Staff

Toby Smith, Executive Director

 (907)274-3656/ toby@akcenter.org

Toby grew up in Maryland and graduated from the University of Maryland with a Bachelor of Science in zoology and several years of pre-veterinary experience. Toby worked in the Denali National Park region for eight years as a Program Director and Operations Director with the Denali Education Center, a campus-based non-profit that operates various youth camps and adult educational opportunities. In 2006 Toby moved to Anchorage and joined the Alaska Conservation Foundation as the Director of Finance and Operations, allowing him to become more attuned to Alaskan conservation issues.

In 2008 he completed his MBA degree through the University of Maryland’s award-winning distance education program, and continues to serve as Treasurer and Secretary of the Denali Education Center’s Board of Directors.

Toby’s passions for education, conservation and non-profit management will be well served as he eagerly looks forward to helping lead ACE into the next decade.

Butch Allen, Oceans Organizer

(907) 274-3647 / butch@akcenter.org

Butch Allen washed ashore on the ACE doorstep at the beginning of 2005. As ACE’s Ocean Organizer he works to build support for Alaska’s ocean environment through a summer Oceans Festival and a Winter Oceans Film Festival, as well as ongoing marine advocacy work.

Butch grew up in rural south Louisiana and migrated to Alaska 6 years ago to start up a service company. His love of organizing and the outdoors led him and some friends to create the HAMMER, an Alaskan adventure race. After organizing 8 such events, he was ready to organize large events for ACE. Teaching, coaching, and glacier guiding have all helped round out his "road-less-traveled" approach to employment.

Time away from ACE finds him enjoying the Alaska backcountry by foot or by pack raft. He enjoys introducing Alaska's nooks and crannies to fellow friends and the his trips usually lead to preposterous misadventures. When he needs to recuperate between trips he hides out in a small cabin in Chickaloon.

Thomas Burek, Trailside Discovery Director

(907) 274-3669 / trailside@akcenter.org

Thomas Burek has been working with ACE since the summer of 1996 as the Trailside Discovery Camp Director. He is responsible for overall management, strategic planning, administration, program development, marketing, and edutainment. During his tenure at TDC, he has worked to expand the program from 250 campers annually to over 1700.

Prior to serving as TDC director, Thomas worked for the Detroit YMCA as the environmental education, summer camp & Tri Gra-Y director. He graduated with a Bachelors degree in Park & Recreation Management from Eastern Michigan University, in Ypsilanti, Michigan.

Thomas is  is the Alaska state representative for the American Camp Association. He is an avid sprint musher and you can find him playing in his 8-dog kennel or mushing out on the Willow Creek trail system in Willow.

Jessica Cler, Membership Director

(907) 274-3647 / jessica@akcenter.org
Jessica began working with ACE during its 2006 field canvass and is now the Membership Director.  As the Membership Director, Jessica oversees the membership fundraising, outreach, volunteer and special events programs.

She is originally from Wasilla, AK, but enjoyed stays in Idaho and Nova Scotia while in college.  She graduated with a BA in Political Science and minors in Environmental Studies and French from the University of Alaska Anchorage in 2006.

In her spare time Jessica enjoys hiking, yoga, traveling, reading, and anything that takes her outside.

Valerie Connor, Forest Conservation Director

(907) 274-3662 / valerie@akcenter.org

Valerie moved to Alaska in 1982 after receiving a B.S. in Environmental Planning and Management from UC Davis, California. After a brief stint as a “Spit Rat” in Homer she moved across Kachemak Bay to a remote location accessible only by water.  There she learned the trade of wooden boat building, ran a water taxi, and refined the art of lifting and carrying heavy objects.

Returning to Homer in 1999, Valerie spent the next several years building a house and becoming a community organizer and activist.  This work eventually led her to the Alaska Center for the Environment, where she is happily devoting herself to being an advocate for the environment. As the Chugach Campaign Coordinator, she is responsible for educating and organizing ACE members and the general public in support of protecting the Chugach National Forest and leading a campaign to identify and protect key areas of the Chugach.

Valerie has traveled extensively, loves to hike and view wildlife, is an avid reader, and a supporter of the arts.  She currently resides in Anchorage with her husband and dog.

SaraEllen Hutchison, Sustainable Communities Program Manager

(907) 274 -3632 / saraellen@akcenter.org 

SaraEllen first moved to Alaska in July 2005 to find the healthy way of life that she was missing in big lower 48 cities. She has a diverse background in practicing law and performing arts. Having seen some of the worst urban problems by attending law school in Atlanta and defending people charged with crimes in Anchorage, SaraEllen believes that our urban environment affects everyone.

When she's not working for recycling and sustainable growth, she enjoys dancing, running, and skiing.

Geoffrey McCann, Outreach Director for Trailside Discovery

(907) 274-3616 / geo@akcenter.org

Geoffrey “Geo” McCann first came to ACE in 2005 when he hopped aboard the Trailside train as a summer environmental education instructor.  Hailing from the great state of Georgia, Geo gained an appreciation for the natural world through an array of family outings and Scout trips throughout the eastern U.S.  Shortly after graduating from the University of Georgia with a BS in Biology and a BS in Psychology, Geo found his calling in life at Rock Eagle 4-H Center where he commenced his career in environmental education, blending together his love of nature with his passion for education and desire to inspire youth.

Presently Geo serves as Outreach Director for Trailside Discovery – expanding the scope of environmental education opportunities for children in the Anchorage and Mat-Su school districts.  During the school year, Geo focuses on program development and fundraising.  In the summertime he takes on the role of Program Manager for Trailside Discovery’s camp in Anchorage.

In his spare time, Geo delights in exploring new trails by foot, touring about town by bike, playing guitar, or hanging with his favorite lady, Angela.

Jessie Lazar, Membership and Campaign Coordinator

(907)-274-3640/ j.lazar@akcenter.org

Jessica first became involved with ACE as a Trailside Camper at the age of 6.  When she was too old to attend camp she decided to graduate to the role of counselor.   Since then she has worn many hats at ACE including an internship with the Forest Conservation program and she now works as the Membership and Campaign Coordinator.  As the Membership Coordinator and Campaign Coordinator, Jessica oversees ACE’s direct contact with members through door-to-door and phone outreach, as well as coordinating campaigns between program staff and outreach.

Jessica grew up in Anchorage but left to travel and attend Lewis & Clark College in Portland, Oregon.  In spring of 2007 Jessica graduated with a BA in Environmental Studies. 

When Jessica is not on the phone or in the field she enjoys gardening, hiking, skiing, playing music, and scheming about her next adventure.  She also has a passion for replacing lawns with edible plants.  If you want to trade in your grass for strawberry plants or potatoes she is ready to help!  

Mikayla Saito, Communications Coordinator

(907) 274-3650 / mikayla@akcenter.org

Mikayla began working for ACE the summer of 2007 as the public lands intern and returned to ACE as the Juneau Watchdog. Her current position as Communication Coordinator entails maintaining and updating ACE's fabulous website, preparing and sending the infamous E-Weekly, and providing additional staff support to the ACE team. 

She grew up all around state with a significant amount of time spent in rural areas. A graduate of the University of Alaska Fairbanks she earned a bachelors degree in Political Science in 2006 and a Masters in Global Environmental Policy in 2008.

When Mikayla isn’t working she enjoys hiking, biking and an occasional game of foosball or horseshoes with her best friend Brenton.

Doug Tosa, GIS Analyst

(907)-274-3639/ doug@akcenter.org

Doug Tosa comes to us from the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, where he spent his free time exploring, sailing, hiking and biking.  Doug has more than three years in the GIS industry. His experience includes data collection, editing, and publication of maps. Doug is also trained in search and rescue, CPR and emergency outdoor medicine, making him an asset in the field as well as in the office. 

Doug attended Northern Michigan University where he developed a fascination and respect for the north woods.  Exploring and venturing into the outdoors Doug naturally became interested in maps.  He graduated from Northern Michigan University with a Physical Geography degree with a concentration in Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and American History.

Dwayne Lee, Financial Director

(907) 274-3677 / dwayne@akcenter.org

Dwayne is responsible for reporting the financial functions of ACE. He does all of the day to day accounting, processes payroll, and accounts payable. Dwayne works closely with the Executive Director and the Board of Directors to provide financial information, various reports, budgetary information and other projects as assigned by the ED.

Prior to working for ACE, Dwayne worked full time in a CPA office, has taught accounting and business courses full time at Duluth Business University, and part time at four other universities. In addition, Dwayne completed a 28-year career in managing retail stores for a national chain.

Dwayne moved to Alaska from Wisconsin in 2001, has a Bachelor of Accounting degree from the University of Minnesota and passed the CPA examination in 1990. He is also an adjunct professor of accounting at UAA and teaches two to three accounting courses per semester.

Dwayne, his spouse Gwen, and their daughter Melissa live in Eagle River. Dwayne likes to fish, travel the beautiful areas of Alaska, and can be seen about town on his motorcycle when the snow is off the roads. He can also play a mean guitar.