The Alaska Oil and Gas Association (AOGA) is a professional trade association whose mission is to foster the long-term viability of the oil and gas industry for the benefit of all Alaskans. We represent the majority of companies that are exploring, developing, producing, transporting, refining, or marketing oil and gas on the North Slope, in the Cook Inlet, and in the offshore areas of Alaska.
Founded in 1966, the Alaska Oil and Gas Association (AOGA) is proud to have played a role in the rich history of our state’s oil and gas industry. Since the historic day when oil was discovered at the Swanson River field, professionals in the industry have worked tirelessly to bring Alaska’s oil to market safely and reliably. 18 billion barrels later, we’re still going strong.
Prior to official incorporation, AOGA started out as the “Alaska Committee” of the Western Oil and Gas Association (WOGA, now WSPA), the oldest petroleum trade association in the nation. The discovery of oil and gas on the Kenai Peninsula and in Cook Inlet in the late 1950s/early 1960s lead to the incorporation of AOGA in the State of Alaska in 1966. For the next 20+ years, AOGA operated under the auspices of WOGA, officially separating to become its own stand-alone trade association in January 1989.
For over 50 years, it has been AOGA’s privilege to represent our diverse membership, acting as the “voice of industry in Alaska,” and constantly advocating on issues that impact current and future development in the state. Given the importance of a healthy and viable oil and gas industry to our state’s economy, it is our hope that the best years of the industry are yet to come.
President/CEO
Kara came to Alaska from her home state of South Dakota to teach elementary school in Atqasuk, an Inupiaq village in the North Slope Borough. After working in Washington, DC, she moved back to Alaska and lived in Fairbanks for seven years. She has served as legislative staff in Juneau and was the President/CEO of the Fairbanks Chamber for four years. She joined the AOGA staff in April 2005 and has been the head of the association since 2012. She is a member of the Athena Society, a recipient of Alaska’s Top 40 Under 40 Award, Honorary Iceman at Eielson Air Force Base, and was the 2022 Alaska Legion Baseball Volunteer of the Year. She is a member of the Downtown Rotary Club of Anchorage, serves on the Executive Committee of the Resource Development Council, and is a founding Board member of the Alaska Oil & Gas Historical Society. In her spare time, she can be found spending time with her family, usually behind the camera lens documenting their many Alaskan adventures and activities.
External Affairs Manager
Sierra was born and raised in Fairbanks, Alaska and returned to join AOGA’s team after having spent the last 10 years in the lower 48. She returned to Alaska this August after spending the last several years practicing law in Arizona. Sierra received both her undergraduate and law degrees from Gonzaga University, where she graduated magna cum laude. Sierra was recently named “One to Watch” by Best Lawyers in America. Prior to her legal career Sierra worked for Governor Parnell and on the North Slope before joining U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan’s D.C. staff. Sierra is thrilled to be back in Alaska working for AOGA. In her spare time, Sierra enjoys cooking, hanging out with her dog Willow, skiing at Alyeska, and fishing the Kenai. A fun fact about Sierra- she is an identical twin!
Regulatory and Legal Affairs Manager
Robert is a lifelong Alaskan, born in Southeast and raised in Anchorage. Early in his career, Robert worked as a high adventure guide, leading the teenagers of military personnel on rock climbing, kayaking, whitewater rafting, and backpacking adventures in the Alaskan wilderness. After graduating from college, he spent the next 13 years working for the State of Alaska, spending a decade in the Alaska Legislature in various leadership roles and three years with the State’s Division of Finance. Robert and his wife, Grace, recently welcomed their first child, a boy named Birk, who is a contender for the title of world’s cutest baby. When he’s not working, Robert loves spending time with his family, traveling to interesting places to hike, and doing just about anything outside.
Office and Project Manager