Ve’dra Bechtol, AI
Congratulations to Ahtna shareholder and Ahtna, Inc. employee Ve’dra Bechtol on receiving her Associate of Applied Science degree from Wayland Baptist University! She made the dean’s list this last semester and is continuing her education with plans to receive her Bachelor of Arts by the end of the year. Ve’dra is a Benefits Analyst and part of Ahtna’s Human Resources team. She is a member of the Udzisyu (Caribou) Clan and her parents are John and Carol Craig. Her maternal grandparents are Archie and Mary Bindara and her paternal grandparents are Oscar and Ella Craig. She is married to Matthew Bechtol and they have 5 children; Joey Trantham (deceased), Melissa Trantham, Jason Trantham, Madison Bechtol and Matthew Bechtol II.
Aaron Miller, AEI
Congratulations to Ahtna shareholder and Ahtna Environmental, Inc. (AEI) employee Aaron Miller on graduating from the University of Alaska Anchorage with a Bachelor of Science in Construction Management with a minor in Business Administration. Aaron is a Construction Project Engineer with AEI. Aaron is a member of the Naltsiine (Sky) clan and his parents are James and Charlene Miller. His grandparents are Charles and Delia Renard.
John Goodwin, AI
Ahtna shareholder John Goodwin has been hired as a Natural Resource Technician (NRT) for the Ahtna Land Department. John is a member of the Udzisyu (Caribou) clan and his parents are John R. Goodwin Jr. and Ephrazenia Rastopsoff. His grandparents are Evelyn H. Koonuk and John R. Goodwin Sr. John has experience as a foreman and commercial fisherman/deck boss. He graduated from Glennallen High School and previously coached the Glennallen Jr. High boys’ basketball team. As an NRT, John assists with land permits, landscaping, patrolling, campsite maintenance, sign posting, and cutting trails for counting moose tracks. He says he enjoys being able to work outside (the outdoors is his office) and working with great employees. In his free time, he enjoys playing basketball and softball and hunting and fishing.
Tina Chapman, AN
Congratulations to Ahtna shareholder Tina Chapman on receiving her Occupational Hygiene and Safety Technician (OHST) certification. OHSTs perform occupational hygiene and safety activities such as making worksite assessments to determine risks, potential hazards and controls, evaluating risks and hazard control measures, investigating incidents, maintaining and evaluating incident and loss records, and preparing emergency response plans. Next month she will be taking tests for the Construction Health and Safety Technician (CHST) and the Associate Safety Professionals (ASP) certifications. She will also be taking the OSHA 501 trainer course and will then be OSHA-authorized to teach the 30 hour and 10 hour OSHA courses. Tina has a Bachelor of Science Occupational Health and Safety well as a Master of Science Organizational Leadership. She has worked for Ahtna for over 13 years. Tina is a member of the Naltsiine (Sky) clan and her parents are Doris Hernandez (Wood) and Roy Turner Jr. Her grandparents are Roy Turner Sr. and Leona Turner (Joe).