Bill Popp, President & CEO
Bill Popp has spent more than 30 years in both the Alaska private and public sectors. As President & CEO of the Anchorage Economic Development Corporation, he sets the strategic direction in marketing Anchorage and Alaska to companies and global industries considering Anchorage as a place in which to do business and assists local businesses looking to expand outside of Alaska.

Prior to joining AEDC, Popp served as special assistant to Mayor John J. Williams of the Kenai Peninsula Borough (KPB) with a focus on oil and gas development. From 1996 to 2002, he held an elected position on the KPB Assembly and, in 2000, he presided over the Assembly as president. He also has private industry experience as a small business owner.

Popp has served as chairman of the KPB Economic Development Criteria Task Force; project coordinator of the Challenger Learning Center for Alaska; vice chairman of the Alaska Stranded Gas Act Municipal Advisory Group; co-chair of Governor Murkowski's Agrium Task Force; chair of the Kenai Peninsula Development Coalition; consultant for the British Columbia Provincial Government's Offshore Oil and Gas Team; and, member of the Cook Inlet Natural Gas Pipeline Terminus Group.  He is currently a board member of the Anchorage Chamber of Commerce, Anchorage Convention & Visitors Bureau and commissioner member for the Anchorage School District Education & Workforce Advisory Commission.

Erin Ealum, Business & Economic Development Director Erin brings 15 years combined experience in marketing, management, strategic planning and business development to AEDC. Erin is responsible for finding opportunities for business and industry growth in Anchorage and helping Anchorage and Alaska-based companies expand beyond Alaska. She is also responsible for helping attract new business to Anchorage and generating business opportunities for AEDC investors. In addition, she will also be responsible for economic analysis, data tracking and reporting for AEDC. Prior to joining AEDC, Erin worked as Program Manager for S&K Aerospace, a Salish and Kootenai tribally owned company based out of St. Ignatius, MT where she was responsible for the management of the contract with the Directorate of Public Works located on forts Richardson and Wainwright. Before that, Erin was the marketing manager for Arctic Slope Telephone where she was responsible for the marketing operations of the cooperative and held the position of market analyst for another Alaska-based telephone company. Erin holds an MBA in technology management from the University of Phoenix and a BBA in marketing from the University of Alaska Anchorage.

Ryan Makinster, Communications Director Ryan brings more than ten years of public relations, communications and government relations experience to AEDC. His primary role is to market Anchorage as an ideal location to conduct business. As part of this effort he also works to position Anchorage as a great place to live, work and play. He is responsible for public relations and marketing campaigns within the state of Alaska as well as nationally and internationally. Ryan is also responsible for website development and social media initiatives. In addition, he assists with investor relations, event coordination and government relations. Prior to joining AEDC, Ryan worked as a legislative and committee aide for multiple legislators in the Alaska State House and Senate. Before that, he spent 5 years in hospitality and tourism marketing in Seattle, Washington. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Communications with an advertising emphasis from the Edward R. Murrow School of Communications at Washington State University.

Amy Goodwin, Business Development Assistant Director As Business Development Assistant Director, Amy is tasked with staying abreast of the latest transportation issues affecting Anchorage and Alaska and ensures that AEDC management is aware of transportation projects, such as the Knik Arm Bridge Toll Authority and the Municipality of Anchorage’s long-range transportation plan.  She also works with AEDC management to identify business opportunities for logistics companies and serves as the point of contact for AEDC on international trade issues. Amy holds a bachelors degree in global logistics management from the University of Alaska Anchorage and is a member of the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals.

Allison M. M. Van Eck, Office Manager Allison brings more than eight years of experience in financial operations and office management to AEDC. Allison oversees financial and general operations for the organization. Her roles include accounting, human resources, and records management. Prior to joining AEDC, Allison worked as administrative coordinator of finance for the Northern Forum, an inter-governmental organization of circumpolar-northern regional governments. At the Northern Forum Secretariat, she was responsible for a broad range of administrative duties involving financial accounting and office operations. Allison is currently working toward her bachelor’s degree in accounting at the University of Alaska Anchorage.