Company: News & Events

Captain Emmaline (Emmy) J. Hill
UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS
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Captain Emmy Hill (nee Venechuk) was born on February 3, 1982 in Petersburg, AK, to Tim and Cheryl Venechuk.  She attended Tri-Valley K-12 School and graduated in 2000.  She grew up as a Coal King in the Healy Hockey Program, played hockey and soccer in high school and also ran cross country.  As a senior in high school she applied for and was awarded a Marine Corps Reserve Officer Training Corps scholarship to attend the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, IN.  Emmy graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in American Studies in May 2004, and went to Quantico, VA for the Marine Corps’ Officer Candidate School.  She was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps upon graduation in August, 2004.

She graduated from The Basic Officer’s School in the top 10% of her class on the Commanding General’s Honor Roll and selected to become a “Logistics Officer.”  Her first duty station was Camp Pendleton, CA, where she served with Combat Logistics Regiment-15 (CLR-15), 1st Marine Logistics Group (1st MLG) as the Assistant Operations Officer and Training Officer. 

Emmy deployed in February 2008 to Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) as the Current Operations Officer for 1st Supply Battalion, Camp Al Taqaddum, Iraq.  She was responsible for vehicle convoys, resupply missions, vehicle recovery operations and route clearance missions.  In September 2008 she redeployed to Camp Pendleton, CA, where she assumed the duties as Headquarters and Service Company Commander, 1st Maintenance Battalion and was promoted to Captain.  Emmy deployed again in March 2009 with U.S. Central Command to Kuwait and Baghdad, Iraq in support of OIF and Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF). She was awarded the 2009 I Marine Expeditionary Force Leadership Award presented by the Navy and Marine Association.

In October 2009 Emmy reported to Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, CA to lead 45 Marines and was responsible for Embarkation, Motor Transport, Utilities, Facilities, Ground Safety, Arms, Ammunition and Explosives, Armory, and Maintenance Management missions of the unit.

In November 2011, she assumed her current duties as Staff Secretary for the Commanding General of Marine Corps Installations Pacific supporting United States Forces Japan, United States Forces Korea, and over 35,000 military service members, civilians, and families throughout Hawaii, Japan, and the Republic of Korea.

Emmy married Chief Warrant Officer 3 Tony Hill in December 2012 in Okinawa City, Okinawa, Japan.  Tony retired from the Marine Corps on 1 May 2013 with 22 years of dedicated and honorable service to Corps and country.  Captain Emmy Hill has been selected to attend the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, CA, for the Masters in Business Administration program in Logistics and Materiel Management and reports for duty in June 2013. 

Captain Hill’s awards include the Joint Achievement Medal, 2 Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medals, and the Meritorious Service Medal. 

Mr. William (Bill) C. Graham returned to work at Usibelli Coal Mine, Inc. during July 2012.  He worked at UCM from 1994 through 2002 as a Heavy Equipment Operator, Welder and Mechanic. During that time he was a driver on Haul Pack - 95 ton dump trucks, dozers, loaders, and grader. He also worked as an explosives powder handler and as an industrial welder. During 2002, Mr. Graham began a ten year employment at the Clear AFS, Central Heat and Power Plant quickly rising to the Maintenance Supervisor position.  Bill has a wealth of experience in the areas of safety, management, and emergency services. As the Safety Director he is responsible for the evaluation and control of safety and health hazards at Usibelli Coal Mine.  He will work with all UCM personnel to minimize occupational health and safety risks and to manage compliance with applicable regulations. Bill and his wife, Tina, have made their home in Healy since 1989. Their family increased along the way with members including daughter, Kami, and sons, Ethan, Caleb, and Christopher.

Congratulations to Usibelli Coal Mine, Inc. and Alaska Affiliates being ranked #33 among the top 49 Alaskan owned corporations and businesses.  Photo of the Top 49 plaque being presented to Lorali Simon, VP External Affairs, by Alaska Business Monthly President and General Manager, Mr. Jim Martin.  

This year's recipient for the William A. Egan Alaskan of The Year was announced Tuesday, October 2nd at the Alaska Chamber annual conference in Anchorage, Alaska.

Joseph E. Usibelli Jr. of Usibelli Coal Mine, Inc. (UCM) is the recipient of the 2012 William A. Egan Alaskan of The Year award. The celebrated and prestigious William A. Egan award is presented to individuals who have made substantial and continual contributions of statewide significance while working in the private sector. Usibelli is the President of UCM. His leadership has had a profound impact on the business community of the entire State of Alaska for many years. Joe started his business career more than 30 years ago, working his way through the corporate ladder as a purchasing agent, general foreman, and engineering intern while pursuing his education. For many years he has volunteered his talent, expertise, experience, counsel, intuition, and commitment to his local community and the greater community of Alaska. He has advocated for a highly educated and motivated population of all ages and backgrounds.

 

 

 

 

Tuesday, July 24, 2012
Federal Overreach Threatens State’s Rights, Alaska Jobs
PALMER – “The Obama administration is trying to bully the State of Alaska by second-guessing permitting decisions that were made 16 years ago,” stated Lorali Simon, Vice President of External Affairs for Usibelli Coal Mine.
In a letter dated July 19, the federal Office of Surface Mining (OSM) is challenging decisions made by the State of Alaska dating as far back as 1996 regarding the Wishbone Hill coal mine project near Sutton.
The State of Alaska has authority to issue permits and manage the Alaska Surface Coal Mining Control and Reclamation Act. Yet in response to complaints from extreme environmental organizations, the Obama Administration is disputing past decisions made by Alaska regulators. Some of the points of contention relate to permitting decisions that took place prior to Usibelli owning the leases and permits. Usibelli acquired the project in 1997.
“The fact that the Obama administration chose to communicate with environmental organizations before it communicated with the company that it is supposed to oversee demonstrates an insincere approach to regulation,” Simon said. “It is appalling that OSM continues its attack on state’s rights,” she added.
In January 2012, the State of Alaska Department of Natural Resources sent a strongly worded letter to OSM defending the validity of the Wishbone Hill permits. “Usibelli is confident that Governor Parnell will continue to stand up to the federal government and oppose its attempts to stop development of Alaska’s natural resources and destroy jobs for Alaskans.” Simon stated.
Usibelli Coal Mine has operated in Healy, Alaska since 1943. This Alaskan owned and operated company also has active coal leases in the Sutton area called Wishbone Hill. The company launched a feasibility study to analyze further development of the mine in 2010. UCM is undergoing final analysis to determine the best course of action to further develop Wishbone Hill.
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For questions regarding this issue, please call Lorali Simon, 745-6028 or 982-6744.