SEAK Solutions

History of SEAK Solutions

SEAK Solutions began as a meeting at a Juneau coffee shop between two
gentlemen, Mr. Anthony Distefano and Mr. Travis Reed. They saw this need
for renewable energy in Juneau and Southeast Alaska and created SEAK
Solutions to offer Juneau and Southeast Alaska renewable energy forums
and education opportunities. While initially a vision to bring biodiesel
to Southeast Alaska either by producing or importing, the vision has
expanded to include all forms of renewable energy and giving access to
individuals, communities, and businesses that wish to use them. Through
a series of public meetings held monthly, partnerships and discussions
with businesses and communities, and talks given throughout Alaska,
SEAK Solutions has investigated their potential role in bringing
sustainable and renewable energies to Southeast Alaska.

As an example of our community involvement and concerns, we have formed a partnership with the Tlingit Haida Central Council, who has a vested interest in introducing sustainable energy to the villages of
Southeast Alaska. It is predicted that within three years many of the native residents of the villages in Southeast Alaska will need to move due to the rising costs of fuel and heating, becoming "energy refugees". SEAK
Solutions was created with the hope to rise to the challenge to help
people, such as those in these villages, to keep their way of life. In
order to gather people with similar interests in renewable energies such as
biodiesel and encourage people of varying talents to become involved,
SEAK Solutions began to hold public meetings in Juneau at the Douglas
Public Library. In total, SEAK Solutions has now held 12 meetings,
including board and public forums which have brought 100 people in
attendance. Separately Mr. Reed and Mr. Distefano have presented to 100 people at the Juneau Home Show at Centennial Hall in March 2008, Juneau Energy Forum May 2008, University of Alaska Anchorage Biodiesel Forum May 2008, and the University of Alaska Southeast Sustainability Forum in April 2008. What began as a meeting between two people who foresaw the strain that the current energy practices have and will continue to put on
communities in Alaska, has now grown into an organization with much
promise and drive to help combat the energy crisis.

The SEAK board comprises of individuals possessing a wide range of
diverse skills and experiences. Initially, Anthony Distefano brought his
renewable energy consulting experience from developing projects
internationally, while Travis Reed, having grown up on Prince of Wales and run his own business, brought his diverse technical background and community organization skills to start a formidable team. At one of the first public meetings, Steven Wade,  the Economic Development Director of the Tlingit and Haida Central Council made an appearance and has since
signed on as a member of the SEAK Solutions board. Having worked with FEMA during the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina he has a unique perspective considering the potential disaster of an energy crisis. During these past couple of months of organization in Juneau, Andy Krohn, Jeff Hastings, and Amy Dripchak joined the board as well. Andy Krohn (Chief Engineer of the Baranof Hotel in Juneau) has pioneered usage of Waste Vegetable Oil as a fuel for the boilers of the Baranof Hotel's heating system for two years, now bringing his engineering and negotiating skills to SEAK Solutions. Jeff Hastings, a Tlingit born and raised in Juneau, owns
the company Taku Tours, adding a business perspective to the mix, and
plans to use biodiesel in his buses and vans. Amy Dripchak (previous
Administrator for SEACC) contributes her organization and people skills.
With this broad range of talents, SEAK has a promising future and is
currently searching for a grant to pay for an administrator position as well
as biodiesel production and distribution.

Who We Are

We are a biodiesel cooperative moving toward creating biodiesel in Juneau for the people and communties of the Southeast. 

Your Board Members:

Anthony Distefano - a Southerner with a head full of knowledge and the motivation to give this project life.

Travis Reed -

grew up in rural Southeast Alaska and has a strong value for finding creative solutions for the energy needs of small villages and communities.  He first began to think through alternative energy 
solutions during a very eye opening trip to China.  Travis is our  community coordinator and PR rep.  He and Anthony started SEAK  solutions in October 2007 in an effort to garner community support  for biodiesel production in Juneau.  Travis lives in Douglas where he  and his four children can occasionally be seem bombing around in  their 1981 diesel VW which runs on vegetable oil, diesel, or  biodiesel.  He can be reached at: 907.321.1943.

Jeff Hastings - local business owner and financial advisor to organize SEAK Solutions into a vehicle for production.

Andy Krone - likes to work with the oil hands on.  He can turn oil into fuel in five seconds flat.