About Us

Denali Commission Act of 1998

The Denali Commission Act of 1998 established the Denali Commission (Commission) to deliver services of the federal government in the most cost-effective manner by reducing administrative and overhead costs. As part of the act, the Commission’s mission of providing job training and other economic development services in rural communities was established with a specific focus on promoting rural development, and providing power generation, transition facilities, modern communication systems, water and sewer systems and other infrastructure needs in rural Alaska. 

Since its inception, the Denali Commission Act of 1998 has been updated several times expanding its mission to include the planning and construction of health care facilities and the establishment of the Denali Access System Program for surface transportation infrastructure and waterfront transportation projects. 

Most recently, the Denali Commission Act was again expanded to include the authority for the Commission to accept funding from other federal agencies as well as gifts or donations for the purpose of carrying out the act. 

Click here to read the Denali Commission Act of 1998 as amended.

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Funding

The Denali Commission’s funding has traditionally included federal congressional appropriations through the Energy and Water appropriations committee.  In addition, the Commission also receives funds from sources such as the US Department of Agriculture and from the Trans-Alaska Pipeline Liability trust fund for energy projects.  In recent legislation, the Commission acquired new authority within its statute that allows the Commission to accept gifts or donations of services, property or money, from non-federal entities; and the Commission is also able to accept transfers of funds from other Federal agencies to carry out any activities that are authorized in its mission.

For questions about the Commission’s funding please contact Corrine Eilo, CFO at 907-271-1424 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

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Our Staff

	Adison Smith Program Specialist Direct: 907-271-1640 - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Ms. Adison Smith provides support to the Transportation Program Manager with development, coordination and oversight of awards and program projects. Ms. Smith also manages the transportation programs grant development, review and issuance process.
	Corrine Eilo - Chief Financial Officer Direct:  907-271-1424 - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Ms. Corrine Eilo is responsible for directing and overseeing the administrative, fiscal and human resource management of the Commission.  She supervises the administrative, grant and financial staff and has oversight of contracted services that support the agency across all programs.  Ms. Eilo serves as a member of the senior management team.
	Jennifer Price - Financial Management Officer Direct:  907-271-3500 - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Ms. Jennifer Price serves as the Finance Management Officer and the Commission’s Certifying Officer overseeing day to day financial operations for the Commission.
	Jodi Fondy - Program Manager Direct:  907-271-3011 - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Ms. Jodi Fondy manages the Energy Program. She is responsible for grant development and compliance as well as project oversight.
	Joel Neimeyer, Federal Co-Chair, Denali Commission Direct: 907-271-1440 – This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Mr. Joel Neimeyer serves as Federal Co-Chair of the Denali Commission. He was appointed in January 2010 by the U.S. Commerce Secretary. As Federal Co-Chair Mr. Neimeyer serves as the Commission’s Agency Head. In his role as a Commissioner, Mr. Neimeyer acts as a tiebreaker in any Commission votes and accepts the Commission’s annual work plan.
	Karen Johnson - Program Manager Direct:  907-271-3036 - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Ms. Karen Johnson is a Program Manager that specializes in the area of workforce development in rural Alaska and in that capacity oversees the Commission’s Training Program. In addition, Ms. Johnson has oversight over the Commission’s Conference Sponsorship initiative that funds conferences specific to the Commission’s priorities.
	Kathy Berzanske - Administrative Specialist Direct: 907-271-5232 - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Ms. Kathy Berzanske assists the CFO with special projects including grant award reconciliations, records management, and policy updates. Additionally, Ms. Berzanske manages various Commission contracts; researches and assists with FOIA requests and prepares the annual Budget Justification document.
	Lindsey Jolly - Financial Specialist Direct: 907-271-3099 - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. As the Finance Specialist, Ms Jolly provides administrative support to the Commission and oversees various financial projects.
	Monica Armstrong - Grants Administrator Direct: 907-271-3415 - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. As the Grant Administrator for the Denali Commission, Ms. Monica Armstrong facilitates the processing of all grant actions, as well maintains the project database. She provides assistance to grantees, program partners, as well as support to Denali staff on all aspects of the grant process.
	Payton Snider - Information Technology Specialist Direct: 907-271-3003 - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. In his capacity as the Information Technology Specialist Mr. Payton Snider leads and directs long- and short-term technology planning, development and implementations, advises on technology spending and budget needs. Additionally, Mr. Snider Ensures that the management and operation of IT processes are timely, cost-effective and in accordance with all applicable statutes, regulations, and policies.
	Sabrina Hoppas - Administrative Specialist Direct: 907-271-5239 - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Ms. Hoppas serves as the Federal Co-Chair’s Executive Assistant managing his schedule and travel. Additionally, Ms. Hoppas manages multiple Commission contracts, updates to the Commission website and serves as the contact for media inquiries.
	Tessa Axelson - Senior Program Manager Direct: 907-271-1624 - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Ms. Tessa Axelson is responsible for managing the Commission’s Transportation Program and staff, which specializes in planning, designing and constructing local road and waterfront development projects in rural Alaska.  Ms. Axelson also manages the Commission’s National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) program, administers a variety of agency contracts and assists the Federal Co-Chair on an array of management and policy issues.
	Mark Spafford, P.E. – Senior Program Manager Direct: 907-271-1197 - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Mr. Mark Spafford is responsible for managing the Sustainable Rural Communities and Solid Waste Programs at the Commission. In addition to managing those programs, Mr. Spafford also functions as a technical advisor providing peer-review for fellow Commission staff. Lastly, Mr. Spafford manages an initiative to assist rural communities with the identification and development of critical or desired public infrastructure projects necessary for the sustainability of those communities.
	Monica Siah - Program Assistant Direct: 907-271-1414 - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Ms. Siah is responsible for greeting visitors in the Anchorage office, answering and directing phone calls and correspondence, booking conference rooms, and providing general administrative support. Additionally, she assists the finance team with processing Standard Form 270 requests for reimbursement and tracking remaining funding on awards.

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Meet the Commissioners

The Denali Commission Act of 1998 establishes that the Commission is composed of seven members appointed by the Secretary of Commerce to create the proposed annual work plan for the Denali Commission. Many of these Commissioners additionally serve as part of the Commission’s Advisory Bodies. These Commissioners represent perspectives throughout Alaska and include the Governor of the State of Alaska; the Presidents of the University of Alaska, Alaska Municipal League, Alaska Federation of Natives, AFL-CIO Alaska, Associated General Contractors of Alaska; and the Federal Co-Chair of the Denali Commission.

	Joel Neimeyer, Federal Co-Chair, Denali Commission Phone: 907-271-1414 Mr. Joel Neimeyer serves as the Federal Co-Chair for the Denali Commission and in that position acts as meeting chair during Commission meetings. Mr. Neimeyer also serves as Chair of the Transportation Advisory Committee.
	John MacKinnon, Executive Director, Associated General Contractors of Alaska Phone: 907-561-5354 Mr. John MacKinnon serves as a Commissioner representing the Associated General Contractors of Alaska. In that capacity he also serves as the Chair of the Energy Advisory Committee.
	Julie E. Kitka, President, Alaska Federation of Natives Phone: 907-274-3611 Ms. Julie Kitka serves as a Commissioner representing the Alaska Federation of Natives.
	Kathie Wasserman, Executive Director, Alaska Municipal League Phone: 907-586-1325 Ms. Kathie Wasserman serves as a Commissioner representing the Alaska Municipal League.
	Patrick K. Gamble, President, University of Alaska Phone: 907-450-8009 Mr. Patrick Gamble serves as a Commissioner representing the University of Alaska.
	Susan Bell, Commissioner of the Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development Phone: 907-465-2500 Ms. Susan Bell serves as State Co-Chair representing the Governor of Alaska.
	Vince Beltrami, Executive President, Alaska AFL-CIO Phone: 907-258-6284 Mr. Vince Beltrami serves as a Commissioner representing the Alaska AFL-CIO. He is also the Chair of the Training Advisory Committee.

 

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Advisory Committees

Energy Advisory Committee

Brad Reeve - Kotzebue Electric Association Inc.

Brian Hirsch - National Renewable Energy Laboratory - Anchorage

Dr. Daniel White - University of Alaska, Fairbanks

Eric A. Marchegiani, P.E. - U.S. Department of Agriculture - Rural Development

John MacKinnon (Chair) - Denali Commissioner - Associated General Contractors of Alaska

Robert Martin, Jr., PE - Goldbelt Corporation

Vince Beltrami - Denali Commissioner - Alaska AFL-CIO

Health Steering Committee

William Streur (Co-Chair), Commissioner Alaska Department of Health and Social Services

[Vacant] (Co-Chair), Denali Commissioner

Andy Teuber - Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium

Jan Harris - University of Alaska, Anchorage

Karen Perdue - Alaska State Hospital and Nursing Home Association

Jeff Jessee - Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority

Kenneth F. Glifort, MD, MPH - Indian Health Services

Lincoln A. Bean, Sr. - Alaska Native Health Board

[Vacant] - Alaska Primary Care Association

Ward Hurlburt, MD, MPH - Alaska Department of Health and Social Services

Transportation Advisory Committee

Carvel Zimin, Jr. - Bristol Bay Borough Assembly

Chuck Pool, P.E., R.L.S. - Pool Engineering, Incorporated

Chuck Quinlan - K'oyitl'ots'ina, Limited

Joel Neimeyer (Chair) - Denali Commissioner

Mike Hoffman - Association of Village Council Presidents

Randy Romenesko, P.E. - Norton Sound Health Corporation

Ray Richards - Doyon Limited

Steve Ivanoff - Kawerak, Incorporated

Walter Sampson - NANA Regional Corporation

Training Advisory Committee

Bernice Joseph - University of Alaska

Vince Beltrami (Chair) - Denali Commissioner - Alaska AFL-CIO

Wanetta Ayers - Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development

John MacKinnon - Associated General Contractors of Alaska

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Events

News

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