Andy Varner (Chair), Executive Director, Southwest Alaska Municipal Conference
Andy Varner has worked at the Southwest Alaska Municipal Conference (SWAMC) since 2005, taking on the role of Executive Director in 2010. SWAMC is one of twelve Alaska Regional Development Organizations in the state, and is also a federally designated economic development district. SWAMC provides technical assistance, policy advocacy, and small business training to the residents of Southwest Alaska. Varner originally ventured to Alaska as a VISTA, serving as Economic Development Coordinator for the City of Kenai. He has a B.S. in marketing from the University of Missouri and a Master of Public Administration degree from the University of Alaska Anchorage.
Varner became involved with AKSourceLink because he recognizes the value and practicality the network provides for Alaska’s budding entrepreneurs and innovators across the state.
Wanetta Ayers, Economic Development Director, State of Alaska
Wanetta recently joined the Alaska Office of Economic Development, where she is responsible for overseeing the state's economic development efforts. She formerly served as executive director of the Western Alaska Community Development Association, the governing panel for the Western Alaska Community Development Quota (CDQ) program. Ayers has worked in community and economic development for more than twenty-five years. She received an MBA from the University of Washington and earned a BBA from the University of Alaska Fairbanks. "AKSourceLink helps to bridge the urban-rural divide, illustrate the interdependencies of our most far-flung communities, and opens the door to support growing businesses that result from self-reliance, ingenuity and hard work.”
Christi Bell, Director, University of Alaska Center for Economic Development
As the director of UACED, Christi Bell provides technical assistance to community-based organizations engaged in economic development activities throughout Alaska. She holds a Master of Business degree and a Master of Science degree in Resource Management, both from the University of Alaska Fairbanks. Prior to joining UACED Bell was a principal of a privately held consulting firm, Aurora Consulting. Before that she worked for Alaska Village Initiatives and the Southwest Alaska Municipal Conference. In her work, Bell has been responsible for issue identification, economic analysis and planning, and business counseling and development. "AKSourceLink has provided an opportunity for economic development professionals and organizations across the state to collaborate on a shared vision - increasing access to vital entrepreneurship and small business resources and resources providers."
Carl Berger, Executive Director, Lower Kuskokwim Economic Development Council
Carl Berger has served as the staff person for the Lower Kuskokwim Economic Development Council since its formation in 1991 as an Alaska Regional Development Organization (ARDOR). He has worked in community and economic development throughout rural Alaska for more than 25 years. Berger holds a Bachelor's degree in Economics from California State University at Sacramento.
Dr. Kathryn Dodge, Economic Development Specialist, Fairbanks North Star Borough
Dr. Dodge is a member of the Fairbanks North Star Borough (FNSB) Mayor’s executive team and FNSB Alaska Regional Development Organization Director. She has worked in regional economic development for six years. During this time she has maintained the FNSB Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy, developed understandable economic data on the FNSB, managed various economic development projects, and participated as a senior partner in many joint local, regional and state economic development projects.
Dr. Dodge publishes a quarterly analysis of the Fairbanks area economic condition and outlook. She has a Ph.D. in Human and Organizational Systems, an MA in Human Development and Organizational Design and Effectiveness, and a BA in Organizational Management.
FNSB joined the AK SourceLink network and participates in the executive committee because "we recognize that supporting small business development and entrepreneurs is critical to a developing a healthy, sustainable Alaskan economy."
Pearl Mikulski, Vice President of Community Services Division, Kawerak, Inc.
Pearl Mikulski is the Vice President of the Community Services Division and Acting Program Director for the Community Planning and Development Department. She graduated with a bachelor's degree in rural development from the University of Alaska Fairbanks-Northwest Campus in 1996 and is currently pursuing a master's degree in rural development. The Community Services Division assists 20 Tribes in 16 communities in the Bering Strait with tribal and community support in the areas of law enforcement, tribal capacity building, and community and economic development. As the former Economic Development Planner at Kawerak, Mikulski was responsible for working with tribes and communities on long-range planning issues. She helped develop small business ideas and provide technical assistance in economic development. She served as support staff to the regional planning board which serves as a state ARDOR organization. Mikulski also ran her own computer repair business for several years.
Charles Parker, President/CEO, Alaska Village Initiatives
Originally from Nome, Charles Parker has family ties to Point Hope and Kotzebue. After graduating from West Valley High School in Fairbanks, he went on to Dartmouth College. Parker has lived and worked in Economic Development in many areas around the state, working primarily with non-profits, regional organizations, and tribes. Parker serves as President of the Mat-Su Community Transit (MASCOT) Board, Treasurer of the Houston Chamber of Commerce Board, and Vice-Chairman of the Alaska Chapter of Sportsmen for Fish and Wildlife.