A Message from the Executive Director
Dear AMA Members and Friends, This is such an amazing season for us, so filled with activities, gifts and memories. First there are the holidays to celebrate and to be thankful for our many blessings. Then there’s the joy and satisfaction of another great Anchorage annual convention in the books! First the thanks … I am incredibly thankful for the miners and support companies who attended the convention, Critical Mining for these Critical Times, in November. We had over 1,300 attendees, 90 sponsors and 156 exhibitors. It was an event so popular we added booths to the lobby! If you attended, you know it’s impossible to see and do and take in all of this 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! Elsewhere in this Journal you’ll see some of the highlights, including our 2024 AMA Award Honorees. I cannot thank enough our amazing Convention Committee of Kevin Adler, Steve Teller, Sue Karl, Zoom Szumigala, Traci Hartz, Raesha Hartz, Vanessa Larimer, Bonnie Broman, Miles McDonald, Varina Zinno, Eric 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’m thankful as well for our incredible team of volunteers, speakers, and presenters, and for our new board
Thank you to the legislators and staff who joined us at our final AMA Anchorage branch meeting of the year! We are looking forward to working with the 34th Alaska legislature on issues facing Alaska’s miners.
of directors who took office at the convention and for the next two years. Their dedication and guidance are critical to our success. I am also thrilled to share that at our Annual Meeting of the Board of Directors during Convention week, the following individuals were nominated and confirmed to be Directors Emeritus of AMA: Jim Clark, Curt Freeman, Bill Jeffress, David Manzer, Jeanine Schmidt and Don Stevens. I am looking forward to having their continuous involvement guiding our Association. As we move into 2025, there are important dates to keep on your calendar: n The first Statewide Zoom of 2025 starts Jan. 17, and in-person meetings will resume before or around then. n The Juneau Mining Forum will be held Tuesday, Feb. 25 at the Baranof Hotel (and our joint legislative reception will be held that evening). More info coming in the new year!
n It’s also never too early to look ahead to the next Convention! The 2025 AMA Annual Convention and Trade Show will be held Nov. 3-6, 2025 at the Dena’ina Center in Anchorage. In addition, please contact Publisher Lee Leschper for advertising in the Alaska Miners Handbook and Service Directory (and our Journal and Alaska Miner Magazine) at Lee.Leschper@ FireweedStrategies.com. Also, contact Darlene Strickland (darlene@alaskaminers.org) for updates to your listings as well as renewing your membership (remember only current members are included)! Please have a safe Merry Christmas and joyous New Year in 2025!
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 December 2024
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