MEET THE TEAM

ALYSSA RODRIGUES, Ph.D.
Director, The Alaska MEP

Dr. Alyssa Rodrigues has over a decade of experience with Alaska's economy as a research economist and economic developer. In her most recent role as the Development Manager for the State of Alaska, she managed the implementation of the Statewide Comprehensive Development Strategy. Dr. Rodrigues has a BA in Forest Management and a Masters in Forest Economics from Oregon State University and a Ph.D. in Natural Resource Economics from the University of Alaska Fairbanks.

Dr. Rodrigues wants to be a resource for manufacturers to improve their businesses; whether that be decreasing costs, increasing sales or providing classes for manufacturers to work internally with a group to problem-solve and relate to one another. She is excited to partner across the state to tackle challenges and capitalize on opportunities in Alaska's manufacturing industry.

Kassim Kurani
Associate Director, The Alaska MEP

Kassim graduated from Washington State University with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and a minor in Economics. His background includes working as a Director ofOperations for Kurani Inc. since 1997, where he served as an operator for Pizza Hut of Alaska from 2008-2018. During his tenure, he made significant contributions to the business's success, from marketing to asset development.

His passion for coaching and leadership were demonstrated in his previous role as a Personal Trainer for Carlo's Crew/Fitness Redefined from 2018-2023. He developed and implemented training programs for clients based on their desired goals, ensuring proper progression from their current fitness level. Kassim also worked as an Investment Advisor Representative for New York Life/Eagle Strategies from 2020-2022. In this role, he helped clients understand their investing options and guided them to make the best long-term strategic plans available. Kassim has always embraced his role as a Fiduciary and put his clients' best interests first.

His expertise in business planning, financial knowledge, and exceptional leadership skills will be an asset to our organization as we continue toward our mission to advance the manufacturing industry in Alaska.

SAMI JO LEWIS
Communication and Outreach Manager

Born and raised in Palmer, Sami Jo graduated from Northern Arizona University with a bachelor’s degree in strategic communications and a double minor in journalism and criminal justice. After graduation, she honed her client management skills as an account coordinator for a local public relations agency before joining the Alaska MEP team.

Sami Jo plays a vital role in assisting local manufacturers to improve their business, decrease costs, increase sales, and build relationships to help advance Alaska’s manufacturing industry. She is eager to utilize her experience in strategic communications and public relations to assist in developing the MEP to grow and diversify Alaska’s economy.

Payton Bennett
Client Research Professional

Raised in Fairbanks, Payton completed her bachelor’s degree in Accounting at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. She started at the Alaska MEP as a research assistant for a statewide manufacturing survey that aimed to assess the specific needs of manufacturers across the state and has remained on the team as a student intern.

With a passion for all things local and business, she is eager to assist Alaska’s manufacturers with any challenges they face. She accomplishes this by facilitating connections across the state, connecting manufacturers with specific Alaska MEP courses, and designing resource sheets to make their busy lives easier. Payton cares about the small business community in Alaska and aspires to make an impact by supporting the manufacturing community across the state.

Bentley Hamilton
Business Development Manager, The Alaska MEP

Bentley has a wealth of experience in personnel, contractor, and performance management, and has demonstrated critical thinking and problem-solving skills in effectively resolving customer experience challenges. In his role at Odom Corp, Bentley managed numerous, highly confidential details for national chains Kroger, Safeway, and Walmart. He also built trust with clients and increased sales while overcoming distribution shortcomings and detailing delivery schedules from start to finish. Prior to this, Hamilton spent seven years at Ferguson Enterprises, where he closed new client opportunities, managed existing client performance, and built and promoted strong, long-lasting customer relationships.

In his role as Business Development Manager, Bentley will be responsible for driving growth and increasing revenue for Alaska MEP clients. Additionally, he will work to develop and implement effective sales strategies that meet the needs of makers and manufacturers across the state.

Bentley is passionate about providing exceptional customer service, and will work to ensure that clients receive the highest level of service possible.

Megan Militello
Supply Chain Optimization Manager, The Alaska MEP

Megan brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in supply chain management and manufacturing optimization to the Alaska MEP team. Armed with a rich tapestry of experience from serving in the military as an Air Traffic Controller, founding and managing Elevated Oats, and more, she has a proven track record of elevating operational efficiencies and fostering business growth.

Megan's passion for supporting the Alaskan manufacturing community shines through her dedicated efforts to solve complex challenges and strengthen the connection of our National supply chain. Megan's strategic approach and collaborative spirit make her an invaluable asset to both the team and the broader manufacturing sector in Alaska.

PARTNERSHIPS

The Alaska MEP Center draws significant support from being housed within the UAA Business Enterprise Institute (BEI). This is a natural fit as the BEI was established specifically to link and align the business and economic development serving programs across the University of Alaska statewide system and carries a mission of growing and diversifying Alaska’s business economy. While Anchorage-based, the existing programs of the UAA BEI already serve all of Alaska with the UAA BEI having satellite offices in Fairbanks, Homer, Soldotna, Seward, Mat-Su, Juneau and Ketchikan via our Small Business Development Center (SBDC) and Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) programs.

The BEI already serves over 100 of Alaska’s 586 manufacturers across the state via programs such as the Alaska Small Business Development Center, the Alaska Procurement Technical Assistance Center, the EDA University Center for Economic Development (CED), the Alaska Center for Rural Collaboration, and the Alaska Cooperative Development Center. This partnership enables Alaska MEP Center clients the ability to move more seamlessly among service providers, as well as leverage embedded BEI expertise with Agile Strategy deployment, Design Thinking, and Lean Startup Methodology. These tools will be an asset to manufacturers through a focus on iterative processes of improvement, strategy execution, and human-centered design.

The MEP National Network is a unique public-private partnership that delivers comprehensive, proven solutions to U.S. manufacturers, fueling growth and advancing U.S. manufacturing. Focused on helping small and mid-sized manufacturers generate business results and thrive in today’s technology-driven economy.

The MEP National Network comprises the National Institute of Standards and Technology’s Manufacturing Extension Partnership (NIST MEP), 51 MEP Centers located in all 50 states and Puerto Rico, and its 1,300 trusted advisers and experts at nearly 600 MEP service locations, providing any U.S. manufacturer with access to resources they need to succeed.

Today, Northrim has matured from a small community bank with 21 employees, one branch, and $8 million in assets to an active, engaged community leader with well over 400 employees, branches from Fairbanks to Southeast Alaska, residential mortgage origination offices across the state, and more than $2 billion in assets.

For more than 25 years, Northrim Bank has embraced the community above all else, making strategic investments and meaningful contributions to the local economy. From school programs to community development and local nonprofit organizations, they dedicate their time, talent and dollars to improving economic vitality and quality of life in Alaska.

Meet the Alaska MEP Advisory Board

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Our board is comprised of community members all dedicated to supporting and improving the manufacturing industry in Alaska.

Ben Kellie
Board Chair
Founder, The Launch Company

Ben Kellie is founder of The Launch Company, an aerospace company based in Anchorage, Alaska that provides standardized hardware and launch services to New Space rocket companies. He was born and raised in Alaska and grew up flying with his family to deliver groceries, fuel, and other supplies to off-road communities across the state. Crossing remote expanses of the state and spending time with the people who make it their home gave Ben a deep appreciation for this land and way of life. Being scrappy, resilient, and generous are all core values developed from that time and carried forward today.

As part of the MEP, Ben hopes to focus on developing Alaskan manufacturing with a focus on in-state resiliency, last mile logistics, and export of high-value creations that make the most of Alaskan ingenuity.

CHRISTI BELL
Executive Director, UAA Business Enterprise Institute

Christi Bell leads the University’s economic development suite of programs, plans the engagement of BEI, and manages the center’s personnel and budgets. Over the years, Ms. Bell has provided leadership to technical assistance activities throughout Alaska including: Business Retention and Expansion, Cluster Development, Local Grown, as well as Tourism Planning and Marketing initiatives for communities that are predominantly small remote, rural and strong in indigenous leadership.

Beth Barnes
Alaska Communications

Beth Barnes is a seasoned executive known for her proficiency in delivering exceptional results across sales, marketing, and research/analytics domains. With a track record of success in crafting and executing effective marketing strategies for diverse client segments, Beth excels in overseeing profit and loss in multi-million-dollar markets and leading comprehensive marketing initiatives for high-revenue enterprises. Her expertise extends to shaping customer experience across organizations and conducting competitive analysis and market research. As a Board Member of the Alaska MEP, Beth leverages her analytical skills to provide data-driven insights and recommendations that support marketing, sales, and operations.

David Eisenberg
Consultant, Mediator, Business Advisor, and Investor

David C. Eisenberg consults and mediates across a wide range of disciplines drawing upon thirty-plus years of negotiation and management of complex business environments. He has served in key senior executive positions including Chief Revenue Officer for Alaska Communications and VP Corporate Strategy/Strategic Marketing Planning for Sprint Corporation. David’s advisory practice focuses on strategy, development, process improvement and marketing. David and his wife, Karen, are active investors in areas ranging from coffee manufacturing to community banking.

Stacey Dean
GC Handrail

Stacey Dean, owner of GC Handrails, brings expertise in manufacturing DIY cable handrails to the Alaska MEP board. With a commitment to quality and innovation, GC Handrails provides customizable solutions for homeowners and contractors. Stacey's leadership enhances the board's mission of supporting local manufacturing and fostering growth in the community.

Chelsea Goucher
Foraged & Found

Chelsea Goucher serves as the COO and Sales Director of Foraged & Found, a company committed to ethically sourcing wild-foraged Alaskan Superfoods. With expertise in herbalism and a strong passion for sustainability, Chelsea ensures the company's products meet the highest ethical and quality standards.Chelsea is a dedicated Board Member of the Alaska MEP, where she leverages her experience to support the local manufacturing industry.

STEVEN PATIN
First National Bank of Alaska

Steve Patin is Senior Vice President and Human Resources Director of First National Bank Alaska, with over two decades of U.S. Army service and a decade of executive experience. As Human Resources Director, he leads talent management, compensation, and employee relations for over 600 employees, contributing to his company's eight-year streak as Alaska's Best Place to Work. Steve holds a Bachelor of Science from West Point and advanced degrees in human resources management and business administration. His leadership and expertise enhance the Alaska MEP's mission of supporting local manufacturing.

Bryce Wrigley
Alaska Flour

Bryce Wrigley, owner of Alaska Flour, stands at the forefront of Alaska's agricultural landscape. Since 2017, Alaska Flour has been synonymous with quality, locally sourced flour, a testament to Bryce's dedication to farming and milling. His commitment to sustainability and community shines through Alaska Flour's mission. As a Board Member of the Alaska MEP, Bryce leverages his expertise to bolster the local manufacturing industry, advocating for innovation and growth.

Ben Millstein
Kodiak Brewing Co.

Ben Millstein, founder of Kodiak Island Brewing Company (KIBC), has pioneered Alaska's craft beer scene since 2003. KIBC, the first and only brewery on Alaska's emerald island, offers locals and tourists alike a diverse range of premium craft beers. Ben's dedication to innovation, quality, and tradition has made KIBC a cornerstone of craft beer culture in this frontier paradise. From local favorites like the Snowshoe Session IPA to award-winning brews like the Spruce Tip Wheat Wine, Ben's leadership ensures KIBC continues to thrive and delight palates. As a Board Member of the Alaska MEP, Ben contributes his expertise to support the local manufacturing industry.

Virginia Lynn Peterson
SWOOP

Virginia Lynn Peterson is the CEO and Founder of SWOOP, a women-owned business crafting bras, underwear, and loungewear for healthcare workers and active women. With 15 years of nursing experience, she designed SWOOP's line to meet the needs of busy professionals. As a Board Member, Virginia's mission extends beyond providing comfort; it's about supporting frontline heroes while redefining industry standards.

Ryan Wiswesser
Chugach Chocolates

Ryan Wiswesser, owner of Chugach Chocolates, is a pioneering entrepreneur with a passion for crafting exceptional confections. Inspired by Alaska's Chugach Mountains, he is dedicated to sourcing ethically and locally, ensuring each product reflects purity and authenticity. As a Board Member for the Alaska MEP, Ryan lends his expertise to support the local manufacturing industry. His leadership fosters innovation and sustainability, driving Chugach Chocolates towards greater success while championing environmental stewardship.