ALMR Advisory Group Members Appointed

(Juneau, AK) – Commissioner Annette Kreitzer today announced the appointment of the members of the Alaska Land Mobil Radio (ALMR) Advisory Group.  The volunteer Advisory Group was formed to help guide the ALMR project through the final phases of ALMR project implementation to operations and maintenance by June 30, 2008. 

The group will review the ALMR project and make recommendations to the Department of Administration regarding the State’s role in the ALMR project which are consistent with general industry standards and represent the best value possible to Alaskans.

Commissioner Kreitzer appointed James Christopher Brown, Donald May, Gregory Pearce, Barbara Pittman and Matthew Sweetman to the ALMR Advisory Group. 

Brown, of Anchorage, is the Chief Operating Officer at AT&T Alascom.  He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering from the University of South Florida and a Master of Business Administration degree from Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia.  Brown is a 30-year veteran of the telecommunications and high technology arenas and has managerial experience in firms, large and small, from start-ups to long-standing enterprises. 

May, of Anchorage, is Controller for Kuukpik Corporation and is responsible for internal and external financial reporting, business analysis, treasury functions and for all accounting activity for the ANCSA Village Corporation located on the North Slope.  May has 25 years of experience in telecommunications and general utility finance, accounting, regulation and public policy.  He has served as a public utility commissioner for the State of Alaska.  He holds an MBA from the Yale University School of management and is a licensed CPA and CMA.  

Pearce, of Chugiak, is Vice President and General Manager of Commercial Services for GCI, and is responsible for the profit and loss financial results of GCI’s business products and services.  Pearce earned a bachelor’s degree in computer science and electrical engineering from the United States Marine Academy at West Point and served as a Captain and Lieutenant for company officer level communications support for the US Army in Alaska. 

Pittman, of Anchorage, is the Alaska IT Manager of Major Projects for BP.  This position provides strategic direction for the Alaska Strategic Performance Unit and Service Delivery Organizations.  She earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Texas Tech University in Secondary Education.  Pittman worked as Senior Network administrator and Project Manager for BP in Texas before moving to Alaska in 2000.

Sweetman, of Anchorage, is Project Manager for Technology Projects at the Alaska Railroad Corporation and is the owner/operator of blueWIRE Technologies, LLC, in Anchorage.  He is a certified Project Management Professional with 15 years of technology experience including, software development, business process engineering, hardware integration, and business development.

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Media Contact:  Carol Beecher (907) 269-6293