References

Take our Word

Professional References

Senior Fire Captain Joe Albrecht, (907-240-4094) Anchorage Fire Department, former President of IAFF Local 1264 (International Association of Firefighters, AFL – CIO) the person who hired me to be their lobbyist and political strategist, professional and character reference

Jeff Jessee, (907-632-2561) CEO of the Alaska Mental Health Lands Trust Authority, leader in the field of disability rights, can speak to my work training people with disabilities and their families on how to access power within their communities and with elected officials.

Melinda Taylor, (907-301-2215) Political Director of IBEW local 1547, professional and character reference of more than 20 years.

Jim Stratton, (907-229-9761) Jim Stratton can speak to my work with the Alaska Democratic Party, my work for environmental organizations, and the coalition building that I facilitated between organized labor and environmental advocacy groups in Alaska.

Rhonda Roberts, former Chair of the Alaska state Democratic Party, hired me to be her Executive Director of the state party.

State Sen. Johnny Ellis, (907-223-7724) (D-AK, retired) Has known me for more than 20 years, can speak to my experience as the Executive Director of the Alaska state Democratic Party, and to my ability to design effective grassroots lobbying campaigns, professional and character reference.

Susan Pacillo, (907-223-0342) Leader in women’s issues in Alaska, can speak to my work supporting Planned Parenthood of Alaska, and my service as President of the Board of Alaska’s largest rape crisis center, S.T.A.R. (Standing Together against Rape)

Letter of reference from Karrie Washenfelder, President of the Fort Bend AFT (American Federation of Teachers) Local 6198

Community Service

Flew to New York City at my own expense to volunteer at Ground Zero, World Trade Center Recovery Center, in late December 2001 to relieve other volunteers so they could spend time with their families at Christmas and New Year’s.

Organization Paid/Volunteer Time With Agency Activities
Access Alaska Both 3-4 years Grassroots political assistance (a disability right organization)
Alaska Black Caucus Volunteer 1-2 years Fundraising; MKL, Jr. Day events
Alaska Center for the Environment Volunteer/Board Member 1 year Fundraising
Alaska Center for the Performing Arts Volunteer/Board Member 1 year Fundraising
Alaska Children’s Trust Volunteer 1-2 years Fundraising   
Alaska Health Project Volunteer 2 years President of board, Non-profit dealing with worker occupational safety and health issues, advocated for worker rights to a safe work environment
Alaska Mental Health Land Trust Authority Paid 7 years Consulted on strategy re: generating public pressure to expedite lawsuit settlement; coordinated diverse coalition of interest groups (environmental, developers, people with disabilities, senior citizens, etc)  coordinated free/paid media strategy
Alaska Native Justice Center Volunteer 1-2 years Fundraising, Coalition building
Alaska Women’s Lobby Volunteer 3-4 years Fundraising
American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) Volunteer 4-5 years Adopted 9 medically fragile dogs over the last 10 years, committed to care of same
Anchorage Unleashed Volunteer 1-2 years Lobbied to bring dog parks to Anchorage
ASSETS Volunteer/Board Member 1 year Disability Rights Movement
Boys & Girls Club Volunteer/VP of Board in charge of Government Relations 1-2 years Fundraising
Brother Francis Volunteer Homeless shelter run by Catholic Social Services Served meals every Wednesday
Council on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Volunteer 1-2 years Agency of the State of Alaska Served as Chair (elected position)
Downtown Community Council Volunteer 2 years Served as elected Recording Secretary, and elected Vice President of Council
Government Hill Community Council Volunteer 1 year Lobbied/facilitated  relationship concerning Williams Petroleum Tank Development
Horticulture Coalition Paid (discount rate) 2 years Provided political voice to master gardeners in Anchorage; the master gardeners ultimately developed into a politically powerfully group and were influential in Assembly and Mayoral races
KEY Campaign Paid (discount rate) 10 years Worked with Executive Directors of multiple agencies to design and direct the lobbying campaign to increase funding for services for people who experienced disabilities
KTUU Channel 2 Citizens’ Advisory Board Volunteer/Board Member 1 year Served on board
Mayor Knowles Hazardous Waste Taskforce Volunteer/Task Force Member 2 years Co-authored Hazardous Waste Management Plan and Community Right-To-Know Ordinance with task force, received Mayor Knowles Pollution Prevention Award 1986
Municipality of Anchorage Animal Control Advisory Board Volunteer/Board Member 1 year Served on board
National Women’s Political Caucus Volunteer 20 years Was only male delegate to national convention, member of AWPC for 20 years
Northeast Community Center Volunteer/President of Board 2 years Oversaw all aspects of running community center
Rainbow Connection Volunteer 2-3 years Served as a volunteer lobbyist in order to help secure a long term lease of municipal lands for use as a riding facility for people who experienced disabilities
Standing Together Against Rape (STAR) Volunteer/President of Board/Crisis line volunteer staffer Ongoing-18 years Helped stabilize the agency; recruited members to rebuild the Board of Directors; hired new Executive Director; implemented ongoing fundraising initiatives; oversaw the formation of the first Sexual Assault Response Team in Anchorage
The Laborers’ Union Paid 10 years Advocated for and represented construction industry laborers
Trustees for Alaska Volunteer/Board Member 1 year Served on Board
Veterans’ Home Volunteer 1 year Coordinated acquisition of landscaping contract work
Ground Zero Volunteer 1 month Flew to New York City at my own expense to volunteer at Ground Zero, World Trade Center Recovery Center, in late December 2001 to relieve other volunteers so they could spend time with their families at Christmas and New Year’s.