Our Full Board of Trustees
Scott Bell, President
Scott received his BS in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Alaska, Fairbanks in 1982. He became a Trustee in 2004 and was elected President in 2022. He has served as the chair of both the Construction Committee and the Finance Committee. Scott is retired from the University of Alaska, Fairbanks. Scott enjoys photography, skiing, biking, hiking and tennis. He and his wife have four children.
Joe Faulhaber, Vice President (Trustee Emeritus)
Joe attended the University of Alaska, Fairbanks, and began a varied and diverse business career, including real estate sales and development, mortgage insurance, food/beverage and mining. He joined the Greater Fairbanks Community Hospital Foundation Full Board of Trustees in 1986 and is Vice President of the Executive Committee. Past and present board positions include the Greater Fairbanks Board of Realtors, Board of Governors Alaska Bar Association, Providence Hospital, Fairbanks Resource Agency, Honolulu Home Loans, Inc, Alaska Bar Foundation and as numerous privately held corporations. Joe enjoys fishing and hunting.
Karen Perdue, Secretary
Karen is a lifelong Alaskan with a background in health care and public policy. Most recently, Karen represented the interests of Alaska's hospitals and nursing homes as the CEO of the Alaska Hospital and Nursing Home Association. Before that, she served as the Associate Vice President of Health Programs at the University of Alaska and as Commissioner of Alaska's Department of Health and Social Services. Karen Joined the Foundation in 2013 and was elected secretary in 2022. She also serves as chair of both the Quality Committee and Governmental Affairs Committee. Karen also serves as a University of Alaska Regent and is a member of the American Hospital Association Committee on Governance.
Steve Frank, Treasurer
Steve is a lifelong Fairbanksan. He received his BBA from the University of Alaska, Fairbanks and began his career in banking before transitioning to the legislature. He served in the House of Representatives and then the Alaska State Senate where he was co-chair of the Finance Committee for four years. He also served on the Alaska Permanent Fund Board of Trustees. From 1989 through 2016 he developed, owned and managed an RV park and hotel property in Fairbanks. Steve joined the Foundation in 2019. As well as serving as the treasurer he serves on the Finance Committee and the Governmental Affairs Committee. Steve and his wife, Linda Anderson, have four children and nine grandchildren.
Jeff Cook, Immediate Past President (Trustee Emeritus)
Jeff is a lifelong Fairbanksan born at the old St. Joseph's Hospital. He received his BBA and MBA from the University of Oregon. Jeff joined the Foundation in 1987 and was elected President in 2007. A lifelong community leader, he is past member of the Alaska Airlines Community Advisory Board, the Wells Fargo Advisory Board and the Rasmusen Foundation Board. Jeff and his wife, Sue raised four children here and now enjoy being grand and great-grand parents.
Ryan Binkley, Trustee
Ryan is a fourth generation Alaskan. Born in Fairbanks, he spent his childhood in Bethel and Juneau while his father served in the Alaska Legislature. At eighteen, Ryan earned a 100-Ton Master Captain's License and began work as a Captain in the family business, The Riverboat Discovery. In 2000 Ryan earned a BS in Petroleum Engineering and an Associated Degree in Economics from the Colorado School of Mines. Ryan joined the Foundation in 2012 and joined the Executive Board in 2022. Ryan and his wife, Sabrina have two children, Simon and Clive. Ryan is a licensed pilot and spends his winters flying helicopters and playing hockey.
Wally Carlo, Trustee Emeritus
Wally is an Athabascan native born in Tanana and raised in Ruby, Galena and Fairbanks. He attended the University of Alaska, Fairbanks and Long Beach Business College. He is a member of the Union of Operating Engineers Local 302. Wally is the Doyon Drilling Director and President of the Fairbanks Resource Foundation. He serves on the Doyon Limited Board and has been the chair of the Finance and Investment Committee. Wally joined the Foundation in 1990. Wally enjoys biking, hiking, running, skiing and lifting weights.
Bernard Gatewood, Trustee
Bernard moved to Fairbanks in 2000 when he accepted the position of Superintendent of the Fairbanks Youth Facility. He served as a City Councilman and on numerous local boards such as, the Fairbanks Community Mental Health Center and the Greater Fairbanks Chamber of Commerce. He joined the Foundation in 2009 and is an inaugural member of the IT committee. He is also a member of the Governmental Affairs Committee and he joined the Executive Board in 2022. Bernard is a stepfather to two children with his wife, Traci. Traci and Bernard are enjoying life as active grandparents.
Andrea Gelvin, Trustee Emeritus
Andrea was born and raised in Fairbanks. She graduated from the University of Alaska, Fairbanks. She lived in Central for 15 years and obtained emergency medical training to assist her family and neighbors in a community that had no health care. Andrea is a Health/Science teacher at Hutchison High School and was named BP Teacher of the Year in 2004. Andrea joined the Foundation in 1990 and is a member of the Construction Committee. She has three children and three grandchildren. She enjoys women's hockey and is a volunteer firefighter and EMT.
Dr. Richard Hattan MD, Trustee Emeritus
Dr. Hattan moved to Fairbanks in 1982 when he joined Radiology Consultants. He retired after thirty-three years, twenty-five of those spent serving in medical leadership positions at Fairbanks Memorial Hospital. Dr. Hattan joined the Foundation in 2019 and is a member of the Executive Board and the Quality Committee. Dr. Hattan and his wife, Gail have two daughters and enjoy being grandparents and exploring areas of the Arctic not seen by many.
Galen Johnson, Trustee
Galen obtained his BS in Civil Engineering and MS in Engineering Management at the University of Alaska, Fairbanks. Galen was Vice President and co-owner of GHEMM Company until 2005. He was a teacher at UAF Community & Technical College and also chaired the Construction Management and Drafting Technology department until his retirement in 2022. Galen was named Engineer of the Year in 2008 by the Fairbanks branch of the Alaska Society of Professional Engineers. Galen joined the foundation in 2009. He chairs the Construction Committee and is a member of the Executive board.
Cheryl Kilgore, Trustee Emeritus
Cheryl obtained her BA in Biological Sciences and MA in Community Psychology from the University of Alaska, Fairbanks. She is the CRO of Interior Community Health Center ad a member of many organizations, including the Alaska Primary care Association and Arctic Alliance for People. Cheryl joined the Foundation in 1993 and is a member of the Executive Committee.
Dave McNary, Trustee Emeritus
Dave moved to Alaska in 1950 to attend the University of Alaska, Fairbanks. He is retired from the City of Fairbanks Engineering Department. Dave joined the Foundation in 1995 and is a member of the Construction Committee. Dave's wife, Carolyn joined Fairbanks Memorial Hospital as a nurse in 1968 and retired in 2019. They have one daughter, Heather. Dave enjoys boating, scuba diving and raising horses.
Ben Roth, Trustee
Ben was born and raised in Fairbanks. He received his BBA in Business Administration and a BBA in Economics from the University of Alaska, Fairbanks. Ben is owner of SBS Retirement Consultants, LLC and the investment manager for the University of Alaska Alumni Association. Ben joined the Foundation in 2010. He is passionate about working with kids as a hockey coach. He and his wife, Karma enjoy spending time with family and friends. Ben also enjoys traveling, skiing, swimming, running and biking.
Elizabeth Schok, Trustee
Elizabeth is a lifelong Alaskan. She left Fairbanks to attend Hood College in Frederick, Maryland where she earned her BA in Management. She lived in Phoenix for a few years before returning to Fairbanks, Elizabeth is a Realtor and Associate Broker with Somers Sotheby's International Realty. She is a Rotarian and serves on several community boards and committees. Elizabeth joined the Foundation in 2012 and joined the Executive Board in 2022. She also serves on the Finance Committee and the Governmental Affairs Committee. Elizabeth and her husband, Richard have three children, Nick, Andrew and Lyndsie.
Rich Seifert, Trustee Emeritus
Rich has been a Fairbanks resident for over 45 years. He is a Professor Emeritus at the University of Alaska, Fairbanks and has authored two books and numerous articles on cold-climate homebuilding. He is active on many non-profit boards and supports the arts widely in our community. Rich joined the Foundation in 1987 and is a member of the Construction Committee. Rich and his wife, Patty are the parents of two grown children.
Margaret Soden, Trustee Emeritus
Margaret obtained her degree from the College of Pharmacy, Oregon State University and has practiced as a Pharmacist at Medical Center Pharmacy and at Prescription Center Pharmacy. She is active with the American Associate of University Women and the Alaska Pharmacists Association. She is on the Board of Directors for the Farthest North Girl Scout Council. Margaret joined the Foundation in 1994 and is a member of the Executive Board and the Quality Committee. Margaret and her husband, Larry have two sons and enjoy spending time with their grandchildren.
Doug Tansy, Trustee
Doug was born in Cantwell and moved to Fairbanks for high school. He graduated from the IBEW Apprenticeship school and earned his Journeyman Electrician License as well as hi State of Alaska Electrical Admonitors License for Unlimited Commercial Wiring. Doug is currently employed by the IBEW Local 1574 and has over twenty-three years of construction experience Doug joined the Foundation in 2017. He is a member of the Construction Committee and joined the Executive Board in 2022. Doug and his wife have five kids with whom they enjoy all types of outdoor activities.
Matt Wilken, Trustee
Matt has called Fairbanks home for over 40 years. He is employed by Golden Heart Utilities as a Customer Service Manager. Prior to that, Matt and his wife, Michelle managed a local water home delivery business. Matt is a member of the Fairbanks Downtown Rotary, a Commissioner on the Chena Riverfront Commission and is active in local youth sports. He joined the Foundation in 2013. Matt is an avid fisherman and hunter and enjoys spending time with his family at Harding Lake.
Becky Zaverl, Trustee
Becky is a third-generation Alaskan, born and raised in Fairbanks. She received her degree in Elementary Education from Washington State University and MA in Education for the University of Southern Mississippi. She is currently the Principal of Denali Elementary school. She joined the Foundation in 2013. Becky and her husbands, Adam are the proud parents of three amazing girls, Maggie, Riley and Teagan. Becky is a cancer survivor and volunteer for the American Cancer Society.
Medical Trustee, Dr. William McIntyre (2024)
The Medical Staff Trustee is elected annually by the Medical Staff. The Medical Staff Trustee need not be a member of the Foundation before the election but must become a member to serve as Trustee.
Employee Trustee, Don Thibedeau (2024)
The Employee Trustee is appointed annually by the Executive Board. The Employee Trustee need not be a member of the Foundation before the election but must become a member to serve as Trustee.
Community Members who Volunteer their time for Committees
Mike Brase, IT Committee
Bob Carlson, Construction Committee
Tom Cerny, IT Committee
Mel Denning, IT Committee
Bob Hajdukovich, IT Committee
Bob Hubbard, Construction Committee
Jonal Machos, IT Committee
Denny Michel, IT Committee
Leland Rich, IT Committee
Mike Wright, Construction Committee
Greg Wyman, Construction Committee
Foundation Past Presidents
Dr. William R. Wood (1967-1976)
Ron Nerland (1976-1980)
William Mendenhall (1980-1983)
Edward Christiansen (1983-1987)
Stewart (Steve) Stephens (1987-2005)
Dave Rasley (2005-2007)
Jeff Cook (2007-2022)