Alliance 2003 ‘Meet Alaska’ conference to be held Jan. 24

Petroleum News Alaska Staff

The Alaska Support Industry Alliance will hold its annual “Meet Alaska” conference Jan. 24 at the Sheraton Anchorage Hotel.

Patrick Wood, chairman of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, is the keynote speaker.

Featured speakers include: Michael Flynn, vice president Americas, ExxonMobil Development Co.; Thomas Petrie, energy analyst and co-founder of Petrie Parkman & Co.; Thomas Knudson, senior vice president, government affairs and communications, ConocoPhillips; and Russell Jacobs, vice president and director, Purvin & Gertz Inc.

Kevin Meyers, president of ConocoPhillips Alaska Inc. and Jack Williams, Alaska production manager for ExxonMobil Production Co., will provide local industry updates.

The state's U.S. congressional delegation and Gov. Frank Murkowski have been invited to participate.

Patrick Wood III, FERC chairman, was formerly chairman of the Public Utility Commission of Texas. Wood, who has a bachelor's degree in civil engineering from Texas A&M University and a law degree from Harvard Law School, worked as an engineer with ARCO Indonesia and as an attorney with Baker & Botts in Washington, D.C.

Knudson, ConocoPhillips senior vice president, replaces Robert McKee on the program. McKee's retirement was announced recently. Knudson was senior vice president of human resources, information management and corporate communications for Conoco Inc. from 2001 to 2002 and chairman of Conoco Exploration Production Europe Ltd. from 1997 to 2001. He is a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy and has a master's degree in aerospace engineering from the Naval Postgraduate School.

Registration is $200 for members and $225 for non members. Call The Alliance 563-2226 for more information.