Alaska’s Kenai Peninsula Chapter Board of Directors

President, Ted Spraker, retired, is best known for his distinguished 28-year career as a state biologist with the Alaska Department of Fish and Game and for his exceptional service on the Alaska Board of Game. Appointed to the Board in 2003 by Governor Frank Murkowski, Ted became one of the longest-tenured members in the board’s history. He served multiple terms as Chairman, bringing steady leadership and deep insight to the role. Widely respected for his vast institutional knowledge, Ted is regarded by many as one of Alaska’s foremost experts on wildlife management and conservation. In 2021, Ted was selected for the Governor’s Conservationist of the Year award.

Vice President, Sam Evanoff, retired First Responder. Sam served as a firefighter/medic for CES for 25 years. He was awarded Firefighter of the Year from the State of Alaska for rescuing a granddaughter and her grandmother from a burning structure in 1995.  This happened while he was driving to work for his shift as a Kenai River State Park Ranger.  In 2014, he was notably featured in regional news while working solo shifts at the Funny River Fire Station during a period of staffing shortages.

Secretary, Roy Smith, Retired from the State of Alaska/Department of Corrections after 31 yrs. He supervised the daily operations of several prison facilities and transported prisoners around the state. Roy enjoys the hunting, fishing and trapping opportunities afforded Alaskans and being involved with our local Safari Club. Roy has gained most of his notoriety for harvesting a black bear and musk ox with a spear.

Treasurer, Anna Hermanson, CFO South Peninsula Hospital. Anna has an extensive background in non-profit and conservation leadership serving many years supporting various trapping organizations including serving as a regional board member to the National Trappers Association before joining the KPSCI board. In April 2025, she was awarded a Fellowship by the Healthcare Financial Management Association (HFMA) for her expertise and commitment to community service.

Mike Crawford Mike is a successful business entrepreneur and former Chairman of the Soldotna/Kenai Alaska Department of Fish and Game Advisory Committee. Throughout his life, he has consistently taken on leadership roles and demonstrated a strong commitment to hunter rights and wildlife conservation. Mike has served as our chapter president and is on the Executive Committee for SCI at the national level and is slated to become the upcoming national President of SCI.

Mike Watson, FedEx Pilot, retired Pennsylvania Air National Guard officer served as the commander of the 193rd Special Operations Maintenance Group. Mike served under Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom deploying, 11 times to the Middle East and Africa. Mike served a total of 29 years. We thank for him for his service!

Jeff Bryden, retired after a dedicated career in law enforcement, Jeff served with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the National Park Service, and the U.S. Forest Service. Today, he is the owner and operator of Gone Again Charters, proudly based in Seward, Alaska, where he shares his deep knowledge of the region’s waters with visitors and locals alike.

Bryan Vermette, Marine Pilot Captain and member of the Southwest Alaska Pilots Association. As a pilot for SWAPA, he is responsible for navigating large vessels through the complex coastal waters of Southwest Alaska. In 2014, Captain Vermette provided professional assistance and expertise for a comprehensive Navigation Risk Assessment of Port MacKenzie, Alaska. This study analyzed the safety and feasibility of bringing larger ships into the port, and his contributions were specifically acknowledged by the researchers at Safeguard Marine LLC. He has been involved in maritime simulations and safety studies at AVTEC (Alaska’s Institute of Technology) in Seward, helping to assess risks for commercial maritime operations in the state.

Steve Klaich, Steve retired after a remarkable 31-year career teaching math and science and coaching at Nikolaevsk School. In addition, he taught in the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District for 32 years and dedicated a total of 35 years to education in Alaska. Throughout his career, Steve coached his teams to multiple championships, leaving a lasting legacy of excellence, dedication, and inspiration in both the classroom and on the field.

Robin West, retired wildlife biologist and administrator who spent 35 years with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, an agency within the Department of the Interior. He is most recognized for his 30-year career in Alaska, where he managed some of the state’s most prominent wildlife refuges. Robin was a refuge manager during a “contentious time” following the passage of ANILCA (Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act). Since retiring, Robin has focused on writing and public speaking.

Ben Eveland, Ben Eveland is a longtime Alaskan educator and school administrator known for his leadership in vocational and technical education. Over a career spanning several decades, he has held key positions across different Alaskan school districts and vocational institutions. In 2007, he was appointed the founding principal of the Mat-Su Career and Technical High School (CTHS). Ben later served as the Director of AVTEC in Seward, Alaska

Coleen Watson – Coleen is a former teacher and Preschool Director at Camp Hill Presbyterian Church, where she played a significant role in early childhood education and church leadership. She served as a Deacon at the church for several years, contributing her time and dedication to the congregation. Coleen is the driving force, the true engine behind our club, ensuring everything runs smoothly and efficiently. A proud military wife, Coleen spent many years as a single parent while her husband served our country with honor.

Elaina Spraker – Elaina currently serves as the Kenai Peninsula/Kodiak Regional Director for U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan, a role she has held since 2015. In this capacity, she acts as a trusted policy advisor to the senator on wildlife conservation issues and public lands access. A dedicated advocate, Elaina is a certified NRA instructor and has long served as the clinic director for the “Women on Target” and “Teens on Target” programs. She has devoted much of her career and life to championing hunter advocacy and Second Amendment rights.