Board of Directors

Corey Baxter
President
Operating Engineers Local 302 Union for Southeast Alaska
Corey is a 4th generation Juneauite, 28-year member and District Representative for the Operating Engineers Local 302 Union for Southeast Alaska.

Ben Brown
Past President
Attorney at Law
Ben is a born and raised Alaskan. He is an Attorney at Law and the Development Director at Perseverance Theatre. Ben has also been a member of the Alaska Bar Association since 2002.

Alec Mesdag
President Elect
AEL&P
Alec is the President and CEO of Alaska Electric Light & Power Co. He grew up in Juneau, Alaska and is a graduate of Juneau-Douglas High School and Oregon State University. Alec and his wife stay busy caring for their three children, two cats, one dog, and a million or so oysters.

Jodi Garza
Secretary
Alaska Seaplanes
Jodi was raised on Prince of Wales Island and has lived in Juneau for 14 years. She has been the CAO for Alaska Seaplanes for 10 years. Jodi has three kids and has been married for 23 years to her wonderful husband.

Mark Mesdag
Treasurer
Elgee Rehfeld, LLC
Mark was born and raised in Juneau, Alaska where he has now practiced as a CPA for over 15 years at Elgee Rehfeld. He serves a wide variety of clients across multiple industries. He is married to his lovely wife and is father to two beautiful daughters.

John Blasco
Board Member
Anchorage Distillery
John is the CEO of Anchorage Distillery. John was the boys basketball head coach at TMHS. He is also a husband and the father of two.

Ray Thibodeau
Board Member
Alaska Marine Lines
Ray is a 3rd generation Juneauite. He started his career with Alaska Marine Line in October of 1990. He is married to Anne and is a father of 4.

Angie Nolan
Board Member
Alaska Unlimited Realty

Sara Race
Board Member
Alaska Business Partner- Gartner
Sara is a business partner for Gartner and has a Bachelor’s Degree in Management from Arizona State University.

Laura McDonnell
Board Member
Caribou Crossings
Laura is a lifelong Juneauite and business owner of Caribou Crossings. Laura earned her undergraduate and graduate degrees in Management and Business Administration from the University of Alaska

Drew Green
Board Member
CLAA
Andrew has called Juneau, Alaska home for over 35 years, is married to Tania and has two boys. He has worked in the maritime industry in Southeast Alaska for over three decades, mostly in Juneau as Port Director. Andrew prides himself by being heavily involved in the Juneau Community.

Marc Guevarra
Board Member
First National Bank of AK
Marc has worked in the banking industry in Alaska since 2001. He has spent the majority of his banking career in Juneau, originally moving here in 2004. Marc holds a BBA Accounting degree from the University of Alaska Anchorage.

Aparna Palmer
Board Member
University of AK-SE
Dr. Aparna D.-N. Palmer is the Chancellor of the University of Alaska Southeast. She has over 25 years of experience in postsecondary education, having been a Professor of Biology and Assistant Vice President at Colorado Mesa University, and Vice President at Front Range Community College. She holds a B.S. in Biology, a B.A. in English, and a Ph.D. in Zoology and is trained as a marine biologist.

Eric Forst
Board Member
Red Dog Saloon

Chelsea Flint
Board Member
Helca Greens Creek Mining Company
Chelsea Flint is the Community Relations & Engagement Specialist at Hecla Greens Creek Mining Company in Juneau, Alaska. Chelsea is a proud third-generation Juneauite and has a background spanning several sectors including tourism, transportation, recreation, and the mining industry.