BSNC Announces Second LEAD Program Cohort

BSNC is pleased to announce the selection of participants for the second cohort of the Shareholder Leadership Exploration and Development (LEAD) Program. This cohort includes shareholder employees Annabelle Ryan, Alexis Walkins, and Mike Ross.

Designed to develop leadership skills among high-potential shareholders and descendants, the two-year program combines leadership training, mentorship, hands-on projects, and networking opportunities. Participants receive instruction in communications, team dynamics, project management, strategic leadership, change management, ANCSA, BSNC history, and cross-cultural awareness. Through ongoing training and professional development, the LEAD Program helps prepare future leaders while supporting long-term success within BSNC.

Annabelle Ryan

Annabelle Ryan serves as Benefits Manager, overseeing employee benefits administration. Her responsibilities include benefit enrollment, terminations, 401(k) retirement plans, reviewing and approving insurance invoices, reconciling insurance premiums with payroll, and managing employee leave requests.

Ryan joined BSNC in 2009 in the Accounting Department and moved to the Human Resources Department in 2013. She has built her knowledge through hands-on work, mentorship, and professional training. This fall, Ryan will begin the Business Administration-Management program at the University of Alaska Anchorage.

Ryan is the daughter of the late Fred Ryan Jr. and Karen Bradley of Unalakleet. She lives in Palmer with her husband, Christopher, and their daughters, Arya and Ava Kircher.

Alexis Walkins

Alexis Walkins was recently promoted to Assistant Payroll Manager. She joined BSNC in 2014 as a Payroll Specialist. Walkins holds a Fundamental Payroll Certification (FPC) and is currently taking classes to earn her Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) certification this fall.

Walkins was born and raised in Anchorage. Her parents are Wesley Rasmussen and Deborah Maxwell. Her paternal grandparents are John Rasmussen of Michigan and the late Myrtle Rose Rasmussen (Agibinik) of Unalakleet. Her great-grandparents are the late Wassilie Agibinik and Esther Anawrok of Unalakleet. Walkins lives in Anchorage with her husband, James, their children, Sierra and Bentley, and their two dogs, Kona and Nitro.

Mike Ross

Mike Ross joined Eagle Eye in spring 2024 as a Superintendent, with added responsibilities in cost estimating and project management.

Ross earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Construction Engineering Management from Oregon State University in 1993. In April 2026, he was promoted to Cost Estimator for the Alaska Construction Group. In this role, Ross leads estimating efforts for several subsidiaries, including Eagle Eye, Bering Straits Development Co., Stampede Ventures, Bering Straits Global Innovation, and Paragon Professional Services, focusing on federal construction projects.

Ross was born in Anchorage and raised in Seldovia, Alaska. His father is Mark Ross of Homer, Alaska, and his mother is the late Shirley O'Halloran (Katchatag) of Unalakleet. His maternal grandparents are the late Stanton and Irene Katchatag of Unalakleet. Ross lives in Anchorage with his wife, Gwen. Together, they have six adult children and four grandchildren.