Modernizing Telecommunications Infrastructure

The chapter enjoyed an excellent turnout for its October luncheon, as approximately 55 members and guests attended to hear from Kurt Marshall, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), on the Alaska Satellite Telecommunications Infrastructure (ASTI) modernization program. Marshall is a senior engineer at the FAA's Alaska Regional Office. He discussed the program phases to upgrade 59 remote sites with redundancy, diversity, reliability, durability, and remote monitoring and management. This satellite network covers Alaska's 586,000 square miles with remote, unmanned sites located in some of the most rugged terrain and harsh weather in the United States. Additionally, Lt. Col. Brian Hippel, USAF, newly elected chapter president, kicked off the meeting with an overview of the chapter's mission, vision and goals. Ed Ryglewicz, regional vice president, presented the chapter with a $1,000 STEM grant, and Steve Gonzalez, president of Gonzalez Marketing, presented the chapter with a $1,000 corporate sponsor check. Both checks will go toward educational grants within the state of Alaska.

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