AMA Board Members: Anchorage
mineral examiner for BLM. In 1992 Victor left BLM to join the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Regulato - ry Division. He was a PM and a supervi - sor for USACE 20 years. During his time with USACE he spent 19 months as a civilian volunteer in Afghanistan. In 2012, Victor joined Michael Baker International where his environmental team specialized in Waters of the United States delineations, Clean Water Act 404 permits, and baseline data collection. In 2019 Victor joined Stantec Con - sulting. His team has worked on Clean Water Act 404 permits and WOTUS delineations including wetlands on mineral projects in Alaska. Victor has specialized training and experience in mining law, NEPA, wetlands, 404 CWA regulations, Least Environmentally Damaging Practical Al- ternatives analysis, WOTUS jurisdiction, mine development, and Alaska mine permitting. Victor was elected to the Alaska Miners Association (AMA) Anchorage Directors in 2019 and reelected in 2021. Victor was appointed to the Alaska Mineral Commission by Alaska Governor Dunleavy in 2020. John Shively John Shively came to Alaska in 1965 as a VISTA Volunteer. He has worked for a number of Native organizations in - cluding the Alaska Federation of Natives and NANA. While at NANA he worked on
resource and is honored to serve as a director for the AMA. Alycia is active in her community, both donating and volunteering her time with various local non-profit organizations, as well as participating in community events. She enjoys camping, fishing, hiking, and gardening. She graduated from UAA with a B.A. in Justice and lives in Chugiak with her husband and their two children. Kevin Torpy Kevin Torpy is Vice President, Oper- ations for Ambler Metals. He is a min - ing engineer with extensive experience developing, building, and operating mines in remote, northern locations, including the Kens- and operational startup phases. Prior to join- ing Ambler, Kevin oversaw the restructuring of the Empire State Mine in New York. His other experience includes a shaft sinking project in Wyoming and several feasibility projects in Mexico, Argenti- na, and Peru. Kevin lives in Anchorage with his wife, Jennifer, and two children. Sarah Erkmann Ward Sarah Erkmann Ward, APR, is the president of Blueprint Alaska, the state’s premier public affairs and strategic communications firm. She and her team work tirelessly for clients ington and Pogo Mines in Alaska. He was Gener - al Manager of the Brucejack Mine in British Columbia during its explora- tion, construction, KEVIN TORPY
Tisha Kuhns Tisha Kuhns was appointed Vice President of Land and Natural Resources in 2019 after serving for three years as a geologist in Calista’s Land and Natural Resources Department. Before joining Calista, she worked for 12 years with the
Donlin Gold Project in geology and wa- ter quality baseline management. At Calista, Tisha is responsible for the management of Calista land and natural resources to achieve Calista Corporation’s goals of financial suc - cess. She provides
TISHA KUHNS
technical advice concerning economic minerals, land issues and coordination with industry and government agencies. Tisha is a Calista Shareholder born and raised in Bethel and Homer, Alaska. She earned her BS in Geology from Southern Oregon University in Ashland, Oregon. Tisha currently serves on the gover- nor-appointed Alaska Minerals Com - mission and the Alaska Miners Associa- tion’s Board of Directors and is pursuing a graduate certificate in Alaska Native Executive Leadership at Alaska Pacif- ic University. In 2021, she was named a Native American 40 Under 40 by the National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development. Victor Ross Victor lives in Wasilla with his lovely wife Judy. We have our house, barn, and 20 acres. The family includes two Corgis (Tundra and Toots) as house pets. Out back are the kids - two Mis- souri Foxtrotting Horses - Topaz and
the development of the Red Dog Mine. He has also served two stints in gov- ernment including holding the position of Commissioner of Natural Resourc - es. He is currently on the boards of directors of the Resource Develop - ment Council, the
Tiger Lily. We have been at our ranch- ette since 1994. In our spare time we repair fences, barns, move hay, groom horses, and manage manure. At home I am the manure engineer. Manure is composted and used to fertilize fields
whose work takes place in the public square, including mining compa- nies and resource development advocacy organi- zations, among others. Blueprint Alaska’s areas of expertise include media relations, crisis communica- tions, advocacy and
JOHN SHIVELY
Council of Alaska producers and the Alaska Railroad. John is currently the CEO and Chairman of the Board for the Pebble project. Alycia Thomas Alycia Thomas is the Program Im- plementation and Marketing Manager for the Camp Services division of NMS. Alycia has lived in Alaska for more
VICTOR ROSS
SARAH ERKMANN WARD
that the horses visit in the summer. We enjoy traveling in Alaska with the family to see our great state. Victor has a Bachelor of Science degree in Mining Engineering from the University of Alaska, Fairbanks, 1979. Starting in 1979 Victor joined the Bureau of Land Management working in Fairbanks, Alaska; and then Tonopah, Nevada. For 13 years he worked on Re - source Management Plans, mineral ma- terial sales, mineral in character exams, patents, Plans of Operation, and 43 CFR 3809 compliance. Victor was a certified
coalition building, ghostwriting, and strategic counsel. Sarah is a lifelong Alaskan, married to Jason Ward, and mom to three children, a Black Lab, and two parakeets. She is accredited in public relations by the Public Relations Society of America.
than 25 years and recognizes min- ing as a critical industry for our state. She believes there is significant value in increasing public awareness about the benefits of this valuable
ALYCIA THOMAS
25
Winter 2022
The Alaska Miner
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