A Message from the Executive Director
Dear AMA Members and Friends, This is such an amazing season for us, filled with hard work, activities, and memories. There are the holidays to celebrate and time to be thankful for our many blessings. But first, there’s the joy and satisfaction of another great Annual Convention in the books. And after, there’s the reality that in a just a month, we will start another year in the neverending adventure of Alaska mining! First the thanks: I am incredibly thankful for the more than 1,300 miners and support companies who attended the convention, another new record! We’re so appreciative for the 156 companies who exhibited at our sold-out trade show, an event so popular we got to add booths to the lobby! Our convention would not be possible if it weren’t for the generous support from our vendors and sponsors. People wouldn’t be interested in the event if we didn’t have great speakers and presentations arranged by talented session chairs, fun events attended by fun people, and interactive experiences that we are all a part of. Support of the AMA Convention not only helps us put on a fantastic event, but it is one of our largest fundraisers, meaning, support helps sustain our year-round mission. Our comments and testimony, Action Alerts, advocacy events like Alaska Mining Day, Alaska Night at Roundup, Juneau Mining Forum, and the dozens of presentations given throughout the year, our social media presence, and so on. Your generosity ensures we can advocate for Alaska’s
Cannon, Doug Kriner, Wescott Bott, Dave Hedderly-Smith, Tom Bundtzen, Wendie MacNaughton and Lisa Cassino. This talented group spends hours and hours planning, reviewing, arranging, and perfecting our amazing event. I know you are thankful for their efforts, too. I also want to point out our contractors who annually join our team and understand the mining family: Christy Andresen with Logistics, Brian Bayless at IMIG, Joe and Debra from Alaska Event Services, Malia that does all of our graphic design, MAPTS for doing MSHA refreshers, PIP Printing — and so many more! This time of year and always, I am so thankful for the AMA Staff. Jennifer, Carin and Darlene. They truly make AMA go and make the organization look good every day, and especially convention week. We care about what you think! If you haven’t done so already, please respond to our convention survey, to let us know what we can do better for 2025. Again, thank you, from the bottom of my heart for your role in maing our Convention a success, and your involvement in AMA all year long. I wish you and yours a Happy Thanksgiving and upcoming holidays, and look forward to celebrating with you soon and in 2025!
Deantha did not win the rock fight!
mining industry, and we couldn’t be more grateful. If you attended, you know it’s impossible to see and do and take in all of the biggest week in Alaska mining. There was so much to share from that incredible convention that there isn’t room in this month’s journal! So, watch for much more in the winter issue of The Alaska Miner magazine and the December issue of this journal. Elsewhere in this Journal you’ll see some of the highlights, including our 2024 AMA Rock Stars of Alaska’s Mining Industry awardees. Thankful is an understatement when it comes to our incredible convention committee and our amazing team of volunteers: Kevin Adler, Steve Teller, Sue Karl, Zoom Szumigala, Traci Hartz, Raesha Hartz, Vanessa Larimer, Bonnie Broman, Miles McDonald, Varina Zinno, Eric
Deantha Skibinski, Executive Director
Executive Board Lorali Simon, President Blake Bogart, First Vice President Houston Morris, Second Vice President Kim Aasand, Treasurer Follow us anytime: Online at AlaskaMiners.org Like us on Facebook at Alaska Miners Association Follow us on Twitter @alaskaminers Follow us on Instagram @alaska.miners
Branch Chairmen Ted Hawley, Anchorage Ethan Trickey, Denali Dave Larimer, Fairbanks Jan Hill, Haines Jason Hart, Juneau Houston Morris, Kenai Ken Hughes, Nome Robert Fithian, Ketchikan/Prince of Wales
The Alaska Miner is the official journal of the Alaska Miners Association, published eight times a year exclusively to our members. It is published in partnership with the Alaska Miners Association by Fireweed Strategies LLC, 4849 Potter Crest Circle, Anchorage, AK 99516. We actively seek contributions from our members and the mining industry. Please email story ideas and photos to Lee Leschper. Advertising Rates and New Tips For advertising information, or to submit news, story ideas and photos, call or email Lee Leschper at 907-957-6025 or Lee.Leschper@FireweedStrategies.com
Committee Chairmen Kevin Adler, Convention
Alaska Miners Association Staff Deantha Skibinski, Executive Director
Mike Satre and JP Tangen, Federal Oversight Blake Bogart and Dave Larimer, State Oversight
Jennifer Luiten, Membership and Fundraising Director Carin Currier, Projects & Communications Manager Darlene Strickland, Bookkeeper/Membership
www.alaskaminers.org I The Alaska Miner I November 2024
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