• The law firm of Sonosky, Chambers, Sachse, Miller & Munson has hired Joan M. Wilson, former law clerk to U.S. District Judge H. Russel Holland. Wilson will be of counsel to the firm's Anchorage office to assist in the health, transportation, construction and litigation practice areas. Prior to joining the firm, she spent two years as an assistant district attorney prosecuting violent crimes.
• Best Lawyers, a peer review publication in the legal profession, has named Janet D. Platt the "Anchorage Best Lawyers Family Lawyer of the Year" for 2011. Only a single lawyer in each specialty in each community is honored as the "Lawyer of the Year." Best Lawyers compiles its lists by conducting peer-review surveys. Platt maintains a trial and appellate practice.
• Sara Kasper has joined ASRC Energy Services as associate general counsel. Kasper previously worked at WilmerHale in Washington, D.C., where she handled congressional investigations, regulatory compliance and enforcement matters, and government contract issues. Don Gray has joined AES as the director of health, safety, environmental and training. He is a certified workers' compensation professional with a bachelor's degree in health care administration.
• Suzanne Rudolph has been appointed president of the Providence Alaska Foundation. Randolph came to Providence in 2001 and has served as development officer, director of operations and, most recently, vice president of the foundation. She brings extensive experience in fundraising, board leadership, management and strategic planning.
• The Anchorage Convention & Visitors Bureau has named Chrissy Johnson as convention sales and service assistant, Zulie Mason as a membership and advertising sales manager, Susan Sommer as film/special projects manager and Nedra Anderson as human resources manager. Johnson works with meeting planners to make final arrangements for conventions booked in Anchorage, as well as preparing for and supporting ACVB meeting planner familiarization tours and site inspection visits. Mason previously worked in ACVB's communications department in 1998. As film/special projects manager, Sommer is ACVB's liaison to the state film office, Alaska Film Group and productions exploring Alaska as a possible location for their film and photo projects. Sommer also coordinates ACVB's support for large community events like Anchorage Fur Rendezvous and the Carrs/Safeway Great Alaska Shootout. Anderson has more than 18 years' experience as a human resources professional.
• The Council for Advancement and Support of Education announces that Matanuska-Susitna College math professor Ping-Tung "PT" Chang has been honored as a 2010 United States Professor of the Year. Chang, who has taught at UAA's Mat-Su College for 22 years, received the award at a recent ceremony in Washington, D.C. In 2009, CASE named Chang Alaska's Professor of the Year; regional awards are given to educators in each state. The 2010 award honors the best of the best in the nation.
• The Associated Builders and Contractors of Alaska has named Suzanne Armstrong chapter president. Armstrong previously served as campaign manager for Ralph Samuels' gubernatorial campaign as well as director of marketing and public affairs for the Port of Anchorage and chief of staff for state Rep. Kevin Meyer.
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