GM, Director of Experience Hired for The Wildbirch Hotel
Photo Credit: The Wildbirch Hotel
Building upon its grand opening this summer, The Wildbirch Hotel in Downtown Anchorage welcomed two new members to its leadership team.
Patrick Faas
Photo Credit: The Wildbirch Hotel
Patrick Faas has been named General Manager. Faas is an accomplished hospitality executive with more than thirty-five years of leadership experience across luxury resorts, boutique hotels, and high-volume properties in the United States and the Caribbean. He has overseen multi-million-dollar operations, guided properties through renovations and transformations, and delivered annual revenues exceeding $100 million. Earlier in his career, he launched two innovative dining concepts, Osaka Nouveaux in Las Vegas and E.B.I Sushi & More in St. Petersburg, Florida. Born and raised in the Netherlands, Faas moved to the United States at 21, bringing a European foundation that blends structure, refinement, and creativity with the warmth of American hospitality.
Current Issue
December 2025
Susynn Snyder
Photo Credit: The Wildbirch Hotel
A lifelong Alaskan joins the team as Director of Experience. Susynn Snyder brings more than a decade of hands-on experience in the local hospitality and event industries. In this role, Snyder curates on-property programming while developing concierge services through The Wildbirch Hotel’s Adventure Desk. Before joining The Wildbirch Hotel team, she held key roles at some of Anchorage’s most recognized venues, event production companies, and restaurants—including sister establishments Williwaw Social, Humpy’s Great Alaskan Alehouse, and Flattop Pizza + Pool—where she focused on creating standout guest experiences, producing large-scale events, and cultivating strong relationships across the city’s dynamic food, beverage, and entertainment scenes.
Leadership Promotions and Additions at Mt. McKinley Bank
Mt. McKinley Bank promoted Kristie Dickerson, Lisa Smeltzer, and Evan Wilken, and veteran employee Annie Scott returns to bank leadership after stepping away to run a Montessori school.
Interim Boss Announced at Alaska Center for the Performing Arts
The nonprofit that operates the Alaska Center for the Performing Arts selected Kathy Cronen as Interim President and COO upon the departure of Codie Costello.
Santos Manager Steps Up to Lead Alaska Oil and Gas Association
The successor for Kara Moriarty as President and CEO of the Alaska Oil and Gas Association is Steve Wackowski, her predecessor as Senior Advisor for Alaskan Affairs at the US Department of the Interior.
Also in this issue: building a company and planning an exit strategy; several ESOPs, and UAS’ foray into a new model for tuition. Enjoy!