2019 AMA Honors
Jim Clark, AMA Advocate of the Year Jim Clark was honored as the 2019 Advocate of the Year for his many years of work to open up Southeast Alaska to resource development. Here’s how we described his contributions at the award banquet. “There’s a little piece of land in Southeast Alaska that few people of heard of and doesn’t get a lot of attention. It’s called the Tongass National Forest. Despite its relatively unknown existence, throughout the 1900s it was a fantastic place to work and play and supported responsible resource industries, vibrant communities and healthy economies. “For the past two decades it’s been supported by irresponsible activism, unnecessary overuse of environmental protection and overregulation. A decision by the Clinton administration to include the Tongass in Roadless Rule protection all but shut down logging and the businesses, communities and families it supported and made it incredibly difficult to pursue resource projects. Varina Zinno, AMA Volunteer of the Year In an organization dependent on strong volunteer support, Varina Zinno stands out as going far above and beyond in her service to AMA, and is honored as our 2019 Volunteer of the Year. Convention chairman Kevin Adler Committee a few years ago. At her first meeting, she dove right in with ideas on how to make a Core Shack similar to ones seen at larger Conventions, but Alaska-style. She began recruiting Core Shack participants and right off the bat, her efforts outgrew the space and time the Convention Committee had designated based on a first- year assumption. “I think it was about three days after the conclusion of that Convention that she emailed the Committee and asked for more days and more space the following year, and boy did she deliver. Not only did she sell out the Core Shack, but she added a Prospector’s Tent and sold that out too. That year, as the Convention neared, she came up with creative networking opportunities and all of a sudden, it was the place to be during the Convention, with sponsored beverages, music, and big smiles all around. presented the award to her with this insight: “Varina became active on the AMA Convention “It was no surprise that this year, she continued on her success and answered member requests with the addition of the ClaimPost. She again increased the size and participant number in the Core Shack, Prospector’s Tent, and added with the ClaimPost, these features
“During the 2000s, efforts to continue protecting the Tongass opposed to those who would responsibly use it has resulted in appeals, repeals, executive orders, proposals, Records of Decision, indecision, commentary, opinion and litigation. “Throughout, one man has been heavily involved in the processes and ridiculousnesses, he has used his vast network across a range of stakeholders (political, industrial, environmental, legal) to make it understood a healthy Tongass National Forest also means healthy resource development within its boundaries. “What often seemed like a losing battle, and one in which this man took a not insignificant amount of abuse, many of us got to the point of rolling our eyes or shrugging out shoulders in a “what are you gonna do” attitude towards any kind of resolution. However, this year, in a series of actions and political support, the Tongass National Forest stands poised to receive an Alaska-specific, full exemption from the Roadless Rule under the direction of President Trump.” continue to be a huge draw on our trade show floor. “Minor little detail – this year she did all of this in her slivers of spare time while being out in the field with little to no internet or phone connectivity all season long. “But wait – I’m not done. Even having her hands full and then some, she brainstormed what she felt was an imperative and overlooked subject of all aspects of safety in our industry, and put together the safety panel discussion held at the theme technical session. Varina’s energy is contagious, her passion heartwarming, and hard work so appreciated, and she is a great choice for AMA Volunteer of the Year. Varina Zinno receives the Volunteer of the Year Award from convention Chairman Kevin Adler.
www.alaskaminers.org I The Alaska Miner I December 2019
15
Made with FlippingBook. PDF to flipbook with ease