AOGA Appoints Bylsma as External Affairs Manager
The Alaska Oil and Gas Association is pleased to announce Rachel Bylsma as the organization’s new External Affairs Manager.
Bylsma most recently served as the director of constituent services for U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan, a role she has maintained since the senator was first elected more than six years ago. Prior to that, she served in a variety of capacities for Governor Sean Parnell, working her way up from an executive office assistant to senior policy advisor.
As AOGA’s external affairs manager, Bylsma will be responsible for the organization’s public relations, government affairs, and event management. She holds a bachelor’s from George Fox University and obtained her Master of Arts degree in public policy with an emphasis in public administration from Liberty University while working full-time for Senator Sullivan.
Current Issue
September 2026
What happens when a city with fewer than 300 residents becomes a major freight and tourism hub, despite being accessible only by boat, plane, or a one-lane highway/railroad tunnel managed on a strict schedule?
If you’re in the City of Whittier, you get busy. The city has two separate transportation planning efforts underway, including a safety action plan under the federal Safe Streets and Roads for All initiative, which focuses on improving safety for pedestrians, cyclists, motorists, and emergency responders. The second is Whittier Moves, the city’s transportation master plan, which serves as the long-term roadmap for growth.