President – KPEDD Appointee: Kenai
Todd Smith
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.
Vice-President – KPEDD Appointee: Soldotna
Bruce Richards
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.
Secretary – KPEDD Appointee: KPB At Large
Chris Hough
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.
Treasurer: KPB At Large
Tim Redder
Tim has a bachelor’s degree in economics and a minor in accounting from South Dakota State University.
Tim has helped Wells Fargo customers succeed financially for 13 years. He currently serves as the Business Banking Manager for the Kenai Peninsula, Kodiak and southwest Alaska.
Tim currently serves as President of the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Kenai Peninsula. He also volunteers for Junior Achievement and supports the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District’s Student in Transition Program that supports homeless teens. Tim serves as co-chair of the Wells Fargo Alaska volunteer chapter. Tim, his wife Mandy, and their two children enjoy hiking, gardening, fishing, skiing, camping, and family movie nights.
City Official: Soldotna
John Czarnezki
John Czarnezki is the Director of Economic Development and Planning for the City of Soldotna. Prior to working for the City, John worked for the Kenai Peninsula Borough and the University of Wisconsin-Extension. He has a bachelor’s degree in natural resource management and a master’s degree in urban planning. John joined the KPEDD board in 2018.
City Official: Soldotna
Tyson Cox
Tyson is currently the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly Member for District 4, the Soldotna Area and has served on the Soldotna City Council and Board of Equalization. He is a longtime Kenai Peninsula resident who graduated from Soldotna High School and the Kenai Peninsula College (UAA) with a Bachelor of Education, specializing in mathematics. Tyson lives in Soldotna where he and his wife, Stephanie, manage residential housing within their real estate investment business. He, his wife, and three children enjoy spending time playing board games, participating in outdoor sports, and finding as many local events to attend as possible.
City Official: Seldovia
Rachel Friedlander
Rachel Friedlander became Seldovia’s city manager in December 2020 and is lucky to follow in the footsteps and legacies of former city managers Cassidi Cameron and Tim Dillion. Her theme for the City is “what can we accomplish together?” Prior to joining Seldovia, Rachel served as executive assistant under the City of Homer’s former city manager Katie Koester. She has a bachelor’s degree from the University of California, Berkeley and an associate’s degree from Santa Fe College in Gainesville, Florida. Seldovia City Council has supported Rachel’s position on the KPEDD board since January 2021.
City Official: Kenai
Sara Bieber
Sara Bieber has been a resident of the Kenai Peninsula for 39 years.
Sara began her career with the State of Alaska in 1997 with the Alaska State Legislature working as a Page, Assistant and ended her tenure as Legislative Aide in November of 2004. Sara obtained employment as a Career Development Specialist with the Alaska Department of Labor at the Peninsula Job Center, and promoted to the Peninsula Job Center Supervisor position in June of 2019. Her role is to promote job center services and workforce development in the greater Kenai and Soldotna area. This includes promoting Alaska hire, addressing training and development, overcoming workforce barriers to employment, and supporting employers and workers.
Sara, her husband, and their two children enjoy camping, fishing, hunting, community activities and youth sports.
City Official: Seward
John Osenga
John was born and raised on the Kenai Peninsula. He is a lifelong resident of Seward along with his wife and four children. John has worked a wide variety of jobs, from retail to building maintenance. He is currently serving as the president of the Qutakcak Native Tribe and serves on the Seward city council.
KPEDD Appointee
Bryan Zak
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.
Homer Representative
Karin Marks
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.
KPEDD Appointee
Ryan Foster
Ryan Foster is the Planning Director for the City of Kenai. Prior to working for the City, Ryan worked in both the public and private sectors as a planner, most recently as the Principal Planner for Los Alamos, NM. He earned a B.A. in Geography-Anthropology from the University of Southern Maine and a Master’s Degree in Planning from Dalhousie University. Ryan is also a member of the American Institute of Certified Planners.