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.

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

Sandy Gold
Board Member | Anchorage, AK
sandygoldak@gmail.com

I am originally from Colorado, but married my husband of 45 years and we traveled the world with the Air Force. I became a Christian at 14 attended Wheaton College, and became a Certified Public Accountant in 1986. Most of my experience has been in Tax Accounting. We joined the Covenant in 1998 when we started attending Community Covenant Church in Eagle River, AK. I have served at Covenant Bible camp in a variety of position and loved all of them.

Dave Helwig
Board Treasurer | Plymouth, CA
davidhelwig@yahoo.com

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 - AK Conf.
Board Secretary | 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

Dale Kanen
Board Member | Anchorage, AK
dkanen144@yahoo.com

My family calls Sitka home. My grandmother was sent there to live at the Sheldon Jackson Vocational Boarding School at age seven. My wife, Susan, and I moved from Sitka to Anchorage in 2012. My Jr. High through college years were spent in the Washington DC area where I attended a large church with an amazing youth program. It was exciting to be in church fellowship! After graduating from the College of Engineering at the U. of Maryland, My wife and I returned to SE Alaska where I began a 34 year career with the U.S. Forest Service. For the next 25 years I taught teen Sunday School classes in Alaska. I think I have always has a passion to share the gospel with youth and with Alaska Natives in particular. Shortly before I retired, I was the Forest Service’s National Tribal Relations Director, again back in Washington DC.

Dr. Ernie Koehrer
Board Vice Chair | Palmer, AK
koehrer@mtaonline.net

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.

Darlene Ulak
Board Member | Scammon Bay, AK
eskimoboss_1966@yahoo.com

I am from Scammon Bay.

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