Meet Our 2025 Tech Deployment Track Advisors
Above: 2025 Tech Deployment Track Advisors participate in Session 1 at the BP Energy Center, Sept. 16, 2025. Photo by Tim Leach/Launch Alaska.
Sustainable tech solutions don’t scale on their own—they need champions who can open doors, share insights, and spark connections. That’s where the Tech Deployment Track volunteer advisors come in.
Representing Alaska’s corporate giants, research institutions, government agencies, and community organizations, and innovative small businesses, these professionals bring deep expertise and local knowledge to help startups move from concept to deployment. Advisors identify potential leads, evaluate market fit, and highlight project opportunities across the state. They provide critical guidance for companies working to deploy new energy, transportation, and industrial technologies.
During Session 1, the 2025 advisors met with this year’s cohort companies, listened to their pitches, and provided targeted recommendations. Many will continue their involvement beyond the session, mentoring startups as they design pilots and pursue scaling opportunities.
This dynamic collaboration not only accelerates climate tech adoption in Alaska, it gives advisors a unique role in shaping the state’s clean energy future.
Thank you to the 2025 Tech Deployment Track advisors for helping to make this work possible.
Lauren Latchem — Facilities Startup Engineer, PRA
Cady Lister — Executive Director, Renewable Energy Alaska Project (REAP)
Melanie Lucas-Conwell — Director, Alaska Sustainable Energy Corporation
Richard Marshall — Independent (Retired, National Security Agency)
Bill Mendenhall — Investor, Trident Winds 4.9
Ian Mills — Research and Data Manager, University of Alaska Center for Economic Development
Nikki Navio — Transportation Program Manager, Denali Commission
Mary Ann Pease — Owner, MAP Consulting, LLC
Sean Peterson — Senior Environmental Scientist, Zender Environmental Health & Research Group
Jared Reynolds — Director, UAA Center for Economic Development
Alyssa Rodrigues — Principal Economist, Economic Development Consultants
Christopher Schutte — Principal Consultant, Capricom LLC
Samson Shepherd — Owner, Arctic Manufacturing Services
Sean Skaling — Senior Manager, Business Development, Chugach Electric Association
Dan Smith — Planning Manager, Alaska Energy Authority
Scott Waterman — Retired Energy Specialist
James Wiseman — Project Manager, Alyeska Pipeline Services Company
Kurt Waltenbaugh — Founder, Kestrel Rising LLC
Leanne Werner — Technical Advisor, Pacific Decarbonization
Liam Zsolt — Senior Director of Innovation & New Business Development, ASRC Energy
Brendan Babb — Chief Innovation Officer, Municipality of Anchorage
Eloise Brown — Research Professional, University of Alaska Fairbanks
Calvin Chang — Director, 49th State Angel Fund, Municipality of Anchorage
Steve Cleary — Community Programs Director, Renewable Energy Alaska Project (REAP)
Katie Conway — Energy and Bulk Fuel Program Manager, Denali Commission
Josh Craft — Managing Partner, Crafty Energy, LLC
Aaron Dotson — Vice Chancellor for Research, University of Alaska Anchorage
Theresa Dutchuk — Environmental Business Lead, DOWL
David Gamez — Project Manager/Transportation Engineer, Lounsbury & Associates
Clayton Gooden — Director, NANA Regional
Brij Hall-Potnis — Co-Founder & CTO, Power Planet
Getu Hailu — Professor of Mechanical Engineering, University of Alaska Anchorage
Mark Henspeter — Business Development Analyst, Chugach Electric Association
Jay Hermanson — Management Consultant/Principal, NorEnergi Consulting
Edward Jenkin — CEO, Railbelt Reliability Council
Katherine Jernstrom — Founder/CEO, The Boardroom; Board Director, Chugach Electric Association
Joe Jacobson — Principal, Saint Elias Strategies, LLC
Linda Janes — Managing Director, gener8tor
Richelle Johnson — Energy and Sustainability Manager, Solid Waste Services (Municipality of Anchorage)
Robb Kulin — First Principles