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Economic Development and Advocacy for Southwest Alaska
February 2013 
Greetings!
It was a long and productive few days last week, but we made it through another SWAMC Conference! A recap of the event is featured in this newsletter. Thanks so much for reading, and keep in touch.
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Discussions and Topics from the Conference 
SWAMC's 2013 Economic Summit and Annual Membership Meeting concluded this past weekend, and from early indications it was a success. We had loads of great speakers and panels - Check out the conference agenda and energy workshop. From fisheries to agriculture to broadband and transportation, we covered a lot of ground in two days. And of course, we had a full day of energy discussions during our workshop, an indication that Southwest Alaskans are very concerned about energy, but also willing to roll up their sleeves and do something about it.

In addition to the panels, we also had loads of great food, conversation, networking, music, and actions taken on important issues for the region. You can read on for some of the membership business, including resolutions passed and Board elections. If you would like more information about the conference, please feel free to contact our office, especially if there are particular presentations you were interested in.

Again, we would like to thank all of our sponsors, presenters, vendors, and especially the attendees. We know it's not easy to leave your families and communities for three or four days, so we appreciate your participation and great questions.

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SWAMC members looking for answers during DJ "Eagle Bear" Vanas' Keynote Address.
Please Fill Out a Survey exlcam
Did you attend last week's meeting? If so, please take 5 minutes (or more if you'd like) to fill out this quick online survey. Tell us how we did, what you liked, what you didn't, what you want to see at future meetings, and how we can make next year even better. We know there is always room for improvement, and we take all comments into consideration. Thanks so much!
Resolutions Passed at the Membership Meeting
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SWAMC stalwart Frank Kelty, always asking a hardball question.

The SWAMC membership had a full business meeting on Friday the 22nd, as they passed 10 resolutions of regional importance. You can read each one in detail below:

  

New Members of the SWAMC Board of Directors
Membership also elected to the Board of Directors a few new members and re-elected a few familiar faces on Friday. Louise Stutes (Kodiak Island - Municipal), Paul Gronholdt (Aleutians/Pribilofs - Associate), and Joe Sullivan (Assoc. A - At-large) were all re-elected to their seats. Joining the SWAMC Board for their first term are: Michelle Ravenmoon (Bristol Bay - Mun.), from the village of Pope-Vannoy in the Lake & Peninsular Borough; Dan Clarion (Kodiak Island - Mun.), from the City of Ouzinkie; and Dan O'Hara (Bristol Bay - Mun.), from the Bristol Bay Borough. Stutes was elected President, Alice Ruby of Dillingham is Vice President, and Layton Lockett from Adak was tapped for Treasurer. The rest of the Board can be seen on the right sidebar.

We would like to welcome the new Board members and thank former Directors Lamar Cotten, Kathleen Totemoff, and Patrick Jordan for their years of service and dedication to SWAMC. It was a pleasure working with you.
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Representative Bryce Edgmon and
Spank the Dog dishing out the pain at SWAMC's Friday night banquet.
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Enjoying some of Southwest Alaska's tasty offerings at the Seafood Reception.
That's all for now. Thanks again for another great conference!
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In This Issue...
Conference Discussions
Conference Surveys
Resolutions Passed
SWAMC Board Elections
Thanks to Our Wonderful 2013 Conference Sponsors!

Skipper 
PenAir
Federal Reserve Bank - SF

First Mate 
ASMI
Pebble Ltd Partnership

Deck Master

City of Adak
The Aleut Corp.
Bristol Bay Native Corp.
City of King Cove
City of Unalaska
Wells Fargo

Deck Hand 
AIDEA
Alaska Scallop Association
APICDA
Crowley Petroleum
City of Kodiak
Kodiak Island Borough

Coffee Break 
Alaska Housing Finance Corporation
Alaska Permanent Capital Management
Aleutians East Borough
Aleutians Housing Authority
Boyd, Chandler, Falconer
Bristol Bay Borough
HDR Alaska
Lake & Peninsula Borough
Northern Economics
Nushagak Elec. Cooperative

Our 25th Anniversary Seafood Extravaganza SW Regional Donors!

 

Alaska Scallop Association
Gulf of Alaska Scallops

APS & Alaska Groundfish Databank
Gulf of Alaska Cod

Copper River Seafoods
Gulf of Alaska Rockfish

Ocean Beauty 
Togiak Sockeye Salmon

Trident & Alaska Groundfish Databank

Gulf of Alaska Flounder

City of Unalaska
Bering Sea Opilio & Red King Crab
2013 Exhibitors
Alaska Airlines
Alaska Energy Authority
Alaska Humanities Forum
Alaska SourceLink
Aleutian Ledgers
First National Bank Alaska
High Tide Environmental
Spill Shield Inc.
Summit Consulting 
UAF Cooperative Extension
USDA Rural Development
Vitus Marine LLC
2013 SWAMC Board of Directors
 Louise Stutes, Pres.
Alice Ruby, Vice Pres.  
Layton Lockett, Treas.
Dan Clarion
Dan O'Hara
Glen Gardner
Joe Sullivan 
Michelle Ravenmoon 
Paul Gronholdt  
Shirley Marquardt
  Trevor Brown
 

SWAMC Staff

 Andy Varner
Executive Director


Erik O'Brien 
Economist; Development Specialist 
 
Cameron Dean 
STEM Education Coordinator / VISTA 
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Upcoming Events & Dates to Remember
As always...
Thanks for your support of SWAMC. Please don't hesitate to share your thoughts, ideas, concerns and events. For previous newsletters, click the link below.