Conference Staff
PRESIDENT In June 2004, Ken Crawford was elected as President of the Conference. Ken and his wife, Colleen, started their ministry here in Alaska in 1979. They served first as missionaries in Savoonga on St. Lawrence Island and then served for four years in Kodiak. Ken and Colleen have two children both born in Alaska. Son David is an English teacher and daughter Heather is a nurse. Ken, as leader in the Alaska Conference, has a real burden to see us all grow into a deeper spirituality as reflected in his vision and his leadership.
EXECUTIVE SECRETARY Coming from Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada, where he pastored the Kelowna and Wildwood churches, Ed, and his wife Cheryl, have lived and traveled in many different countries of the world. Ed has Native American ancestry from the Ojibway Nation in Northern Ontario and been involved in Native Ministries for many years. He has had a longstanding interest in health and is working on a PhD in Public Health. He has also worked as a Health Educator for the Canadian Government. Ed joined our team in August 2007.
TREASURER In January 2007, the team welcomed Sharon as the new Treasurer. Sharon is a Certified Public Accountant and has owned her own company since 2004. She has served as a financial officer for ADRA international as well as a General Conference Auditor. Sharon and her husband Thearon were a pastoral couple in Alaska from 1980-1986 and are delighted in returning “home.”
ASSISTANT TREASURER Nita brings to the office a breadth of experience in accounting and finances. Formerly a manager with First National Bank Alaska, she began her duties at the Conference June 1, 2007.
ADMINISTRATIVE SECRETARY Joining the staff in September of 2004 as a part-time assistant to Ken Crawford, she was officially hired as his full time secretary in January of 2005. She helps Ken’s office to run smoothly, maintains service records, acts as the conference clerk, keeps the records for the guest room reservations and maintains housekeeping as well. A life long Adventist and Alaskan, Brenda joined the conference in 2005 and is the first face visitors see when they come into the office. In addition to receptionist and education secretary, other responsibilities include providing administrative support to the communications department, website design and maintenance and all around office support. Brenda and her husband Terry have two daughters, Kiersten and Brielle.
COMMUNITY SERVICES / DISASTER RESPONSE
Butch Palmero
Dr. Butch Palmero moved to Anchorage in the fall of 2008 to head Adventist Community Services and Disaster Relief response for the conference. Working with government, education and local organizations, Butch is establishing the Adventist name as a key community resource. Formerly the pastor of the Delta Junction and Tok churches, Butch and his wife Melva (also a doctor), have two sons, Ephriam Jr. and Edrik.
EDUCATION SECRETARY / RECEPTIONIST