EDUCATION & NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES FOR RIGHT-OF-WAY PROFESSIONALS IN ALASKA.

IRWA SOURDOUGH CHAPTER 49 SCHEDULE & ANNOUNCEMENTS

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

ANNOUNCEMENTS

COMMITTEE UPDATES

SEE “EDUCATION” PAGE FOR MORE CLASS or LUNCH & LEARN DETAILS

71ST ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION CONFERENCE 2025 VIRGINIA BEACH, VA, JUNE 1-4, 2025

2025 REGION 7 SPRING FORUM APRIL 9-11, ISLAND EMPIRE, CHAPTER 19

WE HAVE MORE CLASSES COMING, A FALL SEMINAR AND OTHER EVENTS IN THE WORKS, SO STAY TUNED AND WATCH THE CALENDAR AS WE DIAL IN THE DETAILS.

2025 ANNUAL MEMBER MEETING AT DOWL STATE OF THE CHAPTER ADDRESS COME VOTE MAY 21, 2025, NOON TO 1PM 8 CHANCES 2 WIN FREE CLASS OR MEMBERSHIP

NEW! NOTICE OF FHWA POSTING OF UNIFORM ACT REDLINE CHANGES BETWEEN 2005 AND 2024, SEE OUR RESOURCES PAGE FOR MORE.

NEW!! JOB POSTING

CHAPTER 49 MEMBERSHIP PINS ARE IN SEE CLAIRE MUELLER AT OUR NEXT LUNCH & LEARN OR SPECIAL EVENT TO COLLECT YOURS. HELP US BUILD THE LEGEND AND DISPLAY YOUR PIN PROUDLY.

ALASKA INDUSTRIAL HARDWARE SUPPORTS CHAPTER 49. MEMBERS NOW ENJOY A VARIABLE DISCOUNT DEPENDING ON PURCHASE.

  • SAVE THE DATE May 21, 2025, Noon to 1 PM at DOWL for our Annual Members Meeting where we will vote for our next slate of officers to lead our board of directors. Members will enjoy an opportunity to win 1 of 8 International Incentive ChIP’s worth your choice of a one-day IRWA course or a one-year membership.

    Don't forget our annual "Engagement Drawing" for a free membership. All you have to do is engage by showing up and signing in to lunch & learn presentations & special chapter events.

    General Members are always welcome to attend and participate in board or committee meetings as we love to hear from those we serve.

    Keep an eye on the calendar and check back regularly for updates, job announcements, ROW resources, and more.

    Feel free to contact mychael.alfaro@alaska.gov with website issues, feedback, ideas, etc.

  • As always, to keep our chapter strong and resilient, we are looking for dynamic IRWA Member ROW professionals to serve as executive board officers, committee chairs, and/or strategic planning members.

    Come talk to one of us, you might be surprised how little free time it takes to make a HUGE impact on your chapter or how much more you can get out of it than what you put in.

    We still need a Chairperson for

    • the Nominations & Elections Committee,

    • the Young Professionals Committee,

    • the Programs Committee, and

    • the Communication & Outreach Committee.

    Please talk to any of us (see leadership page) if you are interested in any of the great opportunities above.

    Thank you to all our amazingly dedicated and talented member volunteers, without whom we could not sustain the awesome momentum we are enjoying.

  • Our Education and Professional Development Chairs (PDC) have been working hard to bring members a steady and wide range of course selections. They are also working on courses required for the RWA, RWP, & SR/WA designations. If you are interested in completing course work for the above designations, please reach out to your PDC chair.

  • Our Chapter has inspired 94 members to join or renew their membership. This is news to celebrate. Well done members!!

    Don't forget to Renew your Membership for 2025. A 90% Member renewal for 2025 earns our Chapter an additional "5 Chips".

    Please note that International has voted to raise the cost of annual membership by $10 this year and $10 again next year.

    Attend Chapter 49’s Annual Member Meeting, May TBD, 2025, to vote in our next Executive Board Officer’s. We will celebrate together and enjoy 8 chances to win a FREE IRWA One-Day Course. In addition, by signing in, you are automatically entered into our annual Engagement Drawing.

    Email Paula Brault with membership questions.

CELEBRATING OUR MEMBERS

  • Our members work hard to gain and maintain their IRWA credentialing through continuing education to provide exceptional on-the-job working knowledge and ethical standards.

    Let’s take a moment to acknowledge and celebrate their efforts in supporting our Chapter, our Alaska ROW family, and the neighborhoods in which we all live.

    WELL DONE EVERYBODY!!

    NEW SR/WA’s

    Liz Silvernale, SR/WA

    George Stefan, SR/WA

    Cynthia Coughlin, SR/WA-EU

    SR/WA Re-Certifications

    Tammie Simmons, SR/WA

    Cynthia Coughlin, SR/WA

    Fred Mortimer, SR/WA

    Lee Ault, SR/WA

    Marjorie Bellringer, SR/WA

    SR/WA Candidates

    Martha Robinson (passed SR/WA Exam)

    Chelsey Okonek

    Owen Dicks

    Manny Lopez

    Sterling Lopez

    New RWP Credentials

    Samuel Philips, RWP

    New RWA Credentials

    Cayla Ronken, RWA

    Michelle Olsen, RWA

    Scott Huff, RWA

    Mark Whisenhunt, RWA

    Holly Sparrow, RWA-GN

  • Chapter 49 needs the valuable assistance a course coordinator provides to offer such great course experiences for our participants.

    Members may become certified course coordinators and Chapter 49 will pay tuition for that coordinator to attend the same course as appreciation for managing the class needs.

  • Chapter 49’s member count has grown to 90 members.

    Please welcome the newest additions to our Right of Way community…

    Hannah Nelson, Matanuska Electric Association

    Serena Stout, HDR

    Kevin Kelly, University of Alaska

    Cindy Landreth, DOT&PF

    Jason Ortiz, Mat-Su Borough

    Peter Burton, Mat-Su Borough

    Suzanne Reilly, Mat-Su Borough

    Ana Rodriguez, DOT&PF

    Jeenean Ferkinhoff, DOT&PF

    New Member Application

    If you know anyone who would benefit from joining our chapter, please refer them to our Membership Chair, Paula Brault, SR/WA at pbrault@dowl.com.

  • From the nominations submitted, your Chapter 49 Nominations & Elections chair and select board members reviewed each application and chose the following winners:

    2024 Employer of the Year, to be announced at the January 31, 2025, Awards Gala.

    2024 Project of the Year, to be announced at the January 31, 2025, Awards Gala.

    2024 Professional of the Year, to be announced at the January 31, 2025, Awards Gala.