Staff Members

Management

Larry Cotter, CEO
Larry Cotter is the Chief Executive Officer of APICDA and its subsidiary companies. He has lived in Alaska since 1974. The entire time has been spent in the commercial fishing industry. He spent 4 ½ years as a seafood processing worker in Juneau, and then eight years as a labor organizer and representative for seafood processing workers and longshoremen. He served on the Advisory Panel to the North Pacific Fishery Management Council for six years and as a voting member of the Council for an additional six years. This was during the transition years when foreign fishing was being phased out and domestic allocation issues were first coming to the forefront. During that time he was Chair of several committees including the Bycatch Committee and Crab Management Committee. Larry continues to volunteer time for fishery management issues and currently serves as Chair of the Council’s Steller Sea Lion Mitigation Committee.

Larry has also been active in his community, and served as a board member of Bartlett Regional Hospital in Juneau (including two years as Chair). He was a member of the Fish & Game Transition Team for both Governor Palin and Former Governor Murkowski. Larry has traveled extensively throughout the world, and is an accomplished cook.

Joe Kyle, COO/CFO
Since 1992, Joe Kyle has served as the Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer for APICDA and its subsidiary companies. Prior to that, he served twenty years in the Coast Guard before retiring in 1992. During his Coast Guard career, Joe served in a variety of management positions at sea and on shore. Of note, he served as the Aide to the Commandant, USCG in Washington, D. C. from 1982 – 1984; and was the on scene commander for rescue and debris recovery efforts in the aftermath of the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster in January 1986. A graduate of the Coast Guard Academy in 1972, he subsequently earned a Masters in Business Administration from Rensselaer Polytechnical Institute (RPI) in 1982. Joe served as a voting member of the North Pacific Fishery Management Council from 1997 to 2000. He continues to chair the commercial fishing industry’s Observer Advisory Committee to the Council.

Juneau Office

Robert Smith, Controller
Robert Smith is the Controller for APICDA and its subsidiary companies. He has lived in Alaska since 1983. He holds a bachelors degree with an emphasis in accounting and has over 31 years working in the financial arena. He spent 20 years in the U.S. Coast Guard and came to APICDA in 1995 after spending 2 years working for the State of Alaska, Southeast Commercial Fisheries Division.

 

Samantha Keopple, Accounting Supervisor
Samantha Keopple has lived in Alaska all her life. She was born in Anchorage, raised in Petersburg and moved to Juneau in 1996. She went to school at the University of Wyoming. She started working for APICDA in April of 2000 as a bookkeeper and has since been promoted to the Accountant Position where she is responsible for the day to day operations of the accounting department. She is married with two boys and enjoys fishing, hiking, camping, various arts & crafts but most importantly spending time with her family.

 

Tim Zahnd, Payroll
Tim was born, raised and went to school in Indiana. After moving to Alaska on a spur of the moment decision, he has lived in Anchorage, Girdwood, Sitka and has finally settled down in Juneau. Happy Paddling!

 

 

Ralph Weatherby, Information Systems
Ralph Weatherby is our Information Systems Manager; he maintains the corporate network, telephone and computer systems of all APICDA offices. Originally from Seattle, Ralph moved to Alaska 11 years ago and has been with APICDA since 2001. He has worked with computers since the mid 1970’s, building his first computer from scratch in 1984. He has taught computer software and hardware classes, and enjoys programming. When away from the office, Ralph likes spending time with his wife and son Gus (their yellow lab) going on outdoor adventures, riding their Harley’s, or fishing. Wag More - Bark Less

Amanda Waid, Bookkeeper
Amanda grew up a small town girl in Ketchikan, AK.  After graduating from high school and traveling the west coast, she made Juneau her home in 2004.  She is married to the love of her life, the mother of a beautiful little girl named Mia, a student at UAS majoring in business, an avid reader, and an artist.  Amanda has held an assortment of jobs, such as fishing in Bristol Bay during the salmon and herring seasons, cooking in restaurants, and lighting design for elaborate stage shows.  She loves to learn, gain new experiences, stay organized, and work towards new goals.  Amanda is glad to be part of the APICDA team as it has given her the opportunity to travel to new places, meet interesting people, and grow as an employee.

Rebecca Engen, Special Assistant to the CEO
Rebecca joined APICDA in 2008. Although she has lived in Alaska most of her life, Rebecca has also called Washington, Oregon, California, Colorado, and Texas home.  Her previous employment background is diverse, with experiences ranging from horticulture & education, to administration & bookkeeping.  She began college at the University of Alaska once upon a time in the mid 1990’s, and enjoys her status as a perennial student. 

 

Kimberly Allred, Administrative Secretary & Receptionist
Kimber was born in Hailey, Idaho and raised in Juneau, Alaska.  After she graduated from Juneau Douglas High School in 2005, she set out traveling.  Over a three year span Kimber’s travels took her to Wisconsin, Chicago, Utah, Nevada, Arizona, Texas, Idaho, and Washington.  Kimber loves snowboarding, hiking, fishing, hunting, traveling, art, and cooking.  She hopes to return to school in the future to study music as well as the culinary arts.

Anchorage Office

Chris Mierzejek, Director of Administration
Chris Mierzejek , a 15 year resident of St. George, began work at AJV as the Quota Manager. He holds a B.S. in Fishery Science, an A.S. in Fish Husbandry and a one year degree in Mariculture. Before joining the APICDA organization, Mr. Mierzejek was quite active in the Pribilof School District. He managed all day to day aspects of the St. George School, instructed science to all grades, and developed a small salmon hatchery program on St. George. Mr. Mierzejek is APICDA’s Director of Administration. In this capacity, he is involved with all in-house activities of the organization.

Laura Delgado, Executive Assistant to the COO
Laura Delgado, APICDA’s Human Resources Director was raised in Unalaska. Laura was a successful participant in APICDA’s higher education scholarship program. After graduation from Cleveland State University with a degree in organizational psychology, she began working at APICDA. She has been with APICDA since 2002. Laura coordinates APICDA’s training and employment recruitment programs. She travels in-region to meet with students and residents. She has also organized various in-region fisheries related training opportunities.

Jeff Kashevarof, General Manager - Marine Operations Division
Jeff Kashevarof is originally from St. George; he began working for APICDA several years ago as the Port Engineer and was promoted to AVI Vessel Manager. He attended AVTEC twice and received certificates as Power Plant Operator and Diesel Mechanic and worked for the City of St. George for 9 years as the Power Plant Operator. Jeff is a long time commercial fisherman and continues to fish his IFQ when time allows. Jeff also served on the APICDA board from 2002 to 2004 and served on the City of St. George board for three years back in the 90s.

George Weaver, General Manager - Tourism Division
George Weaver is a retired Alaska State Trooper, a previous Chief of Police and a former owner of a lodge and charter boat business in Kodiak. George comes to us with an impressive background in personnel management, sport fishing and hunting. He has been involved with Larry Csonka and his Alaska Outdoor television show and spent time working for the State of Alaska as an investigator for the Big Game Commercial Services Board. As Director of Tourism, George will promote and oversee the management of the Ugludax Lodge in Nikolski. He will work closely with top management in the development of APICDA's growing tourism program.

Ken Smith, General Manager - Shoreside Operations Division
Ken Smith is originally from False Pass and has vast knowledge of the APICDA region and its fisheries. He has traveled extensively in our region during his past employment with the Aleutian Housing Authority and the Aleutian Pribilof Islands Association. As APICDA's Community Development Specialist, Ken will be the primary liaison between APICDA and our communities. He will focus his attention on reviewing and expanding community development plans and meeting with local and regional entities and residents to discuss future projects. Ken will also spend a significant amount of time in Atka, assisting management with AJV operations.

Ivy Pelkey, Administrative Secretary & Receptionist
Ivy Pelkey was born in Anchorage and raised in Akutan, a small beautiful volcanic island in the Aleutian Chain, one of the APICDA communities.  Being a small town girl with big city intentions, and wanting to push herself more, Ivy went to Valdez to finish her senior year in High School in 2004.  After graduating from VHS, she attended Prince William Sound Community College for a semester before deciding to move to Anchorage.  Ivy has held a couple of great jobs over the years, which recently includes an internship with APICDA in 2008 as a Document Scanner.  After the birth of her beautiful baby girl Aaliyah, Ivy returned to finish her internship.  Her daughter is the driving force behind her hard work and dedication.
Ivy is now working for the APICDA family as the Administrative Secretary/Receptionist in the Anchorage office.  She loves working with her new “family” and truly enjoys being able to work with a company that works with her hometown.

John Nickels III, Assistant to General Manager - Tourism Division
John was raised in the community of False Pass Alaska and was a recipient of the APICDA Higher Education Scholarship. John started working for APICDA in June 2009 as a summer intern while attending his final semester at the University of Alaska Anchorage. John has since graduated from UAA and now holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Aviation Technology with an emphasis in Management and a Minor in Business Administration. John currently works full time for APICDA, assisting in the tourism division.

Alex Zaochney, Production-Process Crew Foreman
Alex has worked for APICDA in several capacities over the years and began in his current position in 2007.  He grew up in the Aleutian Islands community of Atka, and has worked in the fishing industry since 1994.

 

Jake Betts, Maintenance Specialist
Jake grew up in the small island community of Frenchboro Maine.  He worked on his father’s lobster boat until high school and then began training as an apprentice electrician.  After graduating high school, Jake joined the Coast Guard where he attended Machinery Technician School in 1999 and was then stationed in Homer, AK. Nine of his eleven years in the Coast Guard were spent stationed on ships: the majority of which were in Alaskan waters.  Jake has also been stationed in Saugerties, NY, Kingdom of Bahrain, Kuwait, and Cordova, AK.  He is a passionate New England fan and enjoys hunting and sports.

Homer Office

Shawn Hansen, Construction Manager
Shawn Hansen is the Construction Manager for APICDA. His duties include planning, expediting and executing Board of directors conceived projects in the APICDA communities. He has lived in Alaska since 1976, working in the construction industry and fishing Salmon, Herring and longlining.

 

 

Rhonda Ecker, Homer Office Manager
Rhonda Ecker came to Alaska in 1985 from Wisconsin.  She graduated from UW Madison with a BS in Art/Commercial Advertising and Design. She has had a very interesting and diversified work history. Upon arrival in Alaska she became a “Spit Rat” in Homer and began her commercial fishing career that spanned 14 years, including 2 seasons in the Bering Sea as a crabber. Her off- seasons were spent as a fisheries tech for various hatcheries around the state and ADF&G.   Winters were spent as a driller/explosives handler for seismic oil exploration companies. She spent several seasons on a research ship in S.E. Alaska doing surveys of Tongass Nat’l Forest, & two seasons in Antarctica as an ice core driller for National Science Foundation.  She worked as a deckhand on the USF&W vessel Tiglax for 8 seasons in Alaska Maritime Nat’l Wildlife Refuge, and worked for the Kachemak Bay Research Reserve doing GIS work on a watershed project.  She also has both road and residential home construction experience and ran a home-based home design company.  Rhonda likes to spend time on her properties in the Big Bend area, West Texas, whenever she can.

Kenai Office

Luci Roberts, Quota Manager
Luci is the CDQ Quota Manager for APICDA. Luci was born in Columbus, Ohio and moved to Cold Bay, Alaska in 1985 where she worked for Reeve Aleutian Airways until she moved to Anchorage in 1990. In Anchorage she worked for GCI for 5 years and then made her way to Juneau in 1996. In 1997 she started with APICDA as a bookkeeper and was promoted to the Quota Manager in 2000. Luci is married with two children and enjoys arts, crafts and scrapbooking.

Seattle Office

Everette Anderson, Business Development &
Corporate Relations Specialist
Everette Anderson is the Business Development & Corporate Relations Specialist based in Seattle, WA. Everette opened the Seattle office in October 2006 – located in historic Ballard. He works closely with APICDA’s partners and also ensures that APICDA is represented at seafood industry activities. Everette is originally from Dillingham, has a B.S. in Social Science, commercially fished in Bristol Bay, processed pollock in the Bering Sea, and worked in seafood marketing and sales. Everette’s hobbies include travel, mountain biking, fly fishing, basketball – and most importantly, spending time with his wife and two children.

Field Operations

Larisa Prokopeuff, Atka Pride Seafoods Administravtive Manager
Raised in Atka, Larisa has live on the island her entire life and is a graduate of Atka High School, Yakov Netsvetov.  At 17, Larisa began working at APS in production and continued each summer until 2009 when she was promoted to APS Plant Administrative Manager.  She has also assisted with the production of salmon, halibut, and cod in False Pass at Bering Pacific Seafoods.  From 2005-2007 Larisa worked on the F/V Starbound.

Jimmy Prokopeuff, Atka Pride Seafoods Operations Manager
Jimmy Prokopeuff has been in the fishing business most of his life.  He began fishing with his dad at a young age, and after fishing on a few different boats, eventually made his way into processing.  From 1999-2007 he worked seasonally at Atka Pride Seafoods and during APS’s off-season, as a processor on the F/V StarBound.  Jimmy began as a processor at APS, worked his way up to Plant Foremen, and was most recently promoted to Plant Operations Manager in 2009.

Jason Dirks, Chief Mechanic
Jason started working for Atka Pride Seafoods as a local fisherman and processor.  In 2000 Jason began to apprentice with the APS Plant Engineer and after several years of training, both on the job and through vocational classes, Jason was promoted to Assistant Engineer.  Jason became Chief Mechanic in 2008.  He currently maintains APS plant equipment and vehicles as well as assisting the Plant Operations Manager with field operations.