AML is excited to work again with partners and Sen. Murkowski to deliver the 5th Annual Infrastructure Development Symposium, an opportunity to assess where we’re at and what’s left to be done. The goal of the Symposium is to advance and strengthen infrastructure across Alaska through active engagement and coordination.
Held consecutively with the Congressional Delegation’s Grants Symposium, this event will be a clearinghouse of information and planning. The Infrastructure Symposium will feature updates from state and federal agencies, planning and implementation strategies, and a focus on reporting and compliance. Sessions will focus on asset management, project development, and ways to overcome challenges related to the sustainability of these investments. Local and Tribal government officials are encouraged to attend, as well as other community-based organizations, utilities, contractors, and businesses.
2025 Working Agenda
This agenda is still under development, please continue to check here for updates.
Tuesday, April 22 - Infrastructure Priorities and Federal & State Updates
9:00 AM | Opening Plenary Tikahtnu A
Welcome & Symposium Goals
- Ben Mallott, Alaska Federation of Natives
- Nils Andreassen, Alaska Municipal League
Keynote Address: Federal Infrastructure Priorities & Investments
- Speaker: Senator Lisa Murkowski
10:00 AM | Networking Break
10:30 AM | Advancing a new Federal Agenda (Plenary) Tikahtnu A
Moderated by Kollette Schroeder, Office of Infrastructure
- Givey Kochanowski, Regional Director, BOEM
- Jocelyn Fenton, Denali Commission
- Connor Torossian, Deputy Assistance Secretary, US DOT
- Emma Pokon, Regional Administrator, EPA (tentative)
- Erin Whitney, Arctic Energy Office
10:30 AM | Hazard Mitigation and Emergency Management Working Group
- By invite only
12:00 PM | Lunch Panel: Navigating the Infrastructure Funding Landscape Tikahtnu B
Moderated by Nils Andreassen, Alaska Municipal League
- Christine O’Connor, Alaska Telecom Association
- Laurie Wolf, Foraker Group
- David Beveridge, ANTHC
- April Ferguson, AFN
1:30 – 4:30 PM |Sector-Specific Updates (Plenary) Tikahtnu A
Transportation & Roads: Federal Highway & Transit Updates
- Laurie Suttmeier, FAA (invited)
- Adam Moser, DOT&PF
- Andrew White, BIA
Energy & Power: Renewable & Grid Resilience Strategies
- Curtis Thayer, Alaska Energy Authority
- Melanie Lucas-Conwell, Alaska Sustainable Energy Corporation
- Ian Baring-Gould, National Renewable Energy Laboratory
Water & Wastewater: Drinking Water & Sanitation Programs
- Gene McCabe, Division of Water Director, DEC
- Chris Mercer, IHS
Broadband Expansion
- Christine O’Connor, Alaska Telecom Association
- Thomas Lochner, Alaska Broadband Office
Resilience: Hazard Mitigation & Adaptation Strategies
- Morgan Frank, Division of Air Quality, DEC
- Bryan Fisher, DHS&EM
- Max Neale, Climate Initiatives, ANTHC
3:30 PM | Dual Use Infrastructure Work Group – Invite Only Tikahtnu D
- Hosted by Denali Commission
Wednesday, April 23 - Project Implementation and Compliance
State and federal agencies, TA providers Expo (all day, free) Foyer
8:30 AM | Alaska Communities Arctic Roundtable K’enakatnu
Alaska mayors, Tribal leaders, and community leaders explore local priorities and how Arctic cooperation can better support our communities. Hosted in collaboration with the Municipality of Anchorage, Alaska Municipal League, and the Arctic Mayors Forum. RSVP Here
9:00 AM | Concurrent Sessions
Transportation Technological Developments Tikahtnu A
- Hosted by Ryan Marlow, DOT&PF
- Tim Leach, Launch Alaska
- Sean Arcilla, Alaska Energy Authority
Firewise Alaska Tikahtnu B
- Hosted by Marie Lowe, UAA
- Jennifer Schmidt, UAA: Wildfire Risk Mapping in Alaska
- Mohammad Heidari-Kapourchali, UAA: Wildfire and Electrical Utilities
- Jocelyn Fenton, Denali Commission: Forest Fire Fuel Mitigation Project
- Rob Allen, Alaska Division of Fire and Forestry
Water and Sewer – Training and Workforce Tikahtnu C
- Hosted by Francine Moreno, ANTHC
- Jenni Harrison, ANTHC
- Kelli Whelan, ANTHC
- Brandi Adams, DEC
Energy Workforce Tikahtnu D
- Hosted by Griffin Plush and Farha Karim, Alaska Municipal League
- Danielle Isbell, Kinetic West
Grant Compliance – Introduction to 2 CFR 200 and Resources Tikahtnu E/F
- Hosted by Rachel Morse, Alaska Municipal League
- Leah Wood, University of Washington
10:15 AM | Break & Networking
10:45 AM | Concurrent Sessions
Transportation and Transit Planning Tikahtnu A
- Hosted by Erin Reinders, Alaska Municipal League
- Judy Chapman, Alaska DOT&PF
- Robin Eleazer, Gulkana Tribal Transit
Broadband – Industry Challenges and Opportunities Tikahtnu B
- Hosted by Christine O’Connor, Alaska Telecom Association
- Heather Cavanaugh, Director, Alaska Communications
- Megan Webb, Senior Director, GCI
- Kelly Williams, CEO, OTZ Telephone Cooperative
Water and Sewer – Community Utility Support Tikahtnu C
- Hosted by Melody Nibeck, Alaska Municipal League
- Kelli Whelan, Tribal Utility Support, ANTHC
- Chris Cox, ARUC, ANTHC
- John Johnson, Remote Maintenance Worker, DEC
Energy Efficiency and Conservation Tikahtnu D
- Hosted by Ren Scott and Trisha Sims, Alaska Municipal League
- Yosty Storms, AEA
Federal Funding Compliance – Policies and Procedures Tikahtnu E/F
- Hosted by Leah Woods, University of Washington
- Rachel Morse, Alaska Municipal League
- Shelsea Russell, RurAL CAP
- Layton Lockett, Alaska Municipal League
12:00 PM | Unleashing Alaska’s Potential Tikahtnu A
- Hosted by Nils Andreassen, Alaska Municipal League
- Leila Kimbrell, Resource Development Council
1:30 PM | Concurrent Sessions
Managing Change Tikahtnu A
- Hosted by Nils Andreassen, Alaska Municipal League
Solar for All Tikahtnu B
- Hosted by Griffin Plush, Alaska Municipal League
- Dustin Madden, ANTHC
- Audrey Alstrom, AEA
Grid Resilience Tikahtnu C
- Hosted by Tyler Kornelis, KANA
- Brian Kirchner, Deerstone Consulting
- Chris McConnell, Alaska Energy Authority
Rural Aviation Tikahtnu D
- Hosted by Rebecca Douglas, DOT&PF
Federal Funding Compliance – Everyone has a Role in Compliance Tikahtnu E/F
- Hosted by Rachel Morse, Alaska Municipal League
- Jenny Murphey, RurAL CAP
- Joie Millet, RurAL CAP
- Laurie Wolf, The Foraker Group
- Alicia Hughes-Skandijs Assembly member, City and Borough of Juneau
- Lindsay Reese, DCRA
Safety Action Plans – SS4A Cohort – invite only K’enakatnu
2:45 PM | Break Foyer
3:15 PM | Concurrent Sessions
Boardroads Conditions and Standards Tikahtnu A
- Hosted by Britta Hamre, Alaska Municipal League
- Rebecca Garrett, Alaska DOT&PF
- Nikki Navio, Denali Commission
- Billy Connor, Arctic Infrastructure Development Center (tentative)
- Greg Smith, BIA
Office Hours with DCRA Local Government Specialists Tikahtnu B
- Division of Community and Regional Affairs
Workforce Development for Emergency Management Tikahtnu C
- Hosted by Farha Karim, Alaska Municipal League
- James Benzschawel, ANTHC
- Bryan Fisher, DHS&EM
Coastal Resilience Planning Tikahtnu D
- Hosted by Danielle Meeker, Alaska Municipal League
- Nadine Doiron, NOAA
Federal Funding Compliance—Overview and Q&A Tikahtnu E/F
- Hosted by Leah Wood, University of Washington
- Speakers from previous compliance sessions
4:30 PM | Adjourn
Thursday, April 24 - Durable, Long-Last Infrastructure Implementation
Infrastructure Job Fair – Organized in Cooperation with the Alaska Job Centers Foyer
8:30 AM | AHFC Building Codes Technical Advisory Group (Invite Only) K’enakatnu 6
9:00 AM | Planning and Pre-Development
Housing Update and Progress Tikahtnu A
- Hosted by Daniel Delfino, Alaska Housing Finance Corporation
- Jasmine Boyle, RurAL CAP
- Chad Stovall, Anchorage Community Development Authority
- Kate Huber, City of Valdez
- Michele Brown, Housing Alaskans
Workforce Development – Industry Lightning Round Tikahtnu B
- Hosted by Mari Selle, Alaska Workforce Alliance
- Leila Kimbrell, Resource Development Council
- Jocelyn Swindel, Alaska Marine Highway System
- Connie Beemer, Alaska Hospital and Healthcare Association
Permitting Projects Tikahtnu C
- Hosted by Ashlee Adoko, Department of Natural Resources
Pre-Development Tikahtnu D
- Hosted by Laurie Wolf, Foraker Group
Planning Essentials Tikahtnu E/F
- Hosted by Erin Reinders, Alaska Municipal League
- Conner Erickson, Alaska Energy Authority
- Iain Cranston, icInfrastructure
10:15 AM | Break & Networking Foyer
10:45 AM | Sustainable Operations
Housing Next Steps Tikahtnu A
- Hosted by Michele Brown, Housing Alaskans
- Griffin Forster, Association of Alaska Housing Authorities
- Mindy O’Neall, Cold Climate Housing Research Center
- Randy Hughey, Sitka Community Land Trust
- Shauna Hegna, Koniag
Maintenance and Operations Tikahtnu B
- Hosted by Erin Reinders, AML
- Iain Cranston, icInfrastructure
- Craig Fredeen, Cold Climate Engineering
- Dan Adamczak, DOT&PF
Reserve Accounts and User Fees Tikahtnu C
- Hosted by Griffin Plush, Alaska Municipal League
- Chris Cox, ARUC, ANTHC
- Bill Stamm, AVEC (tentative)
- Chellie Skoog, Foraker Group
Hiring and Workforce – Alaska’s Workforce Future Tikahtnu D
- Hosted by Mari Selle, Alaska Workforce Alliance
- Monica Goyette, Alaska Department of Education
- Jamie Trapp, Maritime Works/AWA
- Heidi Olson, Alaska Department of Corrections
- Casey Sifsof, Bristol Bay Native Corporation
Managing Contractors Efficiently Tikahtnu E/F
- Hosted by Alicia Amberg, Associated General Contractors
- Chris McConnell, Alaska Energy Authority
- Emily Dodge and Roland Sauermann, SGV
12:00 PM | Lunch & Strategic Planning Roundtables Tikahtnu A
Project Bundling, Regional Collaboration, & Capacity Building
- Facilitated by Nils Andreassen, Alaska Municipal League
- Judy Chapman, Alaska DOT&PF
- Laurie Wolf, Foraker Group
- Ben Mallott, AFN
1:30 PM | Moving Forward: Infrastructure Action Plans (Plenary) Tikahtnu A
Managing an Infrastructure Pipeline
- Jordan Nelson, City of Valdez
- Melanie Lucas-Conwell, Alaska Sustainable Energy Corporation
- Shelly Wade, American Planning Association, Alaska
- Brian Hirsch, Deerstone Consulting
- Erin Reinders and Iain Cranston, Alaska Municipal League
3:00 PM | Closing Remarks & Next Steps Tikahtnu A
- Nils Andreassen, Alaska Municipal League
3:30 PM | Adjournment
Logistics
Registration and Accommodation
Alaska Infrastructure Development SymposiumApril 22-24, 2025Anchorage, Dena’ina Center
Cancellations or changes must be made in writing by physical or electronic mail no later than Friday, April 11, 2025. No refunds will be made for “no-shows” or cancellations after this date. AML can not be responsible for cancellations due to weather.
Accommodation
Group rates are now expired.
Marriott Anchorage Downtown
Rooms may still be available. For any questions about accommodation, please contact the Marriott Downtown directly at (907) 279-8000.
Airfare Discount
Alaska Airlines
7% Discount Code ECMO213
To use your Discount Code, go online to alaskaair.com and input the Discount Code when searching for flights. The discount will be applied to any flights meeting the contract parameters. By clicking the “?” next to the discount code box after entering the code you may view a detailed description of the rules.
Exhibitor Registration
Companies and organizations can exhibit on Tuesday and Wednesday, April 22-23.
Questions?
Contact Sarah King at sarahk@akml.org or by phone at 907-790-5378.
Thank you to our Symposium Sponsors
Alaska Power Association
Conference Exhibitors
Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities
Alaska Aerospace Corporation
Alaska Housing Finance Corp
Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium
Alaska Remote Imaging
Alaska Works Partnership
AML Grant Writing
AML Infrastructure Survey
AML Member Services
Bristol Bay Telephone Cooperative Inc
Build Alaska’s Future
Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, DOI
Cold Climate Housing Research Center
Delta Backhaul Company
Dept.t of Public Policy and Administration, UAA
Electric Power Systems, Inc
Fulbright Arctic Initiative
HUD, Office of Field Policy & Management
Information Insights
Integrity Environmental
Indian Health Service
Intelligent Energy Systems LLC
Michael Baker International
Northern Economics Inc.
Office of Senator Murkowski
Office of the Governor
Rasmuson Foundation
RuralCAP
SGV International LLC
The Foraker Group
Upskilled Evolution
Online registration is now closed, Onsite registration will be available at the Dena'ina Center beginning Tuesday morning. Please visit the registration desk on the 3rd floor to receive your badge and purchase lunch tickets.