjamin is always willing to assist colleagues, offering practical solutions that support informed decisions. He also takes a proactive role in monitoring grant usage, identifying efficiencies, and helping prevent compliance issues. His collaborative approach and attention to detail contribute significantly to the Division’s financial health and operational success.

Since joining MSCVC in 2024, Insp. Ryan M. Nykamp has conducted 597 commercial vehicle inspections, identifying 1,100 violations. His sharp attention to detail led to 5.5% of drivers and 36% of vehicles being placed Out-of-Service.

During one week at the Potter weigh station (Sept 30–Oct 4), he wrote 95 violations—nearly half of Anchorage’s total that week. Drivers describe him as professional and thorough.

Insp. Nykamp is a reliable source of technical and educational support, and his work directly supports MSCVC’s mission to reduce crashes and fatalities on Alaska’s roads.

Jill is exceptional at her job to the point that many coworkers ask her advice and guidance on tasks or difficult situations. She has mentored many new employees, until they feel confident in their jobs, but still feel comfortable asking questions to continue learning. She has shown incredible professionalism even in the most challenging situations and has made the workplace feel more like a home. No matter how busy she is with her own projects, she always makes time to help others and guide them through what they need help with.

Jill fosters internal customer service and teamwork statewide across team boundaries, always willing to work with other groups to achieve project goals for the department. She is always willing to help outside of her own set of projects, and is very respectful even in frustrating situations and keeps positive attitude in situations where it is easy to be negative.

She has had direct impact on keeping capital improvement projects on track, including obligating the flood control bridges in FY25, getting environmental document for Elliott highway 43-51 to obligate in FY26, and keeping the other projects on schedule for their Phase 2 obligations in FY25 and FY26. She trained a new analyst and helped in their achievements, including drafting two CEs, conducting two open houses, completing a 106 PA update, completing a CE re-eval, and training them to be able to make their own figures in ArcGIS.

Jill deserves to be recognized for the everyday differences she makes for her coworkers and to keep DOT&PF Northern Region running smoothly.

The Northern Region (NR) Contracts Section — Barbie Tanner, Debbie Scott, Nick Shier, Pam Lord, Loren Haddix, Heidi Joye, and Paula Osborn — consistently delivers outstanding public service and collaborative solutions across agencies and partners. Despite being short three staff, the team initiated and amended countless Professional Service Agreements, managed bidding and award processes for federally and state funded construction projects, and enabled NR to obligate over $500 million in capital improvements. Their work directly supported the advertising, opening, and awarding of approximately $380 million in projects by the end of FFY2025.

The team models professionalism, integrity, and teamwork by proactively identifying bottlenecks, proposing practical solutions, and producing accurate, timely contract documents and addenda. Their attention to detail and commitment to quality reduced rework and accelerated completion of advertised Plans, Specifications, and Estimates, shortening timelines to advertising and award. Stakeholders report clearer communication, faster responses, and smoother coordination between project teams, contractors, and external partners.

A concrete example of their customer service occurred when the Commissioner requested two projects be awarded before fiscal year end. The Contracts Section worked long hours over a one week period to resolve legal, procurement, and scheduling hurdles, finalize contract packages, and complete awards on time, preserving program momentum and funding. Their rapid, coordinated response prevented delays and demonstrated a solutions-first mindset.

The Northern Region Contracts Section’s sustained high performance, measurable impact on budgets and schedules, and collaborative problem solving make them worthy of recognition.

Shelley Dykema brings nearly 38 years of service to DOT&PF’s Northern Region Project Control Office. As section lead, she oversees all capital project funding: tracking regional obligations, managing State/FHWA/FAA programs, processing PDP revision requests, and coordinating PDAs with the Federal Aid Office. Her institutional expertise and commitment to excellence drive her team’s success and bolster the region’s funding outcomes.

Shelley processed and quality-checked several hundred PDP revision requests in the past year, securing timely federal approvals that enabled delivery of the region’s half of billion in capital funding. She stepped in during the year-end obligation cycle to assist the Federal Aid Office, processing incoming and outgoing obligations to maintain funding momentum. She manages and mentors a team of three funding specialists (and recruits a fourth), equipping them to operate independently and reducing backlog risk. She is routinely consulted by other sections for her expertise in deadline-driven funding coordination and complex obligation workflows.

Her professionalism includes delivering high-quality, error-free work products with clear communication to federal and internal partners; fostering a collaborative environment, actively training staff on complex funding processes; adhereing strictly to federal guidelines, safeguarding the integrity of every funding obligation; volunteering her weekends during critical cycles and deadlines, and ensuring uninterrupted funding delivery.

Shelley has helped ensured a ½ billion dollars in regional capital funding was obligated on time. She has reduced errors and improved consistency in PDP revision submissions by processing hundreds of revisions on behalf of project managers. She's strengthened regional capacity by training three specialists to handle advanced funding tasks independently.

Facing a staffing shortfall in the Fed Aid Office during the year-end cycle, Shelley processed dozens of requests, ensuring seamless delivery for the state’s capital program. Her steadfast integrity and empowering leadership embody the highest ideals of DOT&PF.

Ron Davis works beyond the boundaries of his district to support the department as a whole. Whether it’s finding equipment for a crew in need or providing manpower to cover an unexpected gap, he never hesitates to step in. He doesn’t just take care of his own district, he looks for opportunities to help others across the state, ensuring that everyone has the tools and support they need to succeed.

This past summer, when multiple fires broke out outside our district, Ron immediately agreed to send our people out to assist those outlying districts. He deployed crews to remote locations in need of help and made equipment available to other districts that didn’t have the resources. There have been many imilar examples over the years where Ron has stepped up to fill the gap and keep operations moving forward.

Ron helps even when it’s not convenient or ideal for his team - he still makes it happen. His mindset is that the mission comes first: keeping Alaska moving. This kind of leadership not only strengthens operations within his own district but also fosters a culture of teamwork, trust, and reliability across DOT&PF.

Ron leads by example. His dedication, resourcefulness, and willingness to go the extra mile have earns him respect at every level. He is not just a superintendent; he is a true partner to his peers and a reliable advocate for the crews on the ground.

Laura Back is an outstanding employee and a true asset for the State of Alaska. She has taken a lead role in finding technological solutions to Right-of-Way (ROW) management problems. She has a great, positive attitude. She’s innovative, efficient, and productive.

Laura developed a reporting tool that Maintenance and Operations uses to report abandoned vehicles for removal. She takes on a lead role getting abandoned vehicle removed from the roadside. Laura developed a similar tool to report and track other types of encroachments in the highway ROW. DMIO recently developed and deployed a new permit system for Encroachment Permits and Laura represented Northern Region in the development work group. She continues to provide helpful feedback to encourage the creation of user-friendly permit system that promotes efficiency.

In June of 2025, the ROW agent that dealt with the more basic permits Property Management processes went on maternity leave. Laura along with her co-worker, covered and continues to cover that position’s duties. Laura personally processed over 100 permit applications, which included her normal permit workload and a large portion of the absent employee’s.

In addition to completing a highway ROW property disposal in Cordova, Laura processed rural airport boundary changes and property disposals. A relatively new responsibility for Property Management, she quickly gained knowledge of the complex regulations and procedures that govern rural airport boundary changes and property disposals.

Laura consistently demonstrates professionalism, innovation, a positive attitude, and a strong work ethic.

Just three years ago, Kyle accepted the Avalanche Technician position on Thompson Pass. Since then, he has consistently gone above and beyond the call of duty; bringing years of backcountry avalanche training to the team, he immediately set out to improve operational practices and road safety.

Kyle developed a training program for equipment operators working in avalanche-prone areas, ensuring they are properly equipped with safety gear and emergency response bags. Recognizing that our crews are often the first responders to incidents, he emphasized the importance of having the right training and equipment—because being prepared can save lives.

Kyle also played a key role in the development of the Risk Reduction Matrix. Quantifying the unpredictability of Mother Nature is no easy task, but he remained committed to finding a solution. His efforts came to fruition during the 2024–25 winter season with the successful rollout of a new system. As a result, both road and operational safety saw significant improvements—closures became faster, safer, and more coordinated.

Kyle has continued to enhance DOT&PF's weather information systems. Most recently, he oversaw the installation of a new weather station atop a mountain more than a mile above the highway—another step toward improving forecasting and decision-making in extreme conditions.

Grace Fisher has made an extraordinary impact since joining the Department of Transportation & Public Facilities Northern Region as a Publication Specialist. Grace quickly established herself as a dependable, professional, and highly capable team member. Within her first year, she has led critical communication efforts, supported emergency operations, and strengthened DOT&PF’s connection to the public through storytelling, imagery, and service.

One of Grace’s most notable achievements was her role in documenting the Ruby, Alaska airport renaming ceremony honoring Harold Esmailka. Invited by Commissioner Anderson, Grace captured powerful footage and engaged directly with community members to ensure Harold’s legacy was represented with cultural accuracy and respect. Her professionalism, empathy, and ability to connect with others demonstrated DOT&PF’s core values of integrity and service at their finest.

Grace was deployed to Bethel as part of the West Coast Storm Incident Command System (ICS) response—an opportunity rarely given to employees so early in their positions. With only two hours’ notice, she joined the charter flight and immediately began managing field communications. Grace documented conditions across affected communities, took detailed morning/evening notes, tracked personnel movements, and ensured all team members were informed and supported. She worked 14+ hour days without hesitation, capturing both the devastation and resilience of Alaska’s people. Her empathy shone through when she stopped to comfort an elder watching her family evacuate, exemplifying compassion and the department’s values of teamwork and public service.

Amid crisis operations, she continued to fulfill her regular duties—producing regional social media content, graphics, and videos that strengthened DOT&PF’s outreach and storytelling. Grace is a true example of a rising leader: her initiative, professionalism, and contributions set a standard for what it means to serve Alaskans.

NR Engineering Geology Team: Chris Bruns, Timothy Tannenbaum, Jocelyn Simpson, Matt Blake, Yesim Goyette, Pete Lanigan, Quentin Mercer, Destry Coke, Tom Babbin, Eric Anderson

Chris Bruns, Chief Engineering Geologist, and his geotechnical drilling team have delivered exceptional results on the high-profile West Susitna Project. Accessible only by helicopter, the remote sites pose significant challenges—minimal resources, harsh weather, and demanding timelines. Despite these conditions, the team has consistently ensured all necessary permits were obtained on schedule, coordinated effectively with multiple partners, and maintained a rapid pace of work to keep this critical project moving forward.

Their efforts exemplify tDOT&PF's values of professionalism, teamwork, integrity, safety, and service. Each day, they show up ready to work, adapting to unpredictable Alaskan weather while upholding the highest standards of field safety. They have balanced project deadlines with a commitment to transparency and education, often pausing their work to provide tours for staff and partners. These tours, which showcase the intricate geotechnical investigations and the importance of the project, reflect their pride in their work and their dedication to bringing others along in understanding the value of what they do.

The team continues to advance several other high-profile initiatives in the background, proving their ability to deliver results across multiple priorities. One memorable example: in the middle of a demanding drilling schedule, they took the time to host a detailed field tour for agency partners—slowing their work but strengthening interagency trust and understanding. This combination of technical excellence, dedication to safety, and commitment to service makes this team truly deserving of recognition.

Chris Hunt exemplifies the highest standards of public service through his unwavering dedication to the Department of Transportation & Public Facilities (DOT&PF) and the State of Alaska. He consistently goes above and beyond to ensure that every employee has the tools and resources they need to succeed—acting with urgency, precision, and a steadfast commitment to securing the best quality at the most responsible cost.

Chris and his team are here to serve the State, and they take that responsibility seriously. His integrity and sense of duty are not just admirable—they’re contagious. Chris’s long-standing service to DOT&PF is a benchmark of excellence. He is routinely entrusted by the Commissioner’s Office with high-priority, time-sensitive procurements, and he delivers—on time, within budget, and without compromise. Even during periods of staff shortages, Chris could be found working late nights and weekends, driven not by obligation but by a genuine desire to support his colleagues and ensure uninterrupted public service.

Despite an ever-growing workload, Chris remains a go-to resource for peers and leadership alike. He is generous with his time, always willing to pause and offer expert guidance with a calm, reassuring demeanor that transforms complex challenges into manageable tasks. His professionalism, depth of knowledge, and collaborative spirit make him an indispensable asset to DOT&PF and a role model across the State. Alaska is fortunate to have Chris Hunt—a leader whose dedication, humility, and excellence elevate everyone around him.

Kyrah Johnson demonstrated outstanding customer service through her leadership and collaboration during the Windows migration for the Alaska Marine Highway System (AMHS). She led the successful statewide effort to upgrade AMHS workstations before Windows 10 support ended, helping maintain security, operational stability, and compliance.

Kyrah coordinated closely with IT staff, vessel crews, and terminal employees to manage a complex rollout across multiple locations with minimal disruption to ferry operations. She communicated with employees, anticipated challenges, resolved technical issues, and developed practical solutions that met the needs of both field and office staff.

Her careful planning, attention to detail, and customer-focused approach helped prevent unnecessary downtime, avoid costly support extensions, and strengthen cybersecurity readiness. Throughout the project, Kyrah demonstrated professionalism, integrity, and a strong commitment to teamwork.

Her initiative and dedication to supporting others reflect the essential values of collaboration, reliability, and public service.

Briana Pedersen consistently goes above and beyond to support her team, often taking on responsibilities outside her regular duties. Each year during the re-appropriation period, she steps in to manage travel transactions redirected to DOT Finance, a process that requires her to quickly relearn procedures and adapt to changes from the previous year.

Bree not only manages this additional workload alongside her regular responsibilities, but also trains and supports coworkers who assist with the redirected travel. She shares her knowledge, and helps ensure transactions are processed accurately and efficiently.

Her leadership, initiative, patience, and innovative approach help maintain the high standards and internal controls expected throughout DOT&PF. Bree’s efforts play an important role in keeping the annual re-appropriation process running smoothly and make her a valuable asset to the department.

Lindsey Wolf has become a critical point of contact for a wide variety of topics within the PMA division. Despite working in a busy section with responsibilities of her own, Lindsey never hesitates to pause what she's doing to help a colleague from another division work through a complex question or challenge. Her willingness to support others is matched by her kindness, professionalism, and consistently courteous approach. Lindsey readily shares her knowledge and expertise, helping coworkers move their work forward. She is a trusted resource, a generous teammate, and a true pleasure to work with. Lindsey’s resourcefulness and commitment to helping others make her an excellent example of collaboration and outstanding public service.

Lola Green is a hardworking, dedicated, and generous member of the Central Region Procurement team. She consistently goes the extra mile, creating more than 600 Purchase Orders in the past year—the most in DOT&PF Procurement—while also supporting bids and other procurement needs. Even with a demanding workload, Lola is quick to offer assistance and share her expertise.

In addition to her procurement responsibilities, Lola serves as the Central Region Property Officer, tracking property items and working closely with custodians across multiple units. Her work is consistently thorough and of high quality, and she approaches every task with a positive attitude and genuine willingness to help. Lola’s dedication, reliability, and teamwork make her a valuable asset to DOT&PF and a pleasure to work with.

Jeff Martinez's adaptability, technical excellence, and innovation have been of great value to DOT&PF. He consistently takes on challenging projects, including learning new development languages and creating solutions that help teams complete critical work. His work developing an AI chatbot demonstrates his commitment to improving efficiency by using standardized language and information from existing forms to streamline document creation and reduce repetitive work.

Jeff volunteered to help modernize legacy ColdFusion applications, and quickly became a primary developer on the effort, proactively identifying concerns and helping standardize applications across systems.

Jeff demonstrates professionalism, teamwork, integrity, and a strong commitment to service.

Erik Shook is a valued member of DOT&PF's Procurement Section by quickly establishing himself as a dependable and dedicated team member. During a period of short staffing, Erik has consistently stepped up to help wherever needed, willingly taking on additional responsibilities and supporting his coworkers. He arrives each day with a positive attitude and a genuine desire to learn and grow.

Erik works well with everyone on the team and approaches his responsibilities with care and professionalism. His work consistently meets high-quality standards, his communication is thoughtful and professional, and he tackles complex situations thouroughly. The Procurement Section is fortunate to have Erik as part of the team and greatly appreciates his contributions, teamwork, and commitment to excellent service.

Federal Aid Team: Adam Moser, Kayla Sweitzer, Stephanie Hopkins, Stacy Gullufsen, Bradley Storozuk, Karin McCoy, Joshua Jarrett

Despite being a newly formed team and losing a long-standing expert and source of institutional knowledge, to retirement this year, the Federal Aid Team rose to the challenge and delivered exceptional results during the critical August Redistribution period. With several members still learning new systems and responsibilities, the team demonstrated adaptability, collaboration, and professionalism. They cross-trained in real time, supported each another, and maintained strong communication with regional partners and FHWA to ensure the work was completed accurately and on time.

Their efforts resulted in Alaska receiving more than $183M in August Redistribution for FFY25, compared with $19M in FFY24 and a 10-year average of $59M from 2015–2025. This significant result reflects the team’s technical expertise, teamwork, and ability to perform under pressure. Their success demonstrates resilience and a shared commitment.

It’s hard to know where to begin when describing Judy Anunciacion and the many ways she contributes to her team. She works incredibly hard, consistently produces an impressive volume of high-quality work, and manages a wide variety of tasks, projects, and unexpected requests with remarkable ease. Even with a demanding workload, Judy approaches everything with a positive attitude, a smile, and genuine kindness.

Judy is never afraid to take on a challenge, even when she is faced with something unfamiliar. She approaches new assignments with curiosity and determination, working through each one calmly and consistently until the job is done. Her reliability and willingness to learn make her someone others can count on.

Judy remains friendly, professional, and respectful, even during stressful situations. She sets an excellent example for her peers through her strong work ethic, positive attitude, and commitment to getting things done. Judy is truly someone we can all aspire to emulate.

Mark Eisenman has played an important role in building collaboration among multiple agencies and partners to advance projects that benefit Alaska’s transportation system, communities, wildlife, and veterans. He restarted a working group bringing together USFWS, ADF&G, and DOT&PF to collaborate on culvert improvements supporting both fish passage and transportation needs. Mark helped DOT&PF partner with Eklutna Native Village and Knik Tribe on FHWA culvert grant applications.

He helped secure discretionary funding for a wildlife crossing mitigation study along the Glenn Highway, an area with frequent moose-vehicle collisions, and will serve as Project Manager. Mark has also helped secure funding and initiate projects improving the Trail of Blue Ice and developing a Gold Star memorial in partnership with other agencies.

Through his leadership, persistence, and relationship-building, Mark continues to strengthen partnerships and advance meaningful projects across Alaska.

Jill Melcher demonstrated exceptional leadership in developing the 10-Year Plan concept within the Planning Section under an extremely compressed timeline. Recognizing the need for greater clarity and coordination in long-term planning, Jill built the process and product from the ground up. She developed her region’s project list and created an innovative Airtable dashboard that streamlined data entry while making the 10-Year Plan more accessible and transparent to regional and statewide stakeholders.

Jill guided planners across regions in adopting the new system, coordinated with leadership to align goals, and established procedures for maintaining and updating the plan. When multiple regions faced competing deadlines, Jill provided hands-on support and introduced a more efficient update process. Her calm, service-oriented approach helped teams maintain accuracy under pressure. Jill’s initiative, innovation, collaboration, and commitment to continuous improvement have strengthened planning efforts across DOT&PF.

Molly Proue is an outstanding team player who consistently steps up to keep projects moving forward. Her deep knowledge of Section 106 and NEPA regulations is an invaluable resource to her colleagues and project teams. When complex issues or difficult discussions arise, Molly brings a thoughtful, solutions-focused approach that helps teams navigate challenges and make informed decisions. She is always willing to share her expertise and support others, making her a trusted resource across the organization.

Beyond her technical knowledge, Molly is highly personable, approachable, and committed to helping others succeed. She is a skilled mentor who generously shares her experience and encourages those around her. Her professionalism, collaboration, and willingness to help make her an excellent coworker.

Annabelle Reed consistently goes above and beyond her job responsibilities to help Planning and Project Delivery staff succeed. She is a dependable resource for administrative and HR questions, helping employees connect with the correct resources. She keeps staff on track with timesheet submissions while also ensuring timesheets, invoices, and other payments are processed accurately and on time.

Annabelle approaches her work with a wonderful attitude and is always willing to assist when help is needed. Her contributions often happen behind the scenes, and she plays a vital role in keeping the division organized, efficient, and running smoothly. Her commitment to supporting her colleagues and the organization makes her a valued and appreciated member of the team.

Michelle is Planning’s GIS Coordinator, and her skills and expertise have supported the section in many ways since joining Planning. She worked with Jill Melcher to transform the new “10-Year Plan” into an accessible GIS format, creating an easy-to-navigate dashboard for the effort. She also helped develop a new Alaska Community Connectivity Action Plan (ACCAP) tool to map multimodal community connectivity and created a GIS StoryMap illustrating DOT&PF’s “Family of Plans.”

Michelle will bring her expertise to the Long Range Transportation Plan development, which is currently underway. Her strong technical knowledge, creativity, and willingness to explore solutions make her a valuable resource. She consistently brings a positive attitude and has become a quiet leader within the section, helping others effectively use data and GIS to support planning.

Romo Marasigan, a Transportation Planner in Project Delivery’s Statewide Planning section, has quickly become an important member of the team. New to the planning field, Romo brings energy, curiosity, professionalism, and a collaborative spirit to every assignment. He has demonstrated an impressive ability to learn quickly and contribute meaningfully, including helping complete long-overdue Memoranda of Agreement with communities and authoring and reviewing sections of the Planning Manual.

During development of the 176-topic Planning Manual, Romo consistently volunteered to contribute, participating in every sprint call and leading several meetings. His thoughtful questions and well-considered input help move projects forward. He has represented leadership in important meetings with communities and partner agencies. Romo’s initiative, teamwork, integrity, and commitment to public service make him a standout Rookie.

Alaska Community Transit Team: Julius Adolfsson, Kathy Ulery, Ken Platt, Susie Edwardson, Jose Aristy

This team has truly come together over the summer, demonstrating outstanding teamwork, communication, and resilience while managing a demanding and often stressful workload. They have worked collaboratively to finalize grant awards for rural transit providers, addressed high-priority Federal Transit Administration issues, and organized two rural service provider conferences to strengthen communication with customers and help resolve challenges. The team also navigated the complex process of transferring funding to new direct recipients, including tribes, when timely funding was essential to maintaining service.

Transit programs involve many moving parts, and funding delays can create significant challenges for providers and communities. The addition of new Metropolitan Planning Organizations has increased the complexity of rural and urban transit programs, but this team has consistently tackled challenges with professionalism, creativity, and a positive attitude. They support one another, communicate effectively, and have built a strong sense of trust and teamwork. Their success makes them an excellent example for teams across DOT&PF.

Ellie Hakari consistently demonstrates exceptional problem-solving skills that directly support DOT&PF’s mission by improving operational efficiency, reducing resource use, and enhancing data-driven decision-making.

Ellie led the development and implementation of the SR Director Dashboard, a tool used to improve project delivery reliability and track progress. Developing the Director Dashboard required Ellie to learn new programming skills and collaborate with groups throughout the Department to compile the data from several sources into one user friendly interface. Ellie persevered through dozens of setbacks and iterations to deliver a final product that has already helped increase project reporting accuracy by 10% since its launch.

Ellie has also helped streamline Southcoast Region and Statewide’ s geotechnical asset management data collection process. Ellie worked with colleagues and technical experts from ESRI to develop new workflows across multiple collection platforms to create a single user-friendly application interface that combines new and historic inspection records to help the Department track asset deterioration. Recognizing a need to improve efficiency when collaborating on large GIS datasets, Ellie worked with OIT to launch a remote desktop server for the SR Materials Group and develop workflows with OIT to modify data storage practices and decrease computing time.

Project Control: Amber Marshall, Giannie Gamulo, Lobell Garcia, and Arby Subeldia

This year, two aviation project designs were successfully advanced to advertising, requiring coordination and support from several groups. Southcoast Region Project Control provided critical assistance throughout the process. The Authority to Advertise form was reviewed for fiscal accuracy, and was promptly moved forward. The team's expertise and attention to detail were essential to keeping the process on track.

They also provided valuable support during preparation of the AIP grant applications by quickly gathering the financial information needed to document consultant costs and internal design expenses. Their knowledge, responsiveness, and commitment made a significant difference in meeting project goals. Thanks to this team's contributions, two grants totaling approximately $65 million were approved, allowing construction contracts to be awarded in a timely manner. Their teamwork and expertise were instrumental to this success.

Todd Boris demonstrates exceptional leadership through clear technical direction, thoughtful decision-making, and a strong commitment to minimizing community impacts while delivering buildable solutions. On the Ketchikan Tongass Avenue and Water Street Viaducts project, Todd helped guide complex staging and phasing discussions in coordination with the contractor and design team, developing practical concepts that account for construction schedules, cruise seasons, and local access.

Todd’s leadership also extends to traffic control, where he has helped teams break complex construction activities into manageable operations and develop workable traffic control concepts. He consistently emphasizes safe, logical work zones while maintaining access for residents and businesses whenever possible. In technical workshops, Todd effectively frames options, identifies tradeoffs, and guides teams toward well-supported decisions.

Calm, direct, and dependable under pressure, Todd’s technical expertise and collaborative leadership have helped move challenging projects forward while keeping community needs at the forefront.

Erik Norberg exemplifies the OneDOT&PF philosophy through his dedication, professionalism, and willingness to support teams beyond his regular responsibilities. After transitioning from Statewide Environmental to his role as Southcoast M&O Specialist, Erik continued providing valuable environmental expertise to Statewide Public Facilities construction projects.

During the 2025 construction season, Public Facilities faced staffing challenges while managing numerous projects in remote areas of Alaska. Recognizing the need, Erik stepped in as the on-site Project Engineer for the Petersburg Oil Water Separator System Project. This complex project involved environmental remediation, contaminated materials, and installation of a new oil-water separator system while maintaining regulatory compliance.

Erik’s technical knowledge, adaptability, and hands-on leadership were critical to the project’s success. His ability to balance these additional responsibilities with his regular duties demonstrated outstanding initiative, teamwork, and commitment to DOT&PF.

Patty Lont demonstrated remarkable perseverance while overseeing the Wolfe Point Slope Stability project in Ketchikan, navigating a series of significant challenges from start to finish. She joined the CM/GC project late in design development and then faced a major rockslide within the project limits that required emergency response coordination, an EOC command structure, and frequent changes to the design and work plan. She also managed difficult community concerns while navigating staffing changes, including losing local support and later integrating a consultant team for inspection, materials testing, and office engineering.

Throughout these challenges, Patty remained receptive to feedback, was adaptable, and committed to seeing the project through. Despite long days, shifting priorities, and significant pressure, she maintained her focus and kept the work moving forward. Her perseverance, professionalism, and determination to complete the project demonstrate her strength as an outstanding team member.

Travis Dennison proactive and innovative efforts have improved network performance and CAD efficiency for the Southcoast Region design team. He identified significant network and CAD performance issues affecting both teleworking and office-based staff and took the initiative to investigate their causes. Working with coworkers and OIT, Travis helped implement a Remote Desktop solution that allowed teleworking staff to access their office-based CAD workstations, improving productivity by bypassing VPN limitations.

Travis also discovered that network speeds at the 7-Mile building were significantly lower than those in other regions. He brought the issue forward, recommended increased bandwidth, and continued working with OIT when performance unexpectedly declined after new equipment was installed. OIT ultimately identified and corrected a network configuration issue, resulting in internet speeds approximately ten times faster.

Travis’s persistence, collaboration, and practical problem-solving have improved efficiency across the team.

Ryan Peyton has quickly proven himself to be a valuable member of the team, demonstrating professionalism, dedication, collaboration, and integrity throughout his first two years of service. During recent emergency events, including the Glacial Lake Outburst Flood and Western Alaska Coastal Storm, Ryan went above and beyond his normal responsibilities to support communities and transportation infrastructure.

He spent several days in the field assisting with damage assessments in severely impacted areas, often working in challenging weather and difficult conditions. Ryan traveled on short notice, flew in a variety of aircraft, and approached each assignment with a calm, positive attitude. His reliability, teamwork, and ability to remain composed under pressure have earned the respect of colleagues across the region.

Ryan’s contributions strengthened emergency response efforts and demonstrated a strong commitment to serving Alaska’s communities and maintaining safe, resilient transportation infrastructure.

Rover Team: David Frary, Andrew Hills, Miguel Paz, Zack Ferrin

This Rover Team has demonstrated exceptional dedication, collaboration, and technical expertise as members of the Southcoast Region QA/Materials team. Their teamwork is essential to fulfilling DOT&PF’s stewardship responsibilities with FHWA and FAA while ensuring materials and testing meet required standards. Collectively, the team travels nearly 26,000 air miles each construction season to support projects across the vast Southcoast Region.

David brings extensive expertise in materials management, sampling, testing, and certification. His attention to detail and ability to anticipate issues help keep projects on track and support accurate closeout and final payments. Miguel combines strong engineering knowledge with innovation, developing an integrated system for concrete cylinder and grout cube reporting that streamlined workflows and reduced errors. His Buy America work has also been adopted statewide.

Andrew’s organizational skills and AASHTOWare expertise help coordinate complex logistics and maintain consistent testing practices. He is a dependable resource who readily assists colleagues across the department. Zack contributes valuable field experience in sampling, testing, equipment calibration, and certification while mentoring employees and promoting teamwork.

Together, they share knowledge, support professional development, and foster a culture of collaboration and continuous improvement. Their combined efforts strengthen project quality, compliance, efficiency, and service across the region.

Bev Leslie consistently demonstrates exceptional initiative, resourcefulness, and dedication in supporting Statewide Aviation. She plays an important role in managing the section’s budget, coordinating closely with staff to maintain fiscal discipline and ensure timely and accurate budget submissions. Her careful planning and attention to detail strengthen the team’s overall efficiency.

Bev also manages the complex timesheet process for Statewide Aviation staff with care and precision, ensuring information is accurate and submitted correctly and on time for payment. When unexpected needs arise, she readily steps in to help, whether assisting with an operating budget request or entering critical information into Airtable on short notice. She approaches each task with professionalism and a positive attitude, providing dependable support without hesitation.

Bev’s precision, reliability, and willingness to help make her a valued member of the team. Her commitment to supporting her colleagues and keeping important processes moving reflects the professionalism, teamwork, and dedication that advance DOT&PF’s mission every day.

Remote Sensing Lab: Caprice Larimer-Musty, Brian Edinger, Ryan Marlow, Melany Wilson, Troy LaRue, Rebecca Douglas, Steven Fett

Originally founded in the 1970s as the Optics Lab, the Remote Sensing Lab (RSL) has evolved into an innovation hub for Alaska DOT&PF. Since 2019, this five-person team has transformed how the Department collects and manages data, delivers infrastructure, and responds to emergencies. Their work demonstrates exceptional professionalism, teamwork, and integrity while solving complex challenges in Alaska’s demanding environments.

The RSL designed and operates Alaska’s edge computing network, Atlas Management Layer for Starlink (AMLR), and integrated GIS, video, and AI systems into an automated ecosystem connecting DOT&PF divisions. Their deployment of advanced imagery tools reduced processing time by more than 70% between 2023 and 2025, saving the Department more than $2.3 million. The team also manages survey and construction technologies, including GNSS and mobile and helicopter-mounted LiDAR, supporting safer field operations and more accurate project delivery.

During the 2025 Western Alaska floods, RSL systems provided real-time imagery and assessments to FEMA and state partners within hours using Starlink connectivity, supporting faster emergency response and public safety efforts. The team has also advanced statewide EV infrastructure standards and secure communications while collaborating with more than 28 state DOTs. With only five members, the RSL continues to strengthen resilience, modernize operations, and deliver innovative solutions statewide.

Statewide Aviation Office: Troy LaRue, Rebecca Douglas, Andrew Warner, Ryan Marlow, Dylan Blankenship, Kari Hebert, Melanie Bray, Clark Cox, Britton Goldberg, Diana Osborne, Sharyn Augustine, Jeremy Worrall, Joshua Stuckey, Clint Woodward, Carmen Lobsinger, Caprice Larimer-Musty, Brian Edinger, Samantha Spencer, Melany Wilson, Steven Fett

Statewide Aviation exemplifies the spirit of “OneDOT&PF” through collaboration, innovation, and dedication to improving safety and connectivity across Alaska. In 2025, the team advanced the Don Young Alaska Aviation Safety Initiative through close coordination with the FAA and industry partners, identifying locations for new weather monitoring systems and using Starlink to improve reliability at remote sites. The team is also working to restore nighttime access at more than 29 rural airport approaches, helping strengthen dependable access for medical, passenger, and cargo operations.

Statewide Aviation also successfully hosted the National Association of State Aviation Officials Annual Conference, bringing together more than 400 participants from 48 states, federal agencies, and industry. Staff from across the state collaborated to showcase Alaska’s aviation challenges and innovations.

During severe weather events, SWA coordinated with regional staff and partners to rapidly assess damage using drones and deliver emergency lighting to a community cut off by storms, restoring safe airport operations within 24 hours. These efforts demonstrate teamwork, innovation, safety, and service at their best.

In less than two years, Melanie Bray has transformed Alaska DOT&PF’s PFAS Program through exceptional initiative, professionalism, and dedication. She has taken on a wide range of responsibilities, from public correspondence and master planning support to cistern project design and management of the first ARFF foam transition projects at Fairbanks and Anchorage airports. Her leadership is helping establish a statewide approach for transitioning rural airport firefighting vehicles to more environmentally responsible foam while navigating complex logistical, regulatory, and operational challenges.

Melanie coordinates effectively across all three DOT&PF regions and collaborates with partner agencies, including DEC and the Department of Law, to keep projects moving forward. She consistently goes above and beyond, managing contracts, tracking invoices, meeting deadlines, and sharing her knowledge with colleagues. Her organization, technical expertise, initiative, and commitment to results make her an invaluable member of Statewide Aviation.

Since joining Alaska DOT&PF in 2023, Brian Edinger has become an important contributor to the modernization of aviation and emergency response statewide. As UAS Program Manager for Statewide Aviation’s Remote Sensing Lab, Brian brings technical expertise, operational discipline, and a strong commitment to public service to the Department’s unmanned aircraft program.

Drawing on extensive aviation and UAS experience, Brian oversees a statewide fleet of approximately 140 aircraft, ensuring compliance with federal standards and supporting safe operations. He coordinates with the FAA on airspace requirements and manages Starlink and cellular connectivity that supports field operations in remote areas. During emergency responses, Brian has helped enable real-time video and data sharing between field teams and state and federal partners, providing critical situational awareness. Known for his integrity, teamwork, and calm approach under pressure, Brian consistently demonstrates initiative, reliability, and a dedication to improving safety and service across Alaska.

Reauthorization Program Guidance Letter 25-08 - Statewide Aviation: Troy LaRue Rebecca Douglas, Andrew Warner / Regional M&O: Daniel Phillips, Jeremy Thompson, Spencer Gates

The team of people demonstrated exceptional collaboration and persistence in supporting the development of FAA Reauthorization Program Guidance Letter (R-PGL) 25-08: Alaska and Other Non-contiguous States and Territories. Although the guidance was authored and published by the FAA, the Alaska DOT&PF team provided extensive coordination, technical input, and feedback throughout its development, helping ensure the final guidance reflected Alaska’s unique aviation needs.

They worked closely with FAA counterparts to explain Alaska-specific operational challenges, funding eligibility concerns, and airport sponsor perspectives. Their efforts strengthened communication between agencies while bringing together expertise from across DOT&PF.

Andrew Warner kept the effort organized through disciplined coordination and documentation. Troy LaRue led technical discussions and represented the State’s priorities, while Rebecca Douglas supported communication and helped align messaging and intent. Daniel Phillips, Jeremy Thompson, and Spencer Gates provided detailed field examples that supported expanded eligibility for essential equipment and annual pavement markings under the capital program.

Together, the team developed a unified, well-supported position that contributed to stronger federal guidance for Alaska. Their work demonstrates the value of teamwork, persistence, and interagency collaboration in addressing complex challenges and improving aviation infrastructure and services across the state.

Danny Johnson is an important member of the SEF Central Region team. He stepped into the District Manager role just one year ago. With limited direction at the outset, Danny embraced the challenge, learning the responsibilities in real time while ensuring district operations continued smoothly and efficiently.

Beyond managing day-to-day responsibilities, Danny consistently looks for ways to improve processes, increase efficiency, and better support his team. He brings fresh ideas and a forward-thinking approach to challenges, always looking for practical solutions. His responsiveness and dedication are evident in his willingness to assist mechanics whenever needed, including outside normal work hours and on weekends.

Danny’s adaptability and commitment have allowed him to successfully navigate the demands of a new leadership role while maintaining a strong focus on service. His willingness to take on challenges, support his team, and lead by example demonstrate professionalism, initiative, and dedication to the mission of SEF and DOT&PF.

Palmer Light Duty Shop: John Bannatyne, Tanner Moyer, Corey Franklin, Rich Horton

The Light Duty Shop in Palmer consistently demonstrates outstanding service, safety, and commitment to supporting customers. Foreman Rich Horton is responsive and dependable, regularly helping ensure vehicles receive timely service with minimal downtime while maintaining high safety standards.

On October 1, 2025, Technician Cory Franklin identified a failing driver-side tie rod while servicing a patrol vehicle. He promptly communicated the safety concern, ordered the necessary part, and completed the repair, helping ensure the vehicle was safe to operate. Cory has repeatedly demonstrated this same attention to detail, including previously identifying and replacing a worn rear brake during a routine tire change.

Rich and his team also accommodated an expedited service request for another vehicle needed for upcoming training in Anchorage. The vehicle was serviced the following morning and ready in under an hour, with the appropriate tires installed for winter conditions.

Rich, Cory, and the entire Light Duty Shop team exemplify professionalism, teamwork, and dedication. Their commitment to keeping the fleet safe, reliable, and operational is greatly appreciated.

Gill Martel consistently demonstrates exceptional leadership as a Master Mechanic Foreman, setting a strong example of professionalism, reliability, and commitment to excellence. He not only ensures the dependability of equipment but also invests in the success and development of those around him.

Through patient mentorship and hands-on training, Gill helps newer operators understand system requirements and follow manufacturer-recommended practices. His guidance helps prevent maintenance issues while building the skills, confidence, and knowledge of the entire team. Gill’s steady approach and willingness to share his expertise make him a trusted resource and role model.

His leadership extends beyond technical knowledge. Gill fosters a culture of teamwork, accountability, and pride in the work. He motivates others through his actions and consistently demonstrates the values of DOT&PF. Gill’s dedication to developing employees, supporting his team, and maintaining high standards makes him an excellent example of effective leadership.

Wade has dedicated nearly three decades to SEF and DOT&PF, consistently demonstrating professionalism, reliability, and pride in his work. He is an organized, methodical, and thorough mechanic who takes great care in maintaining the equipment entrusted to him. Wade also supports the M&O team at the Petersburg Station as an equipment operator and ARFF responder, contributing wherever he is needed.

He has a talent for solving equipment challenges and regularly goes above and beyond to keep vehicles and machinery safe, reliable, and ready for service. His efforts have helped maintain a high standard of equipment and shop operations, something frequently noticed and complimented by employees from other departments who visit the station.

Wade is dependable, hardworking, and humble, consistently putting the needs of his team and the Department first without seeking recognition. His decades of dedicated service and commitment make him highly deserving of recognition.

As one of the newest members of the team, Charlene Lind has quickly become a valued and welcomed addition. She has adapted to her new responsibilities with enthusiasm and has excelled in her role, consistently demonstrating initiative and a willingness to learn. Beyond her regular duties, she has taken on additional responsibilities and organizational projects that have helped improve the office and support her coworkers.

Charlene brings a positive attitude to the workplace and is always willing to lend a hand, even when a task falls outside her primary responsibilities. Her flexibility, teamwork, and dedication have made a noticeable impact in a short time. She is a dependable and enthusiastic team member whose contributions are greatly appreciated and who has quickly become an important part of the team.

Anchorage Light Duty Shop: Jessie Rivera, John Weinberger, Steve Cole, Perry Copeland, Israel Reed, Typer Phillips, Noah Hamre, Evan Cole, Tim Quarnstrom, Mike White

These folks are truly a delight to work with. Every member is knowledgeable, kind, welcoming, and committed to providing excellent service. They are always willing to share their expertise, provide helpful information, and answer questions. They do so with patience, encouragement, and genuine appreciation for the customers they serve.

Despite the demands and responsibilities of their busy roles, theyconsistently make time to assist others. Their willingness to collaborate, offer guidance, and support coworkers and partners has made a meaningful difference across the region, which is an understatement. They approach their work with professionalism and positive attitudes, creating an environment where people feel comfortable asking for assistance and confident that they will receive thoughtful and dependable support.

This team’s dedication extends beyond simply completing their daily responsibilities. Their commitment to helping others, sharing knowledge, and providing outstanding service reflects the very best qualities of teamwork and public service.

Their professionalism, generosity, patience, and kindness deserve recognition. They are a valued resource and an outstanding team to work with.