Board of Directors

Brendyn Shiflea

President - KPEDD Appointee: KPB At Large

Brendyn was born and raised in Alaska, and other than a few years outside studying business and finance, he has been a lifelong Alaskan. Brendyn has held leadership positions in private business, including with First National Bank Alaska and ConocoPhillips Alaska, as well as with various community and non-profit organizations on the Kenai Peninsula including KPEDD and the Kenai Chamber of Commerce.

Outside of work you will often find him out fly fishing on one of the local Kenai Peninsula rivers or enjoying the outdoors with his wife and three children. Brendyn enjoys being a part of KPEDD and working to make sure the Kenai Peninsula remains a great place to live, work, do business and play.

Todd Smith

Vice President - KPEDD Appointee: Kenai

Todd was born and raised on the Kenai, and manages a local small business. He studied Business and Economics at Eastern Oregon University and also fishes commercially with his family in Cook Inlet.

Rachel O’Brien

Treasurer - KPEDD Appointee: Under/Unemployed

Rachel O͛Brien is the Department of Labor and Workforce Development, Gulf Coast and Southwest Regional Job Center Operations Manager (Seward, Kenai, Homer, Kodiak, Valdez, Bristol Bay and YK Delta areas). Her role is to promote DOLWD job center services and workforce development in our regional area. This includes promoting Alaska hire, addressing training and development, workforce barriers to employment, and supporting employers and workers in ‘Rapid Response’ services when businesses are experiencing decline or closure.

Stephanie Queen

Secretary - City Official: Soldotna

Stephanie Queen is the Director of Economic Development and Planning for the City of Soldotna. She joined the KPEDD board in 2016, as the City’s representative.

Deborah Altermatt

City Official: Seward

Deborah Altermatt and her husband Randy own Sailing, Inc. in Seward Alaska. Deborah was previously on the Seward Chamber Board, as well as the Port & Commerce Advisory Board.

Jill Schaefer

KPB Official & City Official: Soldotna

Jill Schaefer, her husband and two children moved to Kenai in July of 2013 and immediately fell in love with the community and surrounding areas. Soon after she joined the Kenai Peninsula Republican Women’s club which afforded her the opportunity to meet many people engaged in policies that help govern the Kenai Peninsula. She is now the President of the KPRW and the Kenai Operations Manager with the Alaska Support Industry Alliance. This has provided the opportunity to work with many small business owners and professionals that have stressed the issues that affect them in positive and negative ways.

Bruce Richards

KPEDD Appointee: Soldotna

Bruce was raised on the Kenai Peninsula after moving here in 1969. He began working in the family construction business in high school operating heavy equipment while paving many of the roads we drive on today. He attended Boise State University and transitioned into public service after the passing of his father. Bruce has seined in the lower Cook Inlet, worked in the Alaska State Legislature, Alaska Department of Corrections, Municipality of Anchorage, Kenai Peninsula Borough and has been the External Affairs Director for Central Peninsula Hospital for the past nine years. He has two lovely daughters and lives in Kenai.

Bryan Zak

City Official: Homer

Homer Mayor Bryan Zak is a retired Air Force Officer and has lived in Alaska for 18 years, 11 of which were spent on the Kenai Peninsula. He chose to become a member to maintain a strong but separate relationship between the Alaska Small Business Development Center and the Kenai Peninsula Economic Development District. Bryan also wished to advocate for, remain award of, and encourage economic development within the State of Alaska. He holds a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from Eastern Washington University, a B.A. in Youth Agency Administration from Pepperdine University and an ABD in Educational Administration from Texas Tech. Bryan Zak also owns Alaska Adventure Cabins and Zak’s Realty, and is a licensed Alaska Real Estate Broker.

Julie Woodworth

KPEDD Appointee: KPB at Large

Julie has been an Alaskan banker for over 27 years, attended UAA Bristol Bay Campus and graduated from Pacific Coast Banking School. Julie is also a business owner, employer, and works for First National Bank Alaska in Homer.

“The statistical information KPEDD collects and distributes is invaluable, and vital for business planning. I have witnessed KPEDD’s role in bringing businesses together which benefits the entire area. I cannot think of a better place to be, and I’m proud to be a part of this organization.” – Julie

Chris Hough

KPEDD Appointee

Chris was born and raised on the Kenai Peninsula. He and his wife, Sarah, are small business owners with offices in Homer and Soldotna. They enjoy spending their time attending community events and exploring the outdoors with their two small children. Chris has a BS from Montana State University in Bozeman, MT and an MBA from the University of Washington in Seattle, WA.

Tod Larsen

City Official: Seldovia

Tod Larsen joined the KPEDD Board to engage in economic activities to assist the City of Seldovia. He earned a Master’s in Public Administration and BS in Education from the University of Wyoming. Tod is also currently working towards a Master’s in Legal Studies from Arizona State University.

Karin Marks

KPEDD Appointee: Homer

Karin Marks has lived on the Kenai Peninsula for 28 years. She joined the KPEDD Board to encourage economic growth and share information from the Homer Economic Development Council. Karin earned a B.A. in Political Science from the University of Northern Iowa and a Master’s Degree in Administration from Troy University.

Wayne Wilson

KPEDD Appointee: Native Organization

Wayne Wilson is a member of the Kenaitze Indian Tribe and currently serves on the tribe’s seven-member Executive Council. Born and raised in Kenai, Wayne is married with 10 children and two grandchildren. In addition to his work with the tribe, Wayne also is a commercial fisherman. His family’s ties to the Kenai area date back to prior to the 1800s.

Matt Kelley

City Official: Kenai

Matt Kelley graduated from California State University, Chico in 2006 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Geography and Planning, as well as a Certificate in Geographic Information Systems.  He has been a practicing Planner for over 10 years and has worked on many different types of land-use planning projects, including; Subdivisions, Landfills, Pipelines and Coastal Planning projects.  Matt and his wife moved to Kenai in 2014 and have been enjoying living here ever since that time.