In 2003, the Municipality signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the U.S. Maritime Administration (MARAD), a federal agency under the U.S. Department of Transportation, to develop, fund and administer the Port of Anchorage Intermodal Expansion Project.  As the Project Owner, the Port of Anchorage, is responsible for securing funding and coordinating the construction phasing to fit the Port’s needs.  MARAD’s responsibilities include contracting authority, oversight, quality assurance, and managing the project funds.  MARAD contracted with a company called Integrated Concepts & Research Corp. (ICRC) to develop the Port project. ICRC’s responsibilities include providing program management and procurement service.

ICRC in turn hires subcontractors, most of which support construction and design efforts. For example, following a competitive bid process based on “best value,” West Construction Company, Inc. was awarded the 2011 construction contract.  West Construction is an Alaskan based company employing local workers on the project. To learn more about their extensive experience installing this type of project design both within Alaska as well as around the world, click here.  http://www.bwcc.us/index.html

In January of 2011, the Port of Anchorage initiated a new Project Management and Oversight Organization. The first tier of this organization is comprised of Mayor Dan Sullivan, Municipality of Anchorage, and MARAD Administrator David Matsuda. Ultimately their role is to provide strategic oversight of the project and make policy determinations as needed.

The second organization tier is called the Project Oversight Team. Their role is to provide executive leadership, vision, policy, strategic objectives and priorities for the project by providing guidance to the Technical Development Team regarding construction, environmental, dredging, permitting and related issues.  They are also tasked to ensure the Memorandum of Understanding between the Municipality of Anchorage (MOA), the Port and Maritime Administration (MARAD) is current and properly executed.

The Oversight team meets weekly and consists of the following people:

Municipality of Anchorage:

• George Vakalis, Municipal Manager

Port of Anchorage:

• Richard Wilson, Port Director
• Bob Owens, Municipal Attorney

Maritime Administration:

• Keith Lesnick, Associate Administrator
• Ryan Kabacinski, Attorney
• Michael Carter, Director, Environment

ICRC (in an advisory capacity)

• Carl Williams, President
• Diana Carlson, Vice President of Operations

Technical Team Reps:                    

• Todd Cowles, Port Engineer
• Robert Loken, MARAD Field Lead

The third tier in the new oversight and project management structure is the Technical Development Team. This team consists of specialists from the Municipality of Anchorage, the Port of Anchorage, ICRC, MARAD, along with representative from other organizations and sub-contractors as necessary. The Technical Development Team meets weekly tocommunicate and coordinate day-to-day planning, construction and operations to implement the approved Phasing Plan.  They resolve procedural issues pertaining to the work, task orders, scheduling, accounting, budgeting and other technical and administrative functions in accordance with the policies, strategies and key documents provided by the Project Oversight Team. The Technical Development team must also troubleshoot emerging technical issues and challenges and make recommendations to the Project Oversight Team. The Technical Development team provides updates and makes recommendations to the Oversight Committee on a weekly basis.

To learn more about the new organizational structure contact us at (907) 343-6200 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.