Get to know our Arctic Energy Ambassadors. Here’s the stories of Laressa Syverson, Ambassador for the Aleutian region, Robert Venables, Ambassador for Southeast, Reuben Brown, Ambassador for the Chugach region, and Leann Sommer, Ambassador for Ahtna region.
April 5, 2024
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Get to know four of our devoted Arctic Energy Ambassadors. The Arctic Energy Ambassadors are passionate, community-focused communicators from Alaska’s Arctic territories who have been selected for a two-year term, during which they will develop regional, place-based, and collaborative energy leadership in Alaska, along with resources and knowledge-sharing in alignment with the U.S. Department of Energy’s Arctic Strategy and the clean energy transition. You can read more about the program here.
Each Ambassador has a different story and brings something unique to the team. We are so excited to work with them towards realizing their goals for each of their regions. Here’s the stories of Laresa Syverson, Ambassador for the Aleutian region, Robert Venables, Ambassador for Southeast Alaska, Reuben Brown, Ambassador for the Chugach region, and Leann Sommer, Ambassador for the Ahtna region.
Meet Laresa Syverson, the Arctic Energy Ambassador for the Aleutian Region
Laresa has a fine arts degree and currently works for the Ounalashka Corporation. As Ounalashka Corporation’s Technical Lands Manager, Laresa does a little bit of everything. Lately, she’s been working with the security team to make sure no one damages or trespasses on their project work sites. Through this collaboration, she has learned quite a bit about the importance of security, safety, and communication for project development. Laresa is most proud of Ounalashka Corporation’s geothermal project and their commitment to cleaning up WWII contamination left on their lands.
Though Laresa was not born in Alaska, she has spent most of her life in the Aleutian region after her family moved there from Washington. She loved growing up in Alaska and considers herself lucky to have access to the opportunities (and seafood) available in her community. After receiving her degree, Laresa spent some time in Canada participating in a language revitalization program. Language is very important to Laresa, and she now teaches a Thursday class on the Unangam Tunuu language.
Laresa wanted to become an Ambassador so she could learn more about what it takes to bring energy projects to the table. She wants to know how the Ambassadors can best support communities and find appropriate funding for them through different departments. Her main goal is to get familiar with each region’s main projects and she looks forward to seeing which of those projects her own region can use. Laresa is excited to talk about project organization and can’t wait to use her strong listening skills to absorb the knowledge and information of other regions.
Meet Robert Venables, the Arctic Energy Ambassador for the Southeast Alaska Region
Robert has over twenty years of experience in community and economic development planning and currently works with Southeast Conference. At Southeast Conference, Robert has learned how crucial partnerships and planning are to any organization or project. He is most proud of the mentorship he has been able to provide young professionals more than the big projects he has helped to complete. For Robert, receiving a thank you note from someone he’s been affiliated with is the highlight of his work.
Robert came to Alaska as a young man and didn’t intend to be there for the rest of his life. However, after falling in love with the landscape and environment in Haines, Robert decided to live and raise a family in Alaska. He loves the small rural town where people know each other and care for each other. Now living in Juneau, Robert firmly believes that there’s no more beautiful place than Southeast Alaksa on a sunny day.
Robert became an Ambassador to leverage opportunities from the government for his region. He has been involved in some degree with the DOE for many years, so he wants to use his experience in energy planning to make a difference in this new role. Robert doesn’t want to see dollars spent; he wants to see them invested into the needs of Alaskan communities. He looks forward to using his planning and partnership skills to advise, inform, and guide investments in the state.
Meet Reuben Brown, the Arctic Energy Ambassador for the Chugach Region
Reuben has a degree in mechanical engineering and works for Prince William Sound Economic Development District (PWSEDD). Though he’s a new hire, Reuben has already learned much about PWSEDD and its abundance of resources. There have been some hurdles to jump through to get projects going at PWSEDD, but Reuben is excited about the challenge and has enjoyed seeing the planning process in action.
Reuben grew up in Cordova and lives there today, moving back to Alaska after spending the last decade living throughout Colorado and Oregon. He loves having access to the outdoors and enjoys fishing and hunting in the summer. Though he has some complaints about the weather, Reuben loves the natural beauty of his home region.
Reuben has always been interested in energy, and after evaluating other DOE programs such as the Boost Program run by Sandia National Laboratories and the Office of Technology Transitions, he decided to become an Ambassador. With his recent employment at PWSEDD, Reuben has access to great ideas and information, and believes the Ambassador program is a great opportunity to share those ideas and meet peers. His main goals as an Ambassador are to broaden the professional base for future projects and learn about energy challenges in other communities. Reuben has great technical and hands-on knowledge, and he can’t wait to form relationships with other Ambassadors and their communities.
Meet Leann Sommer, the Arctic Energy Ambassador for the Ahtna Region
Leann has a background in business administration with a concentration in tourism and hospitality management. She has been working for the Alaska Federation of Natives since June 2023 as a Navigator for the Ahtna region, and has learned a lot about the grant/funding process. Leann uses this knowledge to find resources and opportunities for the tribes in her region, especially to help those who perform multiple roles in one town.
Leann is an Alaskan Native born in Fairbanks and raised in Galena. Having grown up in a small village, she appreciates family and her region’s environment. Ahtna’s landscape and people who live there are dear to her heart, she knows them as hard workers and go-getters.
Leann joined the Ambassador team because she wanted to connect rural Alaska to energy opportunities like those offered by the U.S. Department of Energy. Her goals are to create dialogue between the region and the U.S. Department of Energy and Alaska Municipal League (the organization managing this initiative) and find ways to rephrase funding applications so that rural communities can take advantage of the application process. Leann’s three main strengths are communication, positivity, and consistency; she looks forward to using these skills to meet people, learn more about energy, and connect her community to energy opportunities.
Valerie Gorden
Valerie Gorden is the Arctic Energy Office’s Spring 2024 intern. She is studying Atmospheric and Oceanic Science at the University of Maryland and is passionate about energy, ice, and the Arctic! Outside of school and her internship, Valerie enjoys hiking, drawing, playing video games, and hanging out with friends.