Meet Our Leadership Team
Matthew McConnell
President and CEO
Jeff Vogt
Chief Operating Officer
Jeff is responsible for strategic direction, management and daily operations. He’s focused on delivering a best-in-class customer experience, driving enterprise innovation, and continuing to upgrade and expand our world-class fiber network. Jeff is a telecom leader with more than 25 years of operations and business management experience. He earned a B.A. from Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Virginia and M.A. from The George Washington University Elliott School of International Affairs. He and his wife are parents to two children.
Brea Schmidt
Chief Financial Officer
Brea is responsible for company growth in a fiscally responsible manner, driving financially accretive operational decisions and partnering with the executive team in setting the strategic direction of the company. She has served in several leadership roles in private equity, most recently as vice president of an investment firm. Brea earned a B.B.A. in finance and accounting from Washburn University. She and her husband live in Anchorage with their three children.
Patrick Bergt
SVP, General Counsel and Secretary
Patrick leads our legal and regulatory functions. He is an experienced attorney with civil, criminal, municipal and regulatory experience in matters unique to Alaska. He received his law degree from the Thomas Jefferson School of Law in San Diego, California. He’s a lifelong Alaskan and lives in Anchorage with his wife and two young children.
John Baxter
Vice President, Carrier and Wholesale
Heather Cavanaugh
Vice President, External Affairs and Corporate Communications
Tony Dodge
Vice President, Network Planning
Stephen Gebert
Vice President, Enterprise Security, PMO, Facilities and Compliance
Steve leads enterprise security, project management, facilities management and is chief compliance officer. In this role, he oversees a variety of risk management and security programs, FCC compliance, project management, facilities management and more. Steve was a decorated Naval Officer with more than 20 years’ active-duty service, which included flying combat missions. He earned a bachelor's degree in aerospace engineering and mechanics from the University of Minnesota, a Master of Science in project management from the University of Alaska Anchorage and a Master of Arts in national security and strategic studies from the U.S. Naval War College. Gebert has five grown children and lives in Chugiak with his wife.
Dale Knipp
Senior Vice President, Business
Dale leads all business sales teams, including enterprise and wholesale, carrier and federal, opportunity management, managed IT services and SMB. He is an experienced and outcome-driven leader with many years of telecom and technology experience. He has worked in various capacities with large telecoms including Comcast, Verizon, Cox, Dish and Charter. He earned his undergraduate degree from University of Kansas, an MBA from University of Phoenix and executive management certification from Carnegie Mellon University. Dale is a history buff, loves reading, traveling and doing all things outdoors. He and his wife Carrie are parents to two daughters.
Jessica Linquist
Vice President, Human Resources
Jessica leads our human resources, including compensation and benefits, workforce development, employee engagement, performance management and labor strategy in partnership with our legal team. Jessica previously served in human resources roles at several of Alaska’s largest resource development companies, including Hilcorp, BP Alaska and Alyeska Pipeline Service Company. She has a master’s in public administration from the University of Alaska Anchorage and a bachelor’s from Western Washington University. Jessica lives in Anchorage with her husband and three daughters. They enjoy boating, snowmachining, skiing and travel.
Eric Moeser
Vice President, Operations
Eric leads service delivery, field services, managed IT service operations, customer service, technical support and IT operations and application development. He is driving innovation by bringing artificial intelligence to our operations to improve customer experiences. Eric brings 30 years of operations and business management experience including leadership roles at Nike and Bowflex/Nautilus. Eric and his family enjoy travel, tennis, golf, and college football.
Kathleen Redmond
Vice President, Strategy and Operations
Kathleen leads our federal broadband grant program and is a member of the team that helped win federal grants to fund the Alaska FiberOptic Project. She also leads carrier relations and has served in various sales and strategy roles during her 10 years at Alaska Communications. Kathleen is active in the community serving on various boards. She holds a B.S. in Business Administration from the University of Montana and an EMBA in Information Communication Technology from Alaska Pacific University, obtained while working for ACS and utilizing the our employee education reimbursement program. She enjoys traveling, baking, quilting, and spending time with her children and grandchildren.
Our Advisory Board
Meet Our Advisory Board Team
Comprised of Alaskans, the Alaska Communications Advisory Board brings unique community and customer perspectives to guide decision making. Together with the leadership team, the Advisory Board evaluates the needs of Alaska businesses and consumers, identifies new opportunities, serves as the eyes and ears in the community, acts as ambassadors for Alaska Communications, supports business development and creates dialog with community members and business and political leaders.