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Thank you to those who were able to attend the Annual Board Retreat and Annual Membership meeting on November 13th and 14th at the Alyeska Resort Hotel. Jill Pawson and her team were very hospitable and we certainly appreciated all that they did to make us feel welcome. Great job Jill!
I would like to take this time to welcome our newest board members Carissa Giliam, Todd Nathanson, Melinda Minsky and Herb Everett. It is a pleasure to have you on "board".
Thank you to Barbara Swenson who is now our Immediate Past Chair. Barbara, you did a fantastic job this past year and I appreciate all of you dedication! Welcome to Terry Wanzer as our Chairman of the Board for 2013. I look forward to working with you this year. And welcome Jill Pawson as our Executive Committee Secretary. Dave Arnott is moving into our Vice Chair position and Steve Zadra has continued on as our Treasurer for the next 2 years. Tammy Griffin is our fantastic PAC Chair for another year!
We had two fantastic guest speakers at the annual membership meeting. Bruce Bustamante is Vice President of Community & Public Affairs, representing Princess Cruisesas well as the land operations of Holland America / Princess - Alaska-Yukon. Jolene McJunkin and Tara Alvarez both teach Travel and Hospitality Management at the King Career Center.
Bruce spoke to us regarding the new North America Emission Control area (set by the EPA) that has been in place for Alaska waters since August 2012 and how it will affect Holland America Princess as well as others who have to adhere to these new policies. He also informed us on how the State of Alaska has filed a suit against the EPA challenging the new fuel standards and how we can get involved and support this with a resolution from AKH&LA. This is something that will be discussed at the next Executive Committee meeting and how we can help.
Jolene and Tara gave a great presentation to us regarding the travel and hospitality program that began again this year at King Career Center. For those of you that may not know, this was a very successful program for many many years but over the past few years the enrollment numbers did not support the continuation of the program. The programs was discontinued for the past 2 years. Jolene was instrumental in having an advisory committee formed with industry leaders, voicing the needs of today's employers and what skills are needed in our workforce. Jolene and Tara touched on many great attributes of KCC and how it prepares students for careers. There are ways for you and your property or business to get involved through Workplace Observation or Work Experience. For more information please contact tour office or Jolene via email at McJunkin_Jolene@asdk12.org.
Last, but certainly not least, John Ewing has resigned from the Board of Directors of AkHLA. John will be staying in Alaska and furthering his career. We wish John our best in his new endeavors. Sharlene Berg has left Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge, part of Ciri Alaskan Tourism and will be the Director of Lodging for the Old Harbor Native Corporation overseeing Grand Denali Lodge and Denali Bluffs. Sharlene hopes to continue on with the AkHLA Board with her new properties. Congratulations Sharlene!
In closing, our PAC Raffle is underway. I appreciate all of the Board members (including John Ewing who sold most of his already!) who are participating in selling this year and look forward to giving the seller of the 1st prize winning ticket that extra bonus of $250! Tickets are $20 a ticket, only 1000 tickets will be sold, Prizes are $3000, $1250 and $500! And again, the person that sells the $3000 winning ticket wins $250! This years drawing will be held on January 26th at the Stars of the Industry event!
Happy Holidays!
Gretchen Kenney | 
