Board of Directors

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The CYAK Board of Directors plays an essential role in the leadership of CYAK's ministry. We are grateful to have a board that cares deeply for the well being of youth and young adults in Alaska, and who are committed to seeing CYAK's ministry thrive - reaching more young people with the hope of Christ. Each board member brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to the table - helping CYAK grow and faithfully live into the work God has set before us.

Angel Dotomain
Board Chair | Anchorage, AK
angel@cyak.org

I am originally from Shaktoolik, a small Inupiaq village on the West Coast of Alaska. I am Cup'ik and Inupiaq Eskimo. My family is from the villages of Mekoryuk, Mary's Igloo, and Shaktoolik.
I have been involved in CYAK since I was a teen at MatSu Covenant Church in the 90s. I received my Masters in Business Administration in Health Services Administration from Alaska Pacific University. During my career, I have worked to increase the health status of Alaska Natives and American Indians through educational programs, recruitment, quality and process improvement, and overall leadership at both Tribal health organizations and within the Indian Health Service.

David Helwig
Board Treasurer | Plymouth, CA
davidhelwig@cyak.org

I am from Plymouth, CA where I retired from the health insurance industry in 2006. My wife, Nancy, and I both grew up in the Covenant Church and are graduates of North Park University. Our daughter Mary, also an NPU graduate, was drawn to Alaska to work at Covenant Bible Camp and staying with CYAK for several years in Unalakleet and on the road system. Through her experiences, I developed a heart for Alaskan youth and culture. I am grateful to be able to bring financial, organizational, strategic and development expertise from my experience throughout the years serving on non-profit boards. I currently also serve on the President's Advisory Committee of Alaska Christian College.

Curtis Ivanoff
Board Member | Anchorage, AK
curtis@alaskacovenant.org

I am originally from Unalakleet, AK and I currently live in Anchorage. I serve as Superintendent of the Alaska Conference of the Evangelical Covenant Church. I am motivated to serve on the CYAK board because God has placed a burden on my heart for young people in Alaska to come to know Jesus and to follow him as a disciple all their lives. It was when I was in my early adult years that my growth in my walk with Jesus set my life on a trajectory to love and serve God in whatever I did. My prayer is to see as many young adults as we can possibly reach seeking first God's kingdom for their lives and the world around them.

He is no fool to give what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lost - Jim Elliot

Dr. Ernie Koehrer
Board Member | Palmer, AK
ernie@cyak.org

I was born and raised in Canada where I attended a Covenant church and began seeing the great work that the Evangelical Covenant Church was doing worldwide. My family and I moved to the US in 1993 where I became an American citizen. In 1996, counter to "better career opportunities", God sent us North to Alaska and we have just loved it here. We have attended Mat-Su Covenant Church since then and as a result have seen the CYAK ministry grow in amazing ways. Our family has gone on multiple foreign mission trips, but my wife Denise and I, are always drawn back to the great opportunities to serve here in Alaska. I am retiring from my medical practice after 30 years and have been given the honor and joy to serve on the CYAK board. While this is an important function, I am most excited about the opportunity to become more personally involved in the lives of my fellow Alaskans both on and off the road system.

Valerie Thomas
Board Secretary | Bethel, AK
valeriecthomas@gmail.com

I am from Bethel and work in the accounting department at the local hospital. I am interested in serving on the board because I have personally benefitted from CYAK. I participated in youth groups, missions trips, and Bible camps in high school. After high school I attended Alaska Christian College and then went on to graduate from North Park University. Through participating in these events I have met many people that have invested in and mentored me which has helped shape my spiritual life. I feel so blessed to have had all those great experiences and pray that other youth can benefit from CYAK.

Dan Vaughn
Board Member | Olalla, WA
dan@cyak.org

I currently live in Olalla,Washington and attend Harbor Covenant Church with my wife. I started my relationship with CYAK many years ago as a volunteer building cabins at Bible Camp in Unalakleet. Following my career as a nuclear engineering manager for the United States Navy, I began working more intentionally with CYAK in August 2014. My visits to Alaska have impressed upon me the critical need for this Christ centered ministry to Alaska’s youth. Testimonials I have heard from youth and adults whose lives were changed, demonstrate the powerful way God has made and continues to make a difference in the lives of Alaska youth through CYAK.

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. For
through wisdom, your days will be many, and years will be added to your life.” - Proverbs 9: 10 -11

Jerry Wangberg
Board Vice Chair | Lynchberg, VA
jerry@cyak.org

I recently retired from the Air Force and Alaska Air National Guard and am currently farming in Southwestern Minnesota. As members of MatSu Covenant Church for 18 years, my wife Lisa and I were blessed to serve in many capacities and interact with the CYAK staff. During our time in Alaska we witnessed the growth and life-changing successes of CYAK, Covenant Bible Camp, ACC and the Amundsen Educational Center and feel called to continue to be a part of these amazing ministries. As the "Lower 48 Representative" I will be able to leverage my Alaska experience to share the CYAK mission and vision.

He told them, "The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field." - Luke 10:2
Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. - Romans 8:1

Dr. Kaye Zwiacher
Board Member | Green Lake, WI
kaye@cyak.org

Byron Bruckner
Executive Director | Palmer, AK
byron@cyak.org

I am the executive director of CYAK. I was born in Nome, AK and grew up in Alaska. I felt a strong call to minister to youth here when my wife Sue and I were living in Bethel, AK. The needs seemed great and the workers few. God has blessed CYAK with such wonderful staff and wider team network of volunteers who's hearts break for the spiritual needs of youth and young adults in Alaska. It is an awesome community of believers to be a part of. Sue and I count it a privilege to serve with Covenant Youth of Alaska.

Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.” - Matthew 9:35-39