Board of Directors
The Launch Alaska board of directors helps guide Launch Alaska’s strategic vision and direction.
Meet our board of directors, and learn more about the people who make our work possible.
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Angela Rodell serves as President of Launch Alaska's board of directors, helping guide the organization's work accelerating innovation in Alaska's energy, transportation, and industrial sectors.
She also serves as a Senior Advisor to Star Mountain Capital and, since 2022, has led Rodell Consulting, providing strategic advisory services on financial decision-making and organizational growth.
A veteran financial executive with more than 30 years of experience leading public and private institutions, Angela previously served as chief executive officer of the Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation, where she oversaw growth in the State of Alaska's sovereign wealth fund from $50 billion to $80 billion in assets under management.
Before becoming CEO, Angela served as Alaska's Commissioner of Revenue and Trustee for the Alaska Permanent Fund, where she strengthened the State's financial position, secured funding for State pension funds, restructured outstanding debt, and helped achieve credit upgrades to AAA from both Standard & Poor's and Fitch Ratings. From 1996 through 2011, she was an investment banker and financial advisor working with multiple states, including Alaska, California, Illinois, and New York.
Angela's leadership extends to national and international platforms: she was elected to a three-year term as Chair of the International Forum of Sovereign Wealth Funds in 2021, and served a two-year term as Chair of the Pacific Pension and Investment Institute concluding in 2023. She also serves as a member of the investment committee for the Alaska Community Foundation. Angela holds a BA in economics and political science from Marquette University, a MPA from the University of Kentucky, and is certified in Corporate Governance from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.
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Ben Kellie is the Co-Founder & CEO of Applied Atomics, a nuclear fission startup unlocking large scale co-located power to unlock the next 1,000 years of energy for humanity. The company is vertically integrating proven Gen III+ LWR technologies with in-house EPC on the balance of plant to speed the deployment and lower the cost of nuclear power. Applied Atomics is a Launch Alaska portfolio company.
Previously, Ben founded The Launch Company which designed and built launch pad infrastructure and standardized flight hardware for the commercial space industry, flying on a number of rockets and satellites. That company was acquired by Voyager Space in 2021. Ben began his career at SpaceX where he played a critical role in new launch pad developed, starting on the west coast at Vandenberg AFB where he led the development of several key systems from design through deployment while also serving as Lead Engineer and Red Team leader for the first launch. He went on to lead the field deployment of the first stage landing barges from first steel in the shipyard through the first landing missions at sea for multiple iterations of "Just Read the Instructions" and "Of Course I Still Love You."
He has an MS in Mechanical Engineering from Ohio State University, and a BS in Mechanical Engineering from University of Alaska Fairbanks.
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Tom Hsieh is president of FLOAT Alaska LLC, parent company to FlyCoin, Ravn Alaska, and Northern Pacific Airways. Tom began his career technology, joining EarthLink in the 1990s, where he managed engineering and IT functions for over a decade. Tom oversaw EarthLink’s growth from a fledgling start-up through its successful IPO on the NASDAQ exchange.
Tom’s passion for entrepreneurship and innovation has led him to spearhead a number of organizations and initiatives focused on driving social change. He serves on the boards of the Intervalley Health Plan; the San Gabriel Valley Economic Partnership; Fuller Seminary; and the Claremont Graduate University. He co-founded FLOAT Shuttle Inc. in 2018, a venture-funded shuttle airline service catering to commuters and corporations in the greater Los Angeles area. In April 2020, Tom was instrumental in the acquisition of Ravn Air Group.
Tom received his Bachelor of Science in Physics from Harvey Mudd College and has an Executive MBA from the Peter F. Drucker School of Management. He and his wife, Bree Devones Hsieh, live a purposeful life and are committed to non-profit and civic efforts.
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A project executive who builds high-performing, multinational teams and rapidly deploys capital to deliver high-tech, first-of-a-kind industrial projects. Justin Hickel currently serves as Head of Plant Engineering at Blykalla and Executive Advisor for Capital Projects at Atlas Partners. His previous experience includes Stegra (H2 Green Steel), Rivian, Tesla, and BP. Industries spanning Hydrogen and green steel manufacturing, Electric vehicle and gigafactories, and North Slope energy operations. He holds an MSc in Global Energy Management from the University of Colorado Denver, and a BSc in Mechanical Engineering from Colorado State University.
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Merrick Johnston is a geophysicist, project manager, entrepreneur, and internationally certified ski guide with experience leading complex projects across energy, waste management, and outdoor industries in both Alaska and Norway.
After more than 16 years living in Norway, Merrick returned to Alaska in 2026, bringing extensive experience developing multidisciplinary teams, founding and growing businesses, and connecting innovation across the Arctic. Her work has spanned municipal infrastructure, circular economy initiatives, renewable energy, waste-to-energy, sustainable tourism, and Arctic operations.
Merrick is a co-owner of Alaska Guide Collective. She is passionate about accelerating innovation, strengthening partnerships between Alaska and the Nordic region, and helping build resilient northern communities through entrepreneurship, technology, and responsible resource development.
She holds master’s degrees in international business management from University of Tromsø and geophysics from Colorado School of Mines. BA in geology and environmental science from Dartmouth College.
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An investor at Amazon's Climate Pledge Fund, Sam LaPierre’s experience includes time with WestRiver Group, Goodwater Capital, Simple Health, the Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation, AK Impact Investors, New America, Koltai & Company, LLC, Claremont McKenna Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, and INJAZ Al-Arab. She holds an MBA from Yale School of Management, and a bachelor’s degree in International Relations and Affairs from Claremont McKenna College.
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Daniel Jensen is the Director, Business Development and Asset Management at Cook Inlet Region, Inc. (CIRI), one of twelve Alaska Native Regional Corporations. In his role, Daniel manages CIRI's energy investments in accordance with CIRI's mission to provide for the economic, cultural and social well-being of over 9,000 Alaska Native shareholders. CIRI’s flagship energy investment is Fire Island Wind, a 17.6 megawatt project located three miles off the coast of Anchorage in Cook Inlet. Fire Island Wind was the first utility scale energy project developed by an independent power producer in Alaska. CIRI has invested over $175 million in energy projects and companies both inside and outside of Alaska.
After completing an undergraduate and graduate degree in business and accounting from Montana State University, Daniel moved to Alaska to work at KPMG, an internationally recognized accounting firm, as an auditor. In this position Daniel was able to gain insight into a vast array of companies. After KPMG, Daniel worked at Waste Connections, which owns and operates Alaska Waste, as a district controller. At Waste Connections, Daniel was able to further his knowledge of regulated utilities, as well as build his business and financial acumen.
Daniel is an avid skier who volunteers at Anchorage Ski Club, a 501(c)(3) non-profit which owns and operates Arctic Valley Ski Area, as the board treasurer. During his tenure as treasurer, Daniel has overseen nearly 300% revenue growth and helped transition to a self-sustaining business model. Daniel also volunteers with Renewable Energy Alaska Project, a 501(c)(3) non-profit advocating for renewable energy and energy efficiency in Alaska, again as the board treasurer. Daniel holds an active Certified Public Account license through the Alaska State Board of Public Accountancy, as well as a Financial Modeling and Valuation Analyst certificate from the Corporate Finance Institute.
Learn More About the Launch Alaska Team
Launch Alaska is powered by people, from our board of directors to the individual staff members who drive our day-to-day operations. Meet our team members below:
