PEOPLE
Dr. Brian Hirsch, PhD
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER & CO-OWNER
Dr. Brian Hirsch founded the company in 2015. He has focused on microgrid and renewable energy integration, multi-scalar energy storage, independent power producer formation, utility support, project finance, and community development in remote locations. He has directed and facilitated clean energy development and project management for a wide range of clients, including large Independent Power Producers, multinational engineering firms, Alaska Native corporations, Tribal governments, Indigenous communities, Federal Government agencies and National energy laboratories, municipalities, electric utilities, and non-governmental organizations. He has also led grid-scale battery energy storage workshops in Alaska and abroad.
In addition to acting as Senior Project Leader for the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Dr. Hirsch received an NREL Achievement Award for his efforts in establishing the Strategic Technical Assistance Response Team (START), an Obama administration priority program under the US Department of Energy. He also served as Chairperson of the Alaska Emerging Energy Technology Fund Advisory Committee from 2010-2015, a position appointed by the Governor of Alaska.
He received a Master’s certification in Energy Analysis and Policy and a Doctorate in Land Resources from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, focusing on energy issues in northern regions of the world. He also holds a Bachelor’s degree in Government and Political Science, with an additional focus on Electrical Engineering from Cornell University.
Areas of expertise: Project Management • Wind-solar-battery-diesel Hybrid Systems in the Northwest Arctic • Diesels-off Operation • Technical Assistance for Alaska Native Organizations & Communities • Multiple Biomass Thermal District Heating Loops • Village-scale Hydro-diesel Project Support
Tashina (Maasak) Duttle
CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER & CO-OWNER
Tashina has a background in project management and has spent the majority of her career developing and managing infrastructure projects for rural, Tribal communities in Alaska. Tashina is Iñupiaq from the North Slope of Alaska, her Iñupiaq name is Maasak. Her maternal family is from Nuiqsut, she was raised in Nikiski and her paternal family is from Arizona.
Tashina worked at the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium from 2015-2020 where she managed their Rural Energy Program and the National Tribal Water Center, in that position she managed tens of millions of dollars of infrastructure planning, design and construction funding for energy and sanitation projects in rural Alaska while overseeing a multi-discipline team of project managers, engineers, and administrative staff.
Tashina has a Master’s Degree in Project Management from the University of Alaska Anchorage, and a Bachelor’s degree in Sustainable Resources Management with an occupational endorsement in Sustainable Energy from the University of Alaska Fairbanks.
Areas of expertise: Project Development • Project Management • Assembling Teams • Team Management & Oversight • Developing Scopes of Work & Competitive Solicitations • Grant & Proposal Writing • Community & Regional Energy Planning
Devany Plentovich
CHIEF TECHNICAL OFFICER & CO-OWNER
Devany has extensive experience managing projects, fostering collaborative teams, and facilitating results. From 2009 to 2019, Devany was the Program Manager for Biomass and Combined Heat and Power at the Alaska Energy Authority where she was Co-lead of the Alaska Wood Energy Development Task Group, with a focus on energy cost reduction in heating systems, job development, and the management of sustainable fuel sources. Before her work with AEA, Devany worked for Kimberly-Clark Corporation in various roles in Operations Management, Maintenance, Projects, and Environmental Sustainability. She led international teams in Latin America and China to create new consumer products and was awarded 4 patents in process and product design by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
At DeerStone, Devany is focused on the technical side of project development and execution, including economic and technical feasibility analyses, design reviews, system commissioning, operating and maintenance procedures, and troubleshooting. Her passion is to equip communities with well-designed, appropriate technology, proper O&M tools, and superior training to assure that the energy goals are achieved and exceeded.
Devany is a member of the United States Forest Service’s Woody Biomass Technical Support Team where she works with public and private sector facility owners to evaluate and develop community scale projects that use woody biomass for heat and power. She has received a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Christian Brothers University and a M.S. in Environmental Science and Policy from the University of Wisconsin – Green Bay.
Areas of expertise: Community Education & Outreach • Grant Writing & Project Finance • Project Management • Energy Planning & Resource Assessment • Renewable Energy Technical Screening • Feasibility Assessment • Engineering Design Review • Development of Operations and Maintenance Procedures • Operator Training Systems • System Commissioning • Technical Troubleshooting • Economic Analysis, including Power Cost Equalization
Dr. Levi Kilcher
SENIOR CONSULTANT
Levi is a former Energy Advisor to the U.S. Department of Energy’s Arctic Energy Office, where he focused on advancing decarbonization, resilience, and equity in the Arctic energy sector and broader economy. Prior to DOE, he served as the lead scientist for marine energy resource characterization at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). In that role, he helped shape NREL’s marine energy research strategy, authored numerous publications on resource measurement and quantification, and led multi-lab efforts to produce high-resolution marine energy datasets.
Throughout his career, Levi has also supported rural Alaskan communities in exploring renewable energy options tailored to their cultural, environmental, and economic contexts—including but not limited to marine energy. He grew up on Dena’ina Lands near Homer, Alaska, and holds a B.S. in Physics and a PhD in Physical Oceanography from Oregon State University.
He is passionate about identifying local renewable energy solutions that align with community priorities and believes Alaska has a unique role in shaping the global energy future. Outside of work, Levi enjoys rock climbing, running, mountain biking, hiking, skiing, and especially backpacking with his family in Alaska’s mountains.
Areas of expertise: Energy Planning & Resource Assessment • Project Management • Research and Data Analysis • Regional Energy Planning • Grant Writing • Economic Analysis • Public Speaking
Kristina Andrew
SENIOR TRIBAL ENGAGEMENT & INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT MANAGER
Kristina D. Andrew or Alqayaagaq is of Yupik, British, and Norwegian descent and belongs to the Curyung Tribal Nation. She was born in Dillingham, Alaska to parents Lee Ann Andrew from Wyoming via Britain and Norway and Peter Andrew Jr of the New Stuyahok tribal community. She spent a few years in New Stuyahok as a young child, before returning to Dillingham where she has spent most of her life. Kristina lived in California for 7 years where she graduated high school in 2005, completed some college, and returned home in 2011. She lived in Naknek for a year (2015-2016).
Kristina has a Bachelor of Arts in Rural Development from the University of Alaska Fairbanks, Bristol Bay Campus. She has experience in community outreach, Tribal engagement, and Tribal project planning, development and implementation. She worked for the Bristol Bay Native Association as the Economic Development Program Manager where she assisted Tribal communities in their project planning efforts. Additionally, she worked as a State Legislative Aide during the 2015 & 2016 sessions.
Kristina believes in putting people first and in working together as a team for the betterment of Indigenous people. She has a commitment to public service that benefits Tribal communities, encourages partnerships, promotes Tribal sovereignty, cherishes cultural values and land, developing tribal opportunities, and promotes young people’s engagement in the public processes. Kristina is a third-generation Bristol Bay fisher and has her own permit, and currently lives in Dillingham with her two children, Kevin and Cody Ann.
Areas of expertise: Community Education & Outreach • Grant Writing & Project Development • Project Planning & Management • Community Planning & Resource Assessment • Developing Scopes of Work • Workforce Development
Gavin Dixon
SENIOR PROJECT MANAGER
Gavin has been developing infrastructure projects in rural Alaska for over ten years. Before working with DeerStone, Gavin worked at the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium managing planning, design, and construction of infrastructure projects to include energy, water, sewer, and climate change mitigation projects. Gavin spent four years overseeing the ANTHC’s role in the relocation of the Newtok Village to Mertarvik.
At DeerStone, Gavin works with a variety of clients to develop rural and Tribal community energy and infrastructure projects ranging from high-penetration solar-battery projects to multi-purpose community buildings, and transportation projects. He has extensive experience and success in securing grant funding for capital projects throughout rural Alaska. Gavin grew up in Anchorage, where he and his family currently live on the traditional lands of the Dena’ina people in East Anchorage. Gavin’s hobbies and interests include mountain biking, downhill skiing, and trying to keep up with their dog Cholla. When he isn’t working, Gavin can be found with his wife Trina and their twin children, Brynn and Holden.
Areas of expertise: Project Management • Project Planning & Development • Grant Writing • Energy Efficiency • Local and Tribal Government Capital Projects Development • Tribal Health System Capital Projects • Arctic Water & Sanitation Project Management • Contracting & Contracts Management • Legislation Evaluation
Tana Smith
MECHANICAL ENGINEER (EIT) & PROJECT MANAGER
Tana Smith is a Mechanical Engineer and Project Manager at DeerStone, bringing over nine years of experience in data analysis, project management, regulatory compliance and agency reporting. With a background rooted in oil and gas integrity management, she has transitioned her expertise to drive the development of energy systems in rural communities across Alaska. Tana’s provides technical assistance for grant applications and owner’s representation for projects.
At DeerStone, she fosters collaboration amongst clients, contractors, and subcontractors, and ensures project goals align with client expectations. With meticulous attention to detail, Tana is able to craft comprehensive scopes of work, manage logistics, and implement remote energy and infrastructure projects effectively. As a strong communicator and dedicated team player, she grows and cultivates relationships with industry vendors, agency staff and regional entities, facilitating successful project outcomes. Tana holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from University of Alaska-Fairbanks and is a certified Mechanical Engineer-in-Training.
Areas of expertise: Project Management • Planning, Integration & Commissioning • Design & Technical Analysis • Material Selection • Mechanics, Operations & Maintenance • PCE reporting
Leah Olsen
MECHANICAL ENGINEER, EIT
Leah Olsen is a licensed Mechanical EIT, with a passion for harnessing technology to make a real impact on people’s lives. She has experience in reliability engineering, working with asset management systems to develop and maintain maintenance records for the manufacturing facility of a multinational pharmaceutical company in Bend, Oregon. She has also worked at municipal utilities, including the City of Bend Water Department, where she worked with water plant operators to develop operational guides for the city water system.
Her project management experience includes leading a team of peers to design an air-filtration system for use in NASA spaceships. She is proficient in Blue Mountain Regulatory Asset Manager (CMMS), Solidworks, and Hach WIMS. At DeerStone, she has experience with community outreach and the development of community energy action plans. Her passion is in translating technical details into easily operable systems that allow rural Alaskan communities to achieve energy independence.
She completed her bachelor’s in Mechanical Engineering with a focus on renewable energy at the University of New Haven in Connecticut and holds a prior Bachelor’s Degree in Chemistry from Williams College. Her previous professional endeavors include commercial fishing and natural building construction. She lives in an octagonal house in Homer with her partner and their dog, Syd.
Areas of expertise: Grant Writing• Regional Energy Planning • Developing Tribal IPPs• Regional Energy Planning • Direct Community Outreach • Technical Advising • Grant Management • Power System Inspection • Training Staff on Operation & Maintenance of Renewables • Troubleshooting Renewables Systems • Owner’s Rep Services
Chris Cronick
CIVIL ENGINEER, P.E.
Chris Cronick earned his B.S. in Energy Systems Engineering from the University of Wyoming and is currently a registered Civil Engineer in the State of Alaska and a Certified Energy Manager. Prior to joining DeerStone Chris worked at the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium (ANTHC) for six years as a Tribal Utility Support Engineer, where he provided engineering and technical support and operator training for water/wastewater utilities and energy systems throughout Alaska. In addition to training operators on water/wastewater treatment systems, he conducted energy assessments and completed energy upgrades on water/wastewater utilities. The upgrades included installing solar PV on buildings, installing VFD/controls on pumps, energy management training and conducting boiler control upgrades, cleaning and tuning. He has continually advocated for and supported local operators through training and workforce development.
Chris has been steadfast in his dedication to renewable energy, energy conservation and sustainable development, which is evident in his entrepreneurial venture, Frontier Energy Advising, where he conducted energy modeling and advised on HVAC design. Additionally, while working at Sustainably Built LLC as a Building Energy Analyst/Lead HVAC Designer in Colorado, he consulted on holistic energy conservation and efficiency design for custom single and multi-family buildings.
He was born and raised in Anchorage where he now has a family with his wife and two young boys who love to hear Chris talk about the solar PV system he recently installed in their home. If not geeking out on energy, Chris can be found in the mountains enjoying everything this beautiful state has to offer.
Areas of expertise: Energy modeling & consulting • Energy Management • Project Development & Management • Operator Training & Support • Technical troubleshooting • Preventative Maintenance & best Practices
Karen Benning
(CONTRACTOR) GRANT WRITER
Working with the nonprofit, government, and tribal sectors for more than 20 years, Karen provides extensive grant writing in a wide array of subject areas, including health and human services, housing, community infrastructure, arts and culture, and others. Her grant writing efforts have raised more than $100 million towards crucial projects and programs throughout Alaska. She has worked with a variety of organizations in the areas of capacity building, strategic planning, and communications.
Her degree in Business Administration, combined with her early career as a CPA and a later Master’s Degree in Fine Arts (MFA) in Creative Writing, give her a combination of skills that well serves communities and organizations looking to build capacity and expand programs and services. After more than two decades in Alaska, Karen now lives in Boise, Idaho with her husband, where they enjoy camping, mountain biking, road cycling and hiking.
Areas of expertise: Grant Writing • Project & Program Planning • Team Management & Coordination • Capacity Building • Strategic Planning • Communications
Kelsey Seybert
BUSINESS SUPPORT MANAGER
Kelsey has a strong background in aviation technology, business administration, and Spanish. She studied at the University of Anchorage Alaska and joined DeerStone with a diverse skill set. Prior to her current role, she developed employee processes and policies, integrated multiple software systems, and managed benefits and payroll for a 150-person organization. She also streamlined company procedures and trained new hires on complex contract agreements.
At DeerStone, Kelsey oversees daily accounting, contracts, invoicing, administrative functions, and drives continuous process improvements. She consistently reviews and refines workflows to enhance efficiency and effectiveness.
Kelsey lives and works on Dena'ina Land and is Aleut from Port Heiden. She is a mother of two, active in her community, and serves as an Executive Board Member and Chair of the Development Committee for Victims for Justice. In her free time, she enjoys cooking, reading, sightseeing, and spending time with her family.
Areas of expertise: Technical Writing • Proficiency in Various Software Platforms • Management • Organizational Change and Development • Employee Recruitment • Regulatory Compliance • Communication Skills • Complex Contracts
Naya Kramer
PROJECT MANAGER
Born and raised in an off-grid community outside of Girdwood, Alaska, Naya grew up immersed in the rugged beauty of the Chugach Mountains. Her upbringing in a close-knit, self-sufficient Alaskan environment shaped her deep passion for community resilience, environmental justice, and honoring traditional Alaska Native knowledge.
Naya holds a B.A. in Environmental Studies and Geography, along with a minor in Environmental Systems and Society from the University of California, Los Angeles. During her academic journey, Naya gained hands-on experience in sustainability-focused spaces, community organizing, and the study of global socio-ecological systems. While pursuing her major abroad, Naya conducted collaborative research on communities, water rights, and sustainability in the La Araucanía region of Chile. This project offered the opportunity to engage deeply with traditional Mapuche culture, broadening her understanding of Indigenous knowledge systems.
After living, working, and studying in California for 3 years, Naya recently returned home to Alaska. She is excited to be home and joining the DeerStone team where she is committed to advancing equitable, sustainable, and community-oriented energy solutions across the state.
Areas of expertise: Project Management • Project Planning & Development • Energy Efficiency • Local and Tribal Government Capital Projects Development • Arctic Water & Sanitation Project Management • Legislation Evaluation
Frana Burtness-Adams
PROJECT MANAGER
Frana's ancestors are Norwegian, German, and Scottish and her parents are from the rural Midwest. Frana was born and raised in Alaska in King Salmon, Naknek, and Fairbanks and has spent her adulthood living in Fairbanks, Haines, and the Lower 48. Frana goes by all pronouns, and currently resides in Fairbanks in a dry cabin in the woods with their spouse and cat.
Frana's niche lies in her understanding of privilege, power, and oppression, asking thought provoking questions, approaching problem solving from different angles, and creating a space for people to share and collaborate. Frana's intent is to bring compassion, honesty, curiosity, and encouragement to every client interaction and honors and recognizes the trust each client gives us.
Frana has a Masters in Applied Sociology and Conflict Resolution from University of Massachusetts Boston where she researched undergraduates' perception of 'diversity' and mediated small claims cases. Frana has been consulting since 2019 and specializes in project management, internet access to rural communities, and facilitation of a wide variety. Frana has worked at and within non-profits, tribal organizations, tribal governments, state departments, restaurants, higher education, cross organizational coalitions, guiding companies, and consulting networks.
She would always rather be outside on the land and water, loves beading, cooking, swimming, foraging and harvesting, and spending time with those she loves.
Areas of expertise: Project Management • Facilitation • Communication • Outreach • Project Development
Grace Ellwanger
FEDERAL FUNDING NAVIGATOR
Grace grew up in a small town in Northern Michigan and discovered her passion for environmental stewardship early on. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Studies and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) before moving to Kodiak, Alaska, in 2020 to pursue her career.
In Kodiak, Grace worked at the Kodiak Area Native Association, where she contributed to a range of impactful projects, including citizen science initiatives for monitoring ocean acidification, harmful algal blooms, and paralytic shellfish poisoning. She also worked on backhaul and recycling efforts, food security and climate adaptation planning, and economic development projects for Kodiak villages. Through these experiences, Grace gained a deep appreciation for community- and Tribally-led projects and developed a strong commitment to supporting Tribes in achieving their environmental goals.
In 2024, Grace relocated to North Carolina with her partner, who serves in the Coast Guard. Despite the move, she remained dedicated to Tribal environmental work in Alaska. Grace now serves as the Western Alaska Federal Funding Navigator, a collaborative role supported by DeerStone Consulting, the Northern Latitudes Partnership, and the Igiugig Village Council. Her work focuses on enhancing grant-seeking and writing capabilities for Tribes and Tribal organizations, fostering connections, and ensuring open communication between Tribes and funding agencies.
In her free time, Grace enjoys traveling, cooking, gardening, sewing and exploring the outdoors with her partner and their dog. She is passionate about continuing her work to support Alaska’s Tribes and contribute to meaningful environmental and community initiatives.
Areas of expertise: Project Management • Facilitation • Communication • Outreach • Project Development
Kate Modler
PROJECT MANAGER
Kate is an energy professional with a passion for innovative energy systems and sustainable solutions that strengthen resilient communities. Her work has spanned solar photovoltaics, agrivoltaics, and electrification research both in Alaska and abroad. Her journey to Alaska began as a summer intern at the Alaska Center for Energy and Power, where she later returned as a full-time employee supporting solar instrumentation and beneficial electrification projects.
Originally from Colorado, Kate grew up immersed in the Rocky Mountains and carries a deep connection to the outdoors. She holds dual bachelor’s degrees in Energy Physics and Quantitative Energy Systems from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she gained skills in energy management, instrumentation, and mathematical modeling. During her time at UNC, she studied abroad in Bangkok, Thailand, taking graduate-level courses at the Joint School of Energy and the Environment at King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi. There, she conducted a life cycle assessment of solar photovoltaic infrastructure and waste management systems across Southeast Asia.
Now based in Anchorage, Kate is excited to bring her commitment to energy equity and sustainable development to her work in Alaska—and grateful to once again live surrounded by mountains.
Areas of expertise: Solar Photovoltaics & Agrivoltaics • Beneficial Electrification • Energy Research & Instrumentation • Life Cycle Assessment • Sustainable Development • Mathematical Modeling
Chris Pike
RENEWABLE ENERGY CONSULTANT
Chris moved to Alaska in 2004 “for a year” and quickly fell in love with the land and its people. For more than a decade, he has been deeply involved in Alaska’s solar industry, beginning with the early days of net metering on the Railbelt. His career spans research, utility-scale project development, and residential solar installation.
Chris spent over a decade with the University of Alaska’s Alaska Center for Energy and Power, where he conducted research on solar thermal and high-latitude solar PV opportunities, cold-weather heat pumps, and low-temperature geothermal resources. More recently, he served as a project manager with Renewable IPP, an Alaskan solar developer, where he advanced utility-scale solar projects before joining the DeerStone team.
Chris holds a Master of Science in Technology and Environmental Design (Renewable Energy Technology) from Appalachian State University and a bachelor’s degree in International Relations from Boston University. His work reflects a strong commitment to practical, innovative renewable energy solutions designed for Alaska’s unique conditions.
Areas of expertise: Solar Energy Systems (PV & Thermal) • Utility-Scale Renewable Project Development • Cold-Climate Heat Pumps & Geothermal Research • Renewable Energy Performance Modeling • Project Management • Community-Based Energy Solutions
Kara Stanley
(CONTRACTOR) ACCOUNTANT
Kara is an experienced accounting professional with more than 15 years of experience across both public and private sectors. She is the founder of PowderClause Accounting LLC, where she provides bookkeeping and accounting services tailored to the needs of small businesses throughout the Pacific Northwest. Prior to launching her own firms, she served as an Accounting Services Senior with Larson Gross CPAs & Consultants in Washington, and earlier as an Accountant and Payroll Manager with Mikunda Cottrell Accounting & Consulting in Anchorage, Alaska.
Kara studied Accounting and Business Administration at the University of Alaska Anchorage. She holds multiple professional certifications, including as a Certified QuickBooks ProAdvisor, Bill.com Guru, and Patriot Payroll Advisor. Her career reflects a focus on supporting entrepreneurs and small business owners with practical, reliable financial management.
Based in Washington, Kara brings her entrepreneurial spirit, financial expertise, and problem-solving mindset to her role at DeerStone Consulting.
Areas of expertise: Small Business Accounting & Bookkeeping • Payroll Management • Process Improvement • Account Reconciliation • Financial Systems Implementation • Client Advisory Services