The Crew | Marine Exchange of Alaska

STAFF

Ed Page

Founder/Senior Advisor

Captain Page founded MXAK in 2001 and served as the Executive Director for 20 years.

Captain Page is a 1972 graduate of the U.S. Coast Guard Academy and served as a commissioned officer for 29 years. He sailed Atlantic, Pacific and Alaska waters and served in various marine safety assignments on the West Coast, Alaska, and Japan. Later in his career, he served as Captain of the Port and Group Commander for the Los Angeles/Long Beach region and as the Chief of Marine Safety and Environmental Protection for the Coast Guard Pacific Area. He retired from the Coast Guard in 2001 to establish the Marine Exchange of Alaska. Ed has lived in Alaska for 30 years and is an avid kayaker, sailor, skier, and hiker.

Captain Steve White

Executive Director

(907) 463-5078

Steve joined the Marine Exchange in September of 2021 after serving 31 years in the Coast Guard. His last assignment was Sector Commander and Captain of the Port for SE Alaska.

He served 7 tours throughout Alaska including assignments to 4 ships, 2 of which he served as the Commanding Officer. His other tours included serving on a Coast Guard Atlantic Area ship, service with the Joint Forces Maritime Component Command, serving with Navy and Coast Guard forces in the Middle East and various other Coast Guard units. He has patrolled the Gulf of Alaska, Bering Seas, Arctic, Pacific and Atlantic Oceans. Steve sat on the North Pacific Fisheries Management Council as the Coast Guard representative, served as the Enforcement Chair for the North Pacific Anadromous Fish Commission and was the Incident Commander for the Coast Guard’s Arctic Operations. He graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Management from the US Coast Guard Academy, a Masters in National Security and Strategic Studies from the Naval War War College and completed a Military Executive Fellowship program with the RAND Corporation. He has a passion for the maritime environment and particularly Alaska. His wife and 3 sons enjoy fishing, boating, hiking and hunting.

Chris Coutu

Asst. Director and General Counsel

(907) 463-4640

Chris is a retired Coast Guard Captain, serving over 21 years as an attorney and marine casualty investigator.

John Hollingsworth

Chief Operating Officer

(907) 463-4294

John joined the Marine Exchange in 2020 after retiring from the Coast Guard where he served for 26 years.

John joined the Coast Guard in Florida while still in high school. He graduated from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in 1994, and began his career in Eureka, CA as a Deck Watch Officer on the ACUSHNET. With an interest in aviation, he attended U.S. Naval Flight Training in Pensacola, and received his wings in 1997. His operational aviation, staff and educational tours of duty took his family to Puerto Rico, Georgia, Purdue University, Washington DC, Kodiak, Hawaii, Rhode Island, and finally to Juneau, as Chief of Incident Management, where he was responsible for all search and rescue and pollution response operations throughout Alaska. John, Kim and their three children stay busy outdoors while fishing, camping, hiking, skiing, and whatever else their love of Alaska presents them.

BrYAn Hinderberger

Chief Technical Officer

(907) 463-4292

Born and raised in the Midwest, Bryan first stepped foot in Alaska in 2006.

It wasn’t long thereafter that he became determined to make this great state his year round home. Bryan has lived in Skagway, Haines, Girdwood, and Unalaska. From 2012-2017 he worked in field operations at the Marine Exchange. He rejoins the team to develop new business opportunities in line with the Marine Exchange Mission and pitch in anywhere an extra set of hands or mind is needed. When not on the clock Bryan can be found overhead in 86D or out on a trail in and around Juneau.

Ken Phillips

Compliance Manager

(907) 463-3159

Originally from Arvada, Colorado, Ken joined the Marine Exchange in July 2013 after more than 22 years in the Coast Guard.

Ken spent time in Oregon, Wisconsin, Texas and Washington, DC but the majority of his Coast Guard time was spent at Alaska units in Anchorage, Kenai and Juneau. Ken’s background is primarily Marine Safety and Inspection, he wrapped up his Coast Guard career as the Supervisor of the Marine Inspection Detachment in Singapore. The Marine Exchange fit perfectly into his plan to return him and his family to Alaska permanently.

Shawn Mauldin

Chief Solutions Officer

(907) 463-3142

Shawn hails from Valdez, from which he joined the Coast Guard for a 24 year career.

During his time with the Coast Guard, he patrolled Southeast Alaska aboard the Coast Guard Cutter ANACAPA, navigated the Inside Passage as a DWO on the STORIS, experienced the Bering Sea aboard the STORIS, JARVIS and CHASE, and even made a couple open ocean transits to Hawaii, the last of which landed him on the shores of Guam, Singapore and Thailand. After earning his Masters in Info Systems, he returned to Alaska as the CG District 17 Command Center Chief, overseeing the multi-missioned, 24-hour watch in Juneau. To improve maritime domain awareness, he traveled to Moscow and Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, Russia, brokering Border Service cooperation in managing the Arctic “Donut Hole”. The last 5 years of his career were focused on overseeing the CG’s Nationwide Automatic Identification System contract, developing, prototyping and deploying AIS to the Lower 48. Shawn first started working with the Marine Exchange team in 2005, and a decade later, he transitioned to full time employment.

Kristin Cadigan

Finance manager

(907) 463-4669

Kristin, daughter of a retired Coast Guard Captain, was raised in Juneau after transferring here when she was 10 years old.

After graduating from JDHS, she went to Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Business Computer Systems. Subsequently, she worked in Arizona and in Illinois before moving back home in 2001 to manage her family's business. With a keen interest in Accounting and Finance, she joined the Marine Exchange in the fall of 2010. Kristin enjoys photography, cooking, traveling, boating, and especially spending time with her husband and children.

Jonathan Wood

Assistant Finance Manager

(907) 463-4650

Originally from Kentucky, Jonathan joined the Marine Exchange staff in May 2014.

After graduating from Transylvania University in Lexington, KY in 2004 with an Economics degree, Jonathan spent a few years working with a local wealth management team at UBS Financial Services. When a career based around the stock market lost its luster, he decided to pursue his passion for the outdoors by relocating to Southeast Alaska and taking a job as a rafting guide in the spring of 2007. This “temporary summer vacation” turned into a 6+ year career in the outdoor industry working in such capacities as a mountain/raft guide, wilderness therapy field instructor and tour manager. In 2013, Jonathan hung up his guide hat and relocated to Juneau and, shortly thereafter, joined the Marine Exchange team.

Edric Carrillo

Director of External Affairs

(907) 463-2607

Edric was born and raised in Juneau he is a first generation Filipino-American.

He graduated from JDHS and briefly attended college in Colorado until he returned home to finish at UAS. He worked in tourism for 6 seasons at a bus company and various helicopter outfits. During that time, he wanted to give back to his community, and found a passion for public service. So, he joined several local boards and commissions to learn more about the public processes. He eventually became President of the Filipino Community in Juneau which has a deep history in town. Wanting to invoke change he started working in the Alaska Legislature as a page then as a legislative aide to Rep. Sam Kito III and Sen. Jesse Kiehl both representing his hometown for over 5 years. During his time in the Legislature, he had several opportunities to learn about the important work MXAK does to keep our waters clean and safe. Wanting a change, he joined the MXAK’s crew in June 2022 as their Director of External Affairs. He looks forward to this role and continuing to learn about the innovative work MXAK does to support its mission and helping people learn about it too!

Rick Sypeck

Senior Maritime Information Specialist

(907) 463-4850

Rick has lived in Alaska for 20 years. Originally from Miami, Florida, he moved to Alaska after serving in the United States Marine Corps for 3 years.

While in the Marines he was stationed in California, North Carolina, and Okinawa, Japan as a Field Radio Operator, spending a portion of his time in Japan aboard the USS Blue Ridge. After leaving the military, he moved to Fairbanks and worked for DHL Worldwide Express and recently worked with Holland America/Princess here in Juneau. Rick has been a Big Brother with the Big Brother/Big Sisters program here in Southeast Alaska, which helps children reach their potential through professionally supported, one-to-one relationships. He loves walking to the face of the glacier in winter and playing Guitar Hero with his kids.

Ed Mayer

Engineering Technologist

(907) 463-3939

A graduate of the State University of New York at Binghamton, New York, Ed joined the Marine Exchange in the fall of 2010.

He brings a wealth of electronics and technical experience to the Marine Exchange. Prior to joining the marine exchange in 2010, he was employed as a field engineer for a Florida based corporation which specializes in marine navigation and communications electronics. He's traveled to many destinations around the world installing, commissioning, repairing, and maintaining navigation equipment on passenger ships, cargo vessels and the occasional mega yacht. Ed met his wife Nikki in 2012 here in Juneau and has a daughter and two stepsons. He enjoys spending time with his family and getting out on the water.

Byron Hayes

Operations Center Supervisor

(907) 463-3064

Byron joined the Marine Exchange in January of 2022 after serving 25 years in the Coast Guard.

Byron spent two tours in SE Alaska before retiring, most recently as the Response Department Head overseeing Search and Rescue, Pollution Response and Law Enforcement across SE Alaska. Raised in New Jersey, Byron graduated from the Coast Guard Academy in 2001 and began his career in Astoria, OR as a deck watch officer on the USCGC ALERT. Shoreside tours included Atlantic Area Command Center Watchstander in Portsmouth, VA; Sector Juneau Command Center Chief; Sector Houston-Galveston Intelligence Officer in Houston, TX; and Contingency Planning and Exercise Branch Chief for the Ninth District covering the Great Lakes. Byron, Molly and their two children love enjoying all that Alaska has offer. He is really looking forward to continue working alongside and serving the maritime community.

Jen Dillon

Maritime Operations Analyst

(907) 463-4295

Jen likely acquired her wanderlust and fascination with underwater acoustics from her father, a former Navy submarine sonarman.

Her interests in marine biologics and ecological soundscapes have prompted a number of research projects from studying killer whale vocal development in San Diego, to quantifying tidal power potential in New Zealand, to detailing habitat use of Southern right and Bryde’s whales in South Africa, and investigating harbor seal and vessel interactions in Tracy Arm Fjord. She grew up in a variety of coastal communities in California, Washington, and Hawaii, but has happily made Juneau her homeport for the last 13 years. She loves adventuring, kayaking, bodysurfing, snowboarding, stargazing, fine literature, and absurd movies. Jen is proud to assist in the Marine Exchange’s mission and eager to learn from its operations.

Rob Mayer

IT Systems Technician

(907) 463-1290

Rob joined the U. S. Air Force right out of High School.

As a Communication Systems Radio Operator he served his first year at Clark Air Base Philippines in support of the Strategic Air Command. In 1991 the Air Base was evacuated as part of Operation Fiery Vigil, after which he became a member of the 1st Special Operation Wing, Hurlburt Field, Florida. Over the next five years Rob provided voice and data communication between Commanders and Air Assets any time any place. Rob moved to St. Louis, Missouri in 1996 where computers and networking became his primary career focus. By 2000, he had attained industry certifications from Microsoft and Cisco. For the next fifteen years he was involved in the design and support of Local and Wide Area Networks for enterprise level corporations including AT&T, The Department of Defense Information Systems Agency, and MasterCard. Rob joins his father and brother as a resident of Juneau. He plans to spend a lot of time on the trails of Juneau and also enjoys watching and photographing marine life.

Nick Hatch

Field Operations Supervsior

(907) 463-2607

Originally from Massachusetts, Nick joined the Marine Exchange technical staff in March 2013.

After graduating from the University of Vermont, Nick headed west to Oregon State University where he obtained a Master’s in Biology. He has lived in Washington, Oregon, Alaska and Hawaii and worked as a biologist for various federal agencies including the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, The U.S. Geological Survey and the U.S. Forest Service. He holds a 100 ton U.S. Coast Guard master’s license and also worked in Southeast Alaska as a mate on The Boat Company’s small eco tourist passenger vessel MIST COVE. Nick enjoys all types of outdoor activities and the ability to travel to the unique destinations in Alaska where he installs and services the Marine Exchange’s AIS sites.

COLLIN WIGFIELD-GORKA

FIELD TECHNICIAN

(907) 463-2607

Collin moved to Juneau from the East Coast to attend UAS in 2004.

His original plan was to stay for a year or two but ended up accidentally staying for 14 instead after falling in love with the town’s surrounding mountains and ocean. Collin has worked a variety of jobs over the years but almost always with the common theme of working with his hands outdoors. He spent three years maintaining cabins and trails for the Forest Service and did a stint at a gold mine as an environmental technician. He also ran the service department at a bike shop. In his spare time Collin can usually be found in the hills on either a mountain bike or skis. When he’s not on land you can find him on the water in his home-built wood power dory aptly named Kustom also known as Fathead.

Erik Bachmann

Field Technician

(907) 463-2607

Erik began his nautical career at an early age of 7 months when his parents purchased a Nor’Sea 27 sailboat.

Raised in Fairbanks, Alaska, his family spent summers on the pristine waters of Prince William Sound. He left the state in 2003 to pursue a degree in Geology from Montana State University. After spending time in Montana and Utah enjoying the skiing and mountain biking, he returned to Alaska working as a mining geologist and state geologist. Feeling the call of the sea once more, his wife, dog, and he spent the last 3 years refitting and sailing an old 36 ft sailboat from California to Mexico, across to Hawaii, and ultimately to Juneau, AK. In all, a journey of some 15,000 sea miles. He now holds a USCG captains license and is excited to explore more of the waters of Southeast Alaska.

Ed Shanley

Field Technician

(907) 463-2607

Raised in Juneau, Ed grew up on the waters of the inside passage of Southeast Alaska. He went on to earn a BLA in English and a teaching certificate from Montana State University.

After college, Ed turned his attention to guiding wilderness adventure trips as well as working in the field of telecommunications. He is excited to be working at the Marine Exchange improving maritime safety to the benefit of his many friends and family that earn their living on the water around the state. A passionate skier, Ed has worked on and been featured in a number of ski and snowboard films. When not seeking out first descents in the mountains, Ed is usually found enjoying the wilderness with his wife and son around their cabin up the Taku River.

Kole Koski

Field Technician

(907) 463-2607

Kole, a local to Juneau, has called Southeast Alaska home his entire life. Aside from leaving to attend college in both Eastern Oregon and on the Island of Hawai’i he ultimately returned to finish his bachelor’s degree at the University of Alaska Southeast.

Kole began his career in the maritime industry at early age as a deckhand on a charter fishing vessel out of Auke Bay. At 20 years old he obtained his 50-ton captains license and guided anglers for sport fishing lodges out of Elfin Cove and Craig, Alaska. After years of charter fishing, he pursued his dream of commercial fishing and purchased a commercial troll permit and fishing vessel. Adding extra income when he could while attending school and working full time for the State of Alaska. Kole joined MXAK in December 2021. The majority of Kole’s career has been spent working for various departments within the State of Alaska, including the Alaska Department of Fish and Game and the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities, where he was a member of the Traffic Data Collection Team for the Southcoast Region. A die-hard fisherman and avid hunter Kole spends the majority of his free time out on the water exploring Southeast, in the woods, or at his cabin in Funter Bay with his wife and their two dogs.

Jason HOrt

MARITIME INFORMATION SPECIALIST

(907) 463-3064

Prior to his time at MXAK, Jason worked as a math and science teacher in public schools outside Philadelphia while his wife earned her doctoral degree at the University of Pennsylvania.

Upon her graduation, they looked for a change of scenery, and found their way to Juneau. Jason spent 1.5 years working with at-risk youth in the Juneau School District before setting out on his most challenging, and rewarding career; that of Stay-At-Home Father. Jason has now joined the crew at MXAK and is thrilled to be using his science background to assist the maritime industries that operate in Alaskan waters. When not at the Marine Exchange, or with his family, Jason can be found out on a local trail, on the ice at the local rink, or on his electric bass guitar.

Denver Enoch

Maritime Information Specialist

(907) 463-3064

Denver was born in a small village on the outskirts of Straubenhardt, Germany.

He grew up the eldest of three brothers and spent many years traveling and experiencing incredible and amazing cultures, Japan, France, England, Sweden, Denmark, Mexico and many places within the the US. Eventually, life brought him to Alaska. While in Alaska, he spent nearly 10 years in Barrow, now known as Utqiagvik. Here he started his professional career in Technology and worked for both the NSBSD, as well as Ilisagvik College. Utqiagvik is also where he met his wife. They moved to Juneau where he was an IS Technician for UAS and developed an even greater love and respect for Alaska. He has lived throughout much of Alaska over the last 20 odd years, and everyday there has been a new adventure, and he can't wait to see where life will take him with the Marine Exchange of Alaska!

Trevor Frommherz

Maritime Information Specialist

(907) 463-3064

Trevor retired from the Coast Guard in June 2023 after 22 years of service. Originally from Waupaca, WI, he joined the Navy after high school, completing a four-year term.

Afterward, he attended college and started a family. In 2005, Trevor reenlisted, this time in the Coast Guard, where he served for an additional 18 years. During his Coast Guard career, he was stationed onboard the USCGC Spencer in Boston and later worked at the Sector Boston Command Center, specializing in Search and Rescue. From 2014 until retirement, Trevor served at the District 17 Command Center as a Command Duty Officer. He takes pride in being a father to three remarkable daughters and enjoys hiking and biking during his free time.

Katelyn Rennicke

MARITIME INFORMATION SPECIALIST

(907) 463-3064

Katelyn grew up in Wisconsin on Lake Superior, where her love for a life on the water started.

As a kid she followed her Dad around while he was on writing assignments for National Geographic and a trip to Alaska sparked an interest for the mountain coastal environment. During college at the University of Minnesota Duluth, she spent summers working for the Tongass National Forest as a kayak ranger, really getting to know Southeast Alaska's wilderness. After many seasons living out of a sea kayak she worked towards getting her Captain's license to start crewing on small passenger vessels. This led to working as a deckhand and guide here in Alaska as well as a season in Antarctica. Katelyn joined the Marine Exchange in April of 2022 and is excited to be part of a growing organization focused on safe maritime operations.

John dickey

MARITIME INFORMATION SPECIALIST

(907) 463-3064

John Dickey, born and raised in Monticello, Florida. He grew up on small boats in the east coast and on rivers, where he found a love for fishing and hunting.

After graduating high school he joined the military as a parachute rigger. Once completing his training he was stationed in Anchorage, Alaska. While in the military he got to travel all over Alaska, he even got to travel to Japan. Throughout his travels he fell in love with Alaska’s beautiful habitat. After getting out of the military, John and his family moved to Juneau where he worked with Reach and Tides for 5 years before joining the MXAK team.

Edward Rivera

Maritime Information Specialist

(907) 463-3064

Edward was born in Southern California and moved up to Alaska in 2006 to attend college at UAS.

After several years working as crew aboard boats and working for a local Southeast Alaska non-profit, he joined MXAK in May of 2022. Prior to working at MXAK, Edward worked aboard whale watching boats with Allen Marine Tours and Juneau Whale Watch in Southeast Alaska and with Pacific Whale Foundation in Maui, Hawaii. While being a crew member on these vessels he discovered a fondness for the ocean and the maritime industry and continued working different positions until finally accumulating enough sea time and experience to become captain of his own vessel. Having both crewed and captained boats all throughout Southeast Alaska, Edward has used MXAK's real time weather and AIS and understands how important this information is in keeping everyone safe while out on the water. Edward is excited to continue working in the maritime industry and help keep the environment and mariners safe while transiting and enjoying Alaskan waters.

Jon Dale

Compliance Officer

(907) 463-3159

Jon enlisted in the Coast Guard in 1998 and went on to earn his commission as an officer in 2007.

He has been stationed in Long Island, Connecticut, Michigan, Minnesota and a tour in Sitka and 3 tours in Juneau, he has over 12 years of experience in Southeast Alaska. As a Senior Marine Inspector and Investigator, Jon recently retired as the Chief of Prevention, where he was responsible for all vessel inspections, marine casualty investigations, facility and waterways management/Aids to Navigation operations from Dixon Entrance to Yakutat. Jon enjoys fishing, skiing, hockey, running and spending time with his 3 daughters. Jon is also a volunteer ski and soccer coach.

Kimberly Valverde

Marketing Director

(907) 463-4296

Walter Swann

MARITIME INFORMATION SPECIALIST

(907) 463-3064

Walter was born and raised in the Florida Keys where he found his love for fishing and being in the ocean.

He eventually moved to northern Florida and spent most of his free time exploring the region's abundant rivers and natural springs. At 23, he travelled to Denali for the summer and fell in love with all the possibilities that Alaska had to offer and ended up spending over two years working in the National Park, backpacking, fly fishing, rafting, and kayaking in his off time. Walter joined the Marine Exchange in August of 2023.

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