ALASKA RESOURCE EDUCATION

Hometown: Evergreen, Colo.

Current City: Anchorage

Education: Master of Science in environmental science, APU; Bachelor of science in natural science, concentrations in biology and education, Colorado State University

Community Work: Alaska Association of Career and Technical Education (ACTE), executive team, past president; Alaska Representative on the Community Relations Committee of the Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission, Alaska representative; Velocity young industry professionals group, founding board member; served several years as a board member for the School to Business Partnership; TEARS Foundation, volunteer; Dimond High Softball, weightlifting coach; Girl Scouts of Alaska, volunteer; Bird Treatment and Learning Center, volunteer; Friends of the Anchorage Wildlife Refuge, volunteer; and Alaska National Snowboard Team, coach.

Family: Husband, Luke Metherell; sons, John and Theo; dogs, Nollie and Char; parents, Susan and Richard; sister and brother-in-law, Kat and Derek

What is your favorite place in Alaska and why?: Our cabin in Big Lake: It is our getaway when we need, and our place to gather with friends when we want. It has the best view of Denali on a clear day. We can surf, fish, snowmachine and so much more all right out the front door. Loved ones no longer with us are always there.

Name the person you respect and why: Jane Goodall: For her groundbreaking work in redefining what conservation means, how to use education to get people to take action and her relentless passion for the environment and animals across the globe.

What is your favorite pastime or hobby away from work?: Going on adventures with my family and friends.

What was your first job?: Snowboard coach at Copper Mountain in Colorado.

What has been your most rewarding community service?: Working with the TEARS Foundation to help serve families like ours who have lost a child. Helping raise money for funeral costs, helping secure free travel for remains to get back to their home communities around the state and being there for other loss families.

In your professional life, what has been a project or achievement you have found to be the most fulfilling?: Ensuring our organization continued to thrive during a challenging transition of leadership, and then helping it expand through new funding sources, additional staff and developing new programs.

Based on your own experiences, what advice would you give on maintaining a good work-life balance?: Winter snowfall = powder day = go ride; Summer sunshine = warm water = go to the lake; July = fishing; January = leaving to go find sunshine