Dr. Kevin Berry is an Assistant Professor of Economics at the University of Alaska Anchorage. He had a joint appointment in the Institute of Social and Economic Research from 2017-2020. Before joining UAA in January 2017 Dr. Berry was a postdoctoral associate at the Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies. Kevin is a member of the Beijer Young Scholars, a fellowship at the Beijer Institute at The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences. He received his Phd from the University of Wyoming in 2015.
Dr. Berry is an author of 11 peer-reviewed scientific publications, including 7 focused on the risk of pandemic infectious disease. While at UAA Dr. Berry has been a principal researcher on projects totaling more than $3 million, frequently as the sole economist on the project. He is currently overseeing a suite of projects focused on Alaskan fisheries and climate change, emerging infectious disease, and climate change in rural Alaska.
As a part of his service to Alaska Dr. Berry participated in the State of Alaska and Municipality of Anchorage responses to the COVID-19 pandemic, including modelling the outbreak and performing analysis and outreach on the costs and benefits of policies to fight the pandemic. He recently testified at a joint meeting of the House State Affairs and Health & Social Services committees and has made frequent media appearances to discuss the pandemic.
Dr. Berry has also given 29 invited seminars and conference presentations including at the University of Nebraska, University of Tennessee, the University of Illinois, Arizona State University, The World Bank, Yale University, and the University of Cambridge. Dr. Berry is a member of the American Economic Association, Association of Environmental and Resource Economists, and Western Economic Association International, and is a review editor at the peer-reviewed journal EcoHealth. He teaches a course on pandemic economics at UAA, and his children are 4th generation Alaskans. Kevin is an avid cyclist, hiker, and skier.
After 14 months of nothing but Zoom we are back! Friday marked our first in-person meeting and our first ever hybrid Zoom/live meet. Despite this reporter’s pessimistic prediction, the meeting was nearly flawless. We rejoiced in seeing Bill Sharrow, Penny May, Bill Pearson and Jason Baer again. All that and the box lunches, at least at the table I was at, were universally praised. Tim Trueblood reported on the District Awards call, with particular acknowledgment for Debra Mason’s pledge. Kevin Fimon also recognized with a $5 happy buck in thanks for Debra Mason and others for stepping up to do the Claire House meal while he was traveling. Ric Schmidt had $5 for Debra. Al Biss parted with $10 and Nelson offered $1 for the great PA system. Jan Ingram offered a undisclosed amount for receiving in person hugs from not less than three guys on her arrival! Jason Baer has $10 in happiness to be back as well as for wearing a shirt advertising one of his ventures. When Bill Pearson was asked how the family was he advised that they are in a new house having bought and sold at just the right time. Bill also assured us that his children aged 6,4 and 2 are maniacs. He didn’t seem surprised. Dr. Helena Wisniewski even introduced a guest (since proposed for membership), Carmella Warfield.
It was great to see our Coast International Inn friends, Rotarians and Board Members at the first in person meeting for year 63. Thank you to all those who helped make this meeting go so smoothly.
---Past President Angie Rush
The club will again be having a hybrid meeting this week. If you plan on attending in person at the Coast International Inn and ordering lunch, please RSVP to Janine Becka with your selection and side, if applicable. The menu was sent via email by Janine on Monday. Orders need to be placed by Wednesday evening and will be forwarded to the hotel's banquet manager early Thursday.
For those who aren't planning on attending in person, the ZOOM log in was also emailed by Janine on Monday.
Carmela is a longtime Alaskan resident, local business owner and real estate investor, with more than fifteen years experience in the Banking and Finance industry. Carmela and her family are involved and passionate community members, with many years of service and support of Alaskan philanthropic and non-profit organizations. Some of Carmela's service roles include: current Chair - Board of Trustees of Special Olympics Alaska (SOAK); past Chair - SOAK Board of Directors; Vice-Chair - VOA Alaska Board of Directors, Co-President - Hillside Community Council, as well as others. Carmela resides in Anchorage with her husband Jason and their two sons.
Carmela has been proposed for membership in Anchorage International Rotary.
Two noteworthy items from the Biss family this week. Daughter Anika completed her fifth book Suzuki with a flawless recital. For those not familiar with the Suzuki method it requires a co-commitment from a parent to also practice the chosen instrument, in this case piano. It is not clear which parent is mirroring Anika on the instrument.
Also this week, Shelley Biss and daughter, Anika, participated in the Gold Nugget Triathlon. Second year for Anika and more than that for Shelly. It is assumed that Al would have competed as well but, sadly, this race is for women only. We will be looking for photos of Allison trying to keep up with his wife and daughter in their next race.
Also this week, Shelley Biss and daughter, Anika, participated in the Gold Nugget Triathlon. Second year for Anika and more than that for Shelly. It is assumed that Al would have competed as well but, sadly, this race is for women only. We will be looking for photos of Allison trying to keep up with his wife and daughter in their next race.
