A Message from the Executive Director
Dear Members, I think all of us are still coming down from the positive and high energy that was at this year’s convention: without question, our most successful in our organization’s history. There’s no reason to exaggerate: The Trade Show was sold out weeks before the convention. Our sponsorships hit a record, and our attendance soared well over 1,000. Recapping the week in this Journal gives me goosebumps all over again, and I hope that you too are proud of the event as you flip through these pages and review our success. Months of planning, and a few days of thinking on our feet, and just like that, it’s over. And there is so much credit deserved by our Committee volunteers, who spent months brainstorming, inviting, preparing, and implementing to bring our entire industry together for a week. Chairman Kevin Adler leads a good team including Program Chair, Steve Teller, who led us from the Donlin Camp the entire time; Varina Zinno who continued to improve the already phenomenal Core Shack and Prospectors Tent, and put together a safety session as well (no wonder she won Volunteer of the Year!); Sue Karl and Chris Stevens who put together two wildly successful short courses; Traci and Raesha Hartz for making our banquet absolutely beautiful; Traci and Michelle Pearson for making the app that makes our week easier; Wescott Bott for building sessions, contributing ideas and extending invitations, and always there to help; Tom Bundtzen who put on a fantastic History Night program; Eric Cannon who managed our Poster Session; our Session Chairs Joe Kurtak, Karen Matthias, Curt Freeman, Tathagata Ghosh, Jill Ladegard, Dave Hedderly-Smith, Ron Rimelman and Casey Burns, Mike Satre, and Jim Coxon; and Brian Bayless for ensuring our technical needs were always met and no error was ever made public! Last but certainly not least, Christy Andresen handled registration and exhibitor arrangements leading up to the event, and her expertise in event management has made us a lot better. And, while I know we get paid to do so, I would be remiss in not recognizing the AMA for their significant efforts in ensuring the Convention goes without
a snag. Jennifer, Laci, and Darlene are talented people and they love working with AMA members, and we are truly blessed to have them on the team. And most of all, I want to thank all of you, for your significant contributions to AMA year-round. It is no more apparent than at the Annual Convention when many of you leave your homes for an entire week, set up exhibit booths, compile presentations, sign sponsorship checks, provide volunteer support, bring colleagues, employees, and friends, and so much more. The Annual Convention is what provides for our ability to carry out the Alaska Miner mission, promoting responsible mineral development in Alaska. Your participation and support ensure that mission can be met, and I can speak on behalf of the entire Board of Directors in thanking you. Again, thank you, for what all of you do to support the organization, the industry and each other. Merry Christmas, and I am so excited for what 2020 has to bring!
Deantha Crockett Executive Director
Executive Board Bill Jeffress, President, SRK Consulting, Anchorage Bartly Kleven, First Vice President, Kinross-Fort Knox, Fairbanks Lorali Simon, Second Vice President, Usibelli Coal Mine Kim Aasand, Treasurer, Aasand & Glore LLC, Anchorage Branch Chairmen Ted Hawley, Anchorage Lorali Simon, Denali Mark Huffington, Fairbanks
Committee Chairmen Kevin Adler, Convention Howard Grey and JP Tangen, Federal Oversight Steve Grabacki, Fisheries Meg Smith, HR/Workforce Development Paul Glavinovich, State Oversight Follow us anytime: Online at AlaskaMiners.org Like us on Facebook at Alaska Miners Association Follow us on Twitter @alaskaminers
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 Alaska Miners Association Staff Deantha Crockett, Executive Director Jennifer Luiten, Membership and Fundraising Director Laci Michaud, Projects Manager Darlene Strickland, Bookkeeper/Membership
On The Cover: Numerous awards were handed out at the 2019 Convention. Jerry and Bev Harmon received the Chuck Hawley Lifetime Achievement Award from Ted Hawley.
Liz Cornejo, Haines Jim Clark, Juneau
Houston Morris, Kenai Blake Bogart, Nome Andrew Spokely, Ketchikan/Prince of Wales
www.alaskaminers.org I The Alaska Miner I December 2019
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