Changes to the Leadership Team at MTA
MTA is celebrating several promotions in its leadership team.
Ryan Ponder
MTA
Ryan Ponder has been promoted to Vice President of Legal, Regulatory, and Government Affairs. His previous title was Director of Legal and Regulatory Affairs; in his new position, Ponder continues to advance MTA’s tribal and government relations strategies. Ponder is dedicated to navigating the complex regulatory landscape, and his leadership has enabled his team to excel.
Carin Yeh
MTA
Carin Yeh, previously a Grants Officer, is promoted to Manager of Grants and Regulatory Affairs. Since joining MTA, Yeh has demonstrated an exceptional level of expertise and dedication to ensuring MTA’s regulatory compliance. The co-op says her new leadership role will yield opportunities to make positive impacts on the telecom regulatory environment.
Jess Gilbert
MTA
Jess Gilbert has been promoted to Director of Marketing and Communications, after serving as Corporate Communications Manager since 2019. In this new role, Gilbert will continue to empower her teams while overseeing marketing along with all external and internal communications at MTA, including initiatives involving the MTA Foundation and MTA Gaming.
Current Issue
October 2025
New Generation of Environmental and Marketing Talent at Nortech
Environmental Professional Megan Smoot and Marketing Assistant MJ Johnson are new to the Nortech team in Alaska.
Alaska Pacific Beverage Company Taps New GM
Jaime Jurado is promoted to General Manager of Alaska Pacific Beverage Company, the production facility for 49th State Brewing, Arctic Roots Cider, and Frontier Alaska Soda.
Energy Veteran Returns to Alaska as HEX CFO
Michael R. Koy, a former mineral economist with BP in Anchorage, returns to Alaska as the CFO for the HEX family of companies.
As we have annually since 1985, we are again celebrating the Top 49ers, local Alaska companies ranked by gross revenue. These home-grown companies participate in all of the state’s major industries, generate more than $28 billion in gross revenue, and employ more than 24,000 Alaskans. The special section holds not only the official 2025 Top 49ers ranks but also highlights of their activities, their plans for the future, and other exciting content. Enjoy!