Thank you for attending the 2026 Alaska Infrastructure Development Symposium. This event was an opportunity to learn and understand Alaska’s Infrastructure needs and challenges, networking possibilities, and planning for the future. Work together with infrastructure experts, local, state and national officials to advance and strengthen infrastructure across Alaska.

As a clearinghouse of information and planning, the Infrastructure Symposium featured updates from state and federal agencies, planning and implementation strategies, and information on reporting and compliance. Sessions will focussed on asset management, project development, and ways to overcome challenges related to the sustainability of these investments.

We look forward to seeing you at the next Infrastructure Symposium or other AML conference!

2026 Agenda

Tuesday, April 7 – Shared Priorities

Infrastructure Vendor Show Foyer

9:00 AM | Opening Session – Welcome & Symposium Goals Tikahtnu A&B

  • Lt. Governor Nancy Dahlstrom 
  • Ben Mallott, President, Alaska Federation of Natives 
  • Erin Reinders, Deputy Director, Alaska Municipal League 

9:15 AM | General Session – Infrastructure Reality Tikahtnu A&B

  • Presentations addressing key aspects of the State of Alaska Systems in the Federal Investment Era moderated by Erin Reinders, Deputy Director, Alaska Municipal League
  • Kevin Berry, Chair, Department of Economics & Public Policy, UAA 
  • Diane Hirshberg, Director, Institute of Social and Economic Research (UAA) 
  • Billy Connor, Director, Arctic Infrastructure Development Center, UAF 

10:30 AM | Break & Networking Foyer

10:45 AM | General Session – Coordination & Alignment Tikahtnu A&B

  • Panel discussion on shared priorities and working together, facilitated by Erin Baldwin Day, Municipality of Anchorage Assembly Member 
  • Ben Mallott, President, Alaska Federation of Natives 
  • Curtis McQueen, Executive Director, Alaska Native Village Corporation Association (ANVCA) 
  • Cassidi Cameron, Executive Director, Kenai Peninsula Economic Development District (KPEDD) 
  • Heather Harris, Interim Vice President of Programs, The Foraker Group 
  • Matt Mead, Attorney, Landey Bennette Blumstein 
  • Nils Andreassen, Executive Director, Alaska Municipal League 

12:00 PM | Networking & Lunch Foyer

12:30 PM | Concurrent Topical Talks & Workshops

  • Workforce Capacity Across Infrastructure Systems Topical Talk Tikahtnu A&B
    Moderated by Melody Nibeck, Senior Community Resilience Manager, AML
    • Mari Selle, Executive Director, Alaska Workforce Alliance (AWA) 
    • Dirk Craft, Director, Alaska Workforce Investment Board (AWIB) 
    • Paloma Harbour, Director, Division of Employment and Training Services, State of Alaska
    • Zach Stenson, Pathfinder Solutions AK 
  • Connecting Alaska: Long-Range Transportation Plan 2055 Engagement Tikahtnu D
    Facilitated by Irene Gallion, Transportation Planner, AML
    • Sara Lucey, Statewide Planning Chief, DOT&PF 
  • Infrastructure Standards & Coordinated Application Topical Talk Tikahtnu E
    Moderated by Ren Scott, Program Coordinator, AML
    • Matt Labrenz, Forrest Products Specialist, UAF Cooperative Extension Service 
    • Patrick Kim, Energy Specialist, AHFC 
    • Ethan Stoops, Energy Program Information Manager, AHFC 

1:45 PM | Break & Networking

2:00 PM | Concurrent Topical Talks & Workshops

  • Asset Foundations & Shared Stewardship Workshop Tikahtnu A&B
    Moderated by Erin Reinders, Deputy Director, AML
    • Stephanie McGavin, Junior Planner, Alaska Municipal League 
    • Maggie Lenhart, Resilience Coordinator, Alaska Municipal League 
  • Transportation Project Delivery Topical Talk Tikahtnu D
    Moderated by Britta Hamre, Senior Transportation & Land Use Manager, AML
    • Peter Simons, Director (Acting) Office of Port Infrastructure Development, MARAD 
    • Nikki Navio, Transportation Program Manager, Denali Commission 
    • Andrew White, Regional Road Engineer, BIA 
  • Broadband Infrastructure & Regional Connectivity Topical Talk Tikahtnu E
    Moderated by Justin Schuster
Wednesday, April 8 – Shared Work

8AM to 6PM | Alaska Impact Days Tikahtnu C

Infrastructure Vendor Show Foyer

10AM – 12:30PM | Boardroad Cohort Meetings (by invitation only) K’enakatnu 6

9:00 AM | General Session – Aligning Priorities with Capacity & Delivery Tikahtnu A&B

  • Panel discussion facilitated by Francine Moreno, Director of Rural Utility Management Services, ANTHC (confirmed):
  • Jocelyn Fenton, Director of Programs, Denali Commission
  • Judy Chapman, Deputy Director of Planning, DOT&PF
  • Nolan Klouda, Policy Director, Municipality of Anchorage
  • Dempsey Thieman, President, PND Engineers
  • Gene McGabe, Division of Water Director, DEC

10:30 AM | Break & Networking

10:45 AM | Concurrent Topical Talks & Workshops

  • Infrastructure Investment & Housing Utility Funding Topical Talk Tikahtnu A&BModerated by Taylor Asher, Community Energy Manager, AML
    • IIJA Project Funding and Updates
    • Cody Uhlig, DEHE Lead Engineering Project Manager, ANTHC
    • Kalen Stamp, DEHE Engineering Project Manager V, ANTHC
    • How to Fund Water/Sewer for Various Housing
    • Cody Uhlig, DEHE Lead Engineering Project Manager, ANTHC
    • Kalen Stamp, DEHE Engineering Project Manager V, ANTHC
    • Griffin Hagle-Forster, Executive Director, Association of Alaska Housing Authorities
  • Meaningful Engagement for Infrastructure Delivery Workshop Tikahtnu D Facilitated by Britta Hamre, Senior Transportation & Land Use Manager, AML
    • Stephanie McGavin, Program Coordinator, AML
    • Hannah Atkinson, Community Engagement Coordinator, AML
  • Risk & Critical Infrastructure Coordination Topical Talk Tikahtnu E Moderated by Danielle Meeker, Resilience Planning Coordinator, AML
    • Bethany Follett, President, Alaska Emergency Management Association (AKEMA)
    • Jeff McKenzie, State Training Officer, Alaska State Department of Homeland Security & Emergency Management

12:00 PM | Networking & Lunch Foyer

12:30 PM | Concurrent Topical Talks & Workshops

  • Emergency Preparedness, Community Health & Climate Topical Talk Tikahtnu A&B Moderated by Danielle Meeker, Resilience Planning Coordinator, AML
    • Emergency Preparedness
      • James Benzschawel, DEHE Emergency Preparedness Program Manager III, ANTHC
    • Contaminated Sites/Brownfields
      • Bailey Richards, DEHE Contaminated Sites Program Manager III, ANTHC
    • Climate Initiatives Program
      • Jacqualine Schaeffer, DEHE Climate Initiative’s Director, ANTHC
      • Falcon Chase, DEHE Climate Initiatives Climate Adaptation Project Manager III, ANTHC
      • Abby Nelson, DEHE Climate Initiatives Public Health Program Specialist III, ANTHC
  • From Priorities to Buildable Projects Topical Talk Tikahtnu D Moderated by Melody Nibeck, Senior Community Resilience Manager, AML
    • Craig Fredeen, President & Principal Mechanical Engineer, Cold Climate Engineering (confirmed)
    • Daniel Nichols, Director, Civil Engineer, Kuna Engineering
    • Pat Cotter, Community Planning Strategist, RESPEC
  • Keeping the Lights On: Energy Planning & Sustainability Topical Talk Tikahtnu E Moderated by Justin Schuster, Senior Energy Manager, AML
    • Chris McConnell, Rural Programs Manager, AEA
    • Keith Hanneman, Project Manager, UAF Institute of Northern Engineering
    • Eddie Dellamary, Rural Energy Manager, Tanana Chiefs Conference
    • Bill Stamm, President/CEO, AVEC

12:30 – 4 PM | Thriving Communities Cohort Meetings (by invitation only) K’enakatnu 6

1:45 PM | Break & Networking Foyer

2:00 PM | Concurrent Topical Talks & Workshops

  • Utility Sustainability & Rural Energy Planning Topical Talk Tikahtnu A&B Moderated by Maggie Lenhart, Resilience Coordinator, Alaska Municipal League
    • Planning and developing energy projects to improve affordability of water utilities
    • Dustin Madden, DEHE Rural Energy Sr. Manager, ANTHC
    • Water/Sanitation Sustainability Planning, Reserve Accounts, Utility Rates & Studies
    • Chris Cox, DEHE ARUC’s Business Manager, ANTHC
    • Lynn Kenealy, Local Government Assistance & Rural Utility Business Advisor Manager, DCRA
  • Regional Working Tables – Coordinating Systems & Capacity Workshop Tikahtnu D Facilitated by Britta Hamre, Senior Transportation & Land Use Manager, AML
    • Sarah Lukin, AFN ARTIC Project Lead, Lukin Advisory Group
    • Erin Reinders, Deputy Director, AML
    • Justin Schuster, Senior Energy Manager, AML
    • Melody Nibeck, Senior Community Resilience Manager, AML
  • Infrastructure Risk, Liability & Insurance Strategy Topical Talk Tikahtnu E Moderated by Trisha Sims, Stakeholder Engagement Manager, AML
    • Brennan Hickok, Director of Operations, Alaska Public Risk Alliance (APRA)
    • Cole Cummins, Risk Management Consultant, Alaska Public Risk Alliance

3:15 PM | Break & Networking Foyer

3:30 PM | General Session – Daily Synthesis & ARTIC Highlights Tikahtnu A&B

  • Sarah Lukin, AFN ARTIC Project Lead, Lukin Advisory Group

4:00 PM | Adjourn

Thursday, April 9 – Shared Resources

Federal Grant Symposium Foyer

8:30 AM to 4 PM | Alaska Impact Days Tikahtnu C

8:30 AM | HR Leaders Community of Practice (by invitation only) K’enakatnu 6

9:00 AM | Morning Welcome – Congressman Nick Begich Tikahtnu A&B

9:15 AM | General Session – Aligning Resources with Coordinated Plans & Action Tikahtnu A&B

  • Panel discussion, facilitated by Jocelyn Fenton, Denali Commission:
  • Laurie Wolf, President, The Foraker Group 
  • Wanetta Ayers, Executive Director, Southwest Alaska Municipal Conference (SWAMC) 
  • Robert Venables, Executive Director, Southeast Conference (SEC) 
  • Joie Millett, Community Development Program Director, RurAL CAP 
  • Tasha Pineda, Chief Program Officer, Rasmuson Foundation 
  • Desiree Jackson, Senior Fellow, Alaska Community Foundation 

10:15 AM | Break & Networking Foyer

10:30 AM | Concurrent Updates & Workshops

  • Federal Agency Program Updates Tikahtnu A&B
    • MARAD – Port Infrastructure Development Program, US Marine Highway Program, and Small Shipyard Grant Program (confirmed) – Peter Simons
    • US DOE, Office of Indian Energy – Sandy Pagan, IE Tribal Energy Navigator 
  • Grant Investment Pathway Workshop – From Opportunity to Award Tikahtnu D
    • Rachel Morse, Senior Director of Operations, Alaska Municipal League 
    • Mary Hoffman, Grant Program Manager, Alaska Municipal League 
  • Nature-Based Solutions Workshop – Concepts, Context & Opportunities Tikahtnu E
    • Danielle Meeker, Resilience Planning Coordinator, Alaska Municipal League 
    • KC Kent, Civil Engineer, HDR Engineering 

12:00 PM | Networking & Lunch Foyer

12:30 PM | Concurrent Updates & Workshops

  • State Agency Program Updates Tikahtnu A&B
    • Department of Natural Resources – ACORN Project – Erik Oppegard
    • Department of Environmental Conservation – Brownfields
    • Department of Transportation – Ice Roads, Rec Trails, and Winter Trails – Rebecca Garrett
    • Department of Transportation – Planning Updates – Sarah Cripe
    • Alaska Energy Authority – Curtis Thayer
  • Grant Investment Pathway Workshop – From Award to Impact Tikahtnu D
    • Rachel Morse, Senior Director of Operations, Alaska Municipal League 
    • Mary Hoffman, Grant Program Manager, Alaska Municipal League 
  • Nature-Based Solutions Workshop – Applied Examples Tikahtnu E
    • Danielle Meeker, Resilience Planning Coordinator, Alaska Municipal League 
    • KC Kent, Civil Engineer, HDR Engineering 

2:00 PM | Break & Networking Foyer

2:15 PM | Closing Session – Sustaining Momentum Tikahtnu A&B

  • Senator Lisa Murkowski
  • Nils Andreassen, Executive Director, Alaska Municipal League

3:00 PM | Federal Grant Symposium Wrap up Foyer

4:00 PM | Adjournment