Alaska business people

Sammye Pokryfki has been promoted to senior program officer. Pokryfki, who joined the staff in 2005 as a program officer, manages the Foundation's sabbatical program, which has awarded 41 nonprofits funding to allow their leaders essential, extended leave.

Aleesha Towns-Bain has been promoted to senior program associate. While she is currently on loan as interim executive director at the Alaska Children's Trust, she will soon return full-time to Rasmuson Foundation. Upon her return, she will manage the Tier I program.

•The Alaska Railroad Corp. has hired Dale Wade as vice president of business development. He will be responsible for marketing, promotion, sales, pricing, product design and implementation of freight and passenger services. He most recently served as the president of GoldStar Logistics Solutions.

• Jim Raymond was recently elected to a second consecutive term as president of the National Association of Letter Carriers, Branch 4319, Anchorage. The local union represents nearly 400 active and retired letter carriers from Palmer to Homer.

Other officers elected were Robert Johnston, vice president; Maureen Berlin, recording secretary; Chris Crutchfield, financial secretary/treasurer; Lyal Hanson, health benefits representative; Terry Mayberry Russell, sergeant-at-arms; and Jennifer Atwood, Laura Novak and Kim Roberts, trustees.

• Darla Green has joined Denali Alaskan Home Loans as a senior loan originator. She will be based at the main office at 471 W. 36th Ave. She has more than 20 years of experience. Prior to joining the Denali Alaskan Home Loans team, Green worked with Wells Fargo Home Mortgage.

• Visit Anchorage announces James Minton as its new vice president of communications. Minton has extensive experience in Alaska's visitor industry. He most recently served as director of membership and communications with the Alaska Travel Industry Association.

• Mikunda, Cottrell & Co. has announced the promotion of Lia Patton to vice president/director in the audit department. Prior to joining the company, Patton worked in the banking industry for eight years. Patton oversees the Employee Benefit Plan Services Group of Mikunda, Cottrell & Co. and currently oversees approximately 25 employee benefit plan audit engagements.

The following promotions have taken place in the tax department: Zac Rankin and Tommy Orr received promotions to tax seniors; Sabra Lamb, Kurtis Klawiter, and Sean Hogan and Leanne Albritton were all promoted to tax in-charge.

Rankin graduated from Linfield College in Oregon; Orr is a graduate of Central Washington University; Lamb and Hogan are graduates of UAA; Kurtis Klawiter is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin at River Falls; and Leanne Albritton is a graduate of Missouri State University.

• myHealth Clinic LLC welcomes Brian Erdrich, advanced nurse practitioner, to its medical services practice. Erdrich joins the clinic after 13 years of working at Providence Alaska Medical Center. A provider of immediate and family care, he also has training and experience in cardiac medicine.

The Business People column announces the hire or promotion of employees to senior or mid-level professional or supervisory positions Submissions for the Business People column must be e-mailed to biz@adn.com. JPEGs may be sent as attachments. Please, no faxes or other hard copy. The submissions become the property of the Daily News and the newspaper may use them in any format for any purpose without compensation.