PEOPLE WE KNOW: Oct. 11, 2017

Wilson-Balais announce engagement

Forrest Wilson and Gemma Balais were engaged while in the Necklace Valley, Alpine Lakes Wilderness of Washington on Sept. 7, 2017. Gemma Balais is the daughter of Pio and Beatrize Balais of the Philippines. Forrest Wilson is the son of Hank Wilson of Eugene, Oregon, and Merry Maxwell of Palmer. Gemma lives in Wenatchee, Washington, where she works for the Colonial Vista Assisted Living Center as a Medication Aide. Forrest lives in Chelan, Washington, where he works for the State of Washington as a Commodities Inspector.

Kimpton recognized as ‘Alaskan of the Week’

Wasilla’s Rozann Kimpton, a coordinator with the Volunteers of America Grandfamilies and the 2017 recipient of the Alaska Angels in Adoption Award, was recognized as part of Sen. Dan Sullivan’s series “Alaskan of the Week” in September. Kimpton and her family made the trip to Washington, D.C. to meet with Sullivan.

Rigas appointed campus manager for Charter College Wasilla

Melissa Rigas has been appointed manager for the Charter College campus in Wasilla, where she is responsible for overseeing all aspects of the campus including admissions, financial aid, academics, student success, career services and community outreach, according to a news release.

“I am so honored to be entrusted with these tasks and I am ever observant to see what the community needs so the Wasilla campus staff and faculty can get involved and lend a hand, or two,” Rigas said.

Charter College Wasilla, located at 721 W. Parks Highway, has been open since 2007.

Rigas has spent her career working in higher education, including most recently serving as an Adjunct Professor for the University of Alaska in Anchorage and an English Language Tutor for the Anchorage School District. She has also served as the Center Director for ELS Language Centers in Teaneck, New Jersey; Cross-Cultural Communication & Management Specialist for Group ESC (Rouen Business School) in Rouen, France; and Manager/Instructor for SOFRESA in Saint Cloud, France. She is bi-lingual in French, and proficient in Spanish, Korean, Arabic, Chinese and Japanese.

She earned her Ed.M in Administration and Leadership in Higher Education from Jones International University in Centennial, Colorado. In addition, she earned a TEFL certificate in English as a Foreign Language from the American University in France; a BA in Special Honors Curriculum/History from Hunter College of the City University of New York and a Certificate of Completion in Foreign Policy from Oxford University – Exeter College in Oxford, England.

Wilson tours new recycling facility

State Sen. David Wilson visited and took a tour of Alaska Metal Corp.'s recycling facility in Wasilla last month. Since opening its doors this spring, Alaska Metal Corp., located at Mile 13.7 of Knik-Goose Bay Road, has processed more than 2,000 tons of scrap metal, according to a press release.

In June 2017 the company became the official operator to remove and process all metal scrap from the Mat-Su Borough Landfill in Palmer, and for the Denali Borough as well. Alex Bagchi, the company’s president, brings 12-plus years of experience in running recycling businesses to the Valley.