Staff
Chris Rose, Executive Director
Chris Rose is the founder and Executive Director of REAP. In 1983 he graduated Phi Beta Kappa and with Highest Distinction from the University of Iowa, with a B.A. in Political Science and a Certificate in Global Studies.
After working as a fundraiser for various non-profit public interest groups around the United States he received his law degree in 1990 from the University of Oregon, with a Certificate in Environmental and Natural Resources Law. For over 10 years his private practice in Alaska included representation of Native Alaskans from Northwest Arctic villages and the mediation of a variety of disputes around the state. He has been very active in local community affairs and has served on various statewide boards, including the Renewable Energy Grant Fund Advisory Committee. From 2004 to 2008 he wrote a monthly opinion column for the Anchorage Daily News. He enjoys traveling and spending time outside.
Hannah Gustafson, Assistant Director
Hannah Gustafson has been involved with REAP since its inception in 2004, first as a volunteer, then as an intern, and now as the organization’s Assistant Director. Before starting full-time with REAP, Hannah worked as an intern with the Alaska Energy Authority (AEA). While at AEA she had the great fortune of traveling across Alaska installing meteorological towers in numerous rural communities through the state’s anemometer loan program. A lifelong Alaskan who grew up in Kenai, Hannah received her Bachelor’s of Business Administration from UAA in management along with a minor in environmental studies and economics in 2005. While attending UAA, Hannah worked with the Alaska Center for the Environment as both a field and phone canvasser. This is where she found her passion for grassroots organizing and fundraising, two skills that come in quite handy working as REAP’s Assistant Director.
When not in the REAP office you will likely find Hannah hiking, traveling, working in the yard, cooking, or exploring Alaska with her husband Anders, their daughter Ella, and their faithful lab Tuli.
Caren Moss, Business Manager
Caren Moss joined REAP in December of 2007 as an AmeriCorps VISTA member and has continued to work for REAP after the completion of her service. Caren previously worked for another not-for-profit renewable energy education organization in Wisconsin and brings many strong skills to the REAP team. She holds a B.S. in Managerial Accounting from the University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point.
Growing up in Minnesota, Caren spent the majority of her time outdoors with her menagerie of pets, roaming the family farm and then later, exploring the outskirts of her hometown. After moving to Wisconsin, Caren also took an avid interest in cheese and the Packers, to the extent that she is now on a permanent quest here in Alaska to find the perfect cheese curd while cheering the Pack from thousands of miles away. Moving to Alaska had been a dream since reading her first Jack London story and she hasn’t been disappointed.
In her free time she hikes, bikes, XC skies, and finds creative ways to drive Chloe the cat crazy.
Stephanie Nowers, Communications Director
Stephanie Nowers is the Communications Director for REAP. She previously spent 16 years working as a reporter and editor for the Anchorage Daily News. During that time, she had the privilege of twice covering the Iditarod, flying to the North Pole, and chronicling various unique aspects of Alaskan life from fatal bear maulings to combat fishing on the state’s many salmon-rich streams.
She’s tracked renewable energy issues and developments in energy efficiency since her college days at the University of Washington where she earned a double degree in business and journalism.
She lives in Palmer with her husband, Stephen Nowers where she enjoys gardening, fishing, riding horses, and the challenges of raising two children.
Sophie Plitt, REAP Intern
Sophie Plitt is currently serving as a summer intern for REAP as part of the ACF Conservation Internship Program. She is entering her senior year at The New School University in New York City pursuing a degree in Environmental Studies with a concentration in Urban Ecosystems. Sophie’s special interest in urban plant biology has lead her to become an Urban Tree Pruner and found her schools Urban Forestry Club. After graduation, Sophie hopes to continue her work with environmental non-profits and eventually pursue a graduate degree in Urban Ecological Sciences.
In her free time, Sophie loves to ride bikes, hike, bake bread, play the guitar and xylophone, and knit up a storm. She’s so thrilled to be spending the summer in one of the most beautiful and dynamic places in the world and looks forward to taking as much in as she can during her time here
Jonathan moved to Anchorage from Boone, NC after completing a master’s degree from Appalachian State University in appropriate technology, which combines working with various energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies, project management, and community
Eian Katz, Summer Intern
Eian Katz is working as a summer intern for REAP through the Yale Alumni Community Service Fellowship. He is the oldest of four siblings and hails from Shaker Heights, Ohio.
In high school, he played soccer and ran track/cross country, and was president of his chapter of STAND: A Student Anti-Genocide Coalition. He has been active in several community service initiatives, working with Habitat for Humanity, the Cleveland Clinic, and on summer projects in Israel and Costa Rica. As a rising sophomore at Yale University, he is involved with No Closed Doors, Colleges Against Cancer, and the Road Running Club, among other activities. Though his major is currently undecided, his interests include religion, political science, and economics.
