Our Staff
Our staff is small, but accomplishes much.
Although each position is structured to provide a specialized function, the staff interacts closely on projects, combining their expertise to see a project to fruition. Listed below is a brief description of each person’s background and the major focus of his or her position.
Jon Bittner
President & CEO
Jon Bittner is a fifth generation Alaskan with over a decade of experience in the business and economic development sector in Alaska. Over the course of his career he has served as the Vice president of the Anchorage Economic Development Corporation, the Deputy Commissioner of the Dept of Commerce, Community and Economic Development and the State Director of the Alaska Small Business Development Center. Through those roles he was able to drive new programs, new funding and new innovation in industries across the state.
He has been recognized for his efforts by the Alaska Journal of Commerce, the Alaska Society of Leadership and Success, Development Counselors International and the International Economic Development Council. He currently serves as the President and CEO of the Anchorage Economic Development Corporation where he focuses on bring in innovation and new growth opportunities to Alaska’s largest city.
Jennifer Adams
Business Retention & Expansion Director
Jennifer Adams oversees economic development for AEDC, focusing on growing and supporting the business community in Alaska. Her expertise lies in business retention and expansion (BRE), economic research and reporting, strategic project development, and fostering collaborative initiatives that drive sustainable economic growth.
Jennifer holds a Bachelor of Science in Business and Sport Management from Aquinas College (2016). She initially worked in the professional sports industry before transitioning into corporate finance, multifamily asset management, and vendor relations with Monarch Investment and Management Group.
Her passion for the outdoors led her to pursue a Master of Science in Outdoor Recreation Economy from the University of Colorado Boulder, which she is set to complete in 2025. Specializing in sustainable business practices and public land and natural resource policy, Jennifer also contributed to research for the US Forest Service on “urban proximate” and studied international recreation, tourism, and public land policies.
Outside of work, Jennifer embraces all the outdoor adventures Alaska offers, from backpacking and skiing to playing ice hockey. She has hiked the Wonderland Trail around Mt. Rainier and pack rafted across Admiralty Island.
Juan Benitez
Development Director
Juan Benitez serves as a Development Manager at AEDC, where his work spans both the administrative backbone of the organization and its broader economic development mission. He oversees day-to-day office operations, drives projects forward, and troubleshoots challenges as they arise, all while playing a central role in managing AEDC’s investor relationships and membership base. Juan works to cultivate and maintain strong connections with the corporation’s investors and partners, helping to sustain the funding and collaborative networks that keep AEDC’s mission moving. As part of a small but high-impact team, he ensures the organization runs efficiently and that its members and investors feel supported and engaged.
Juan is originally from New Jersey and made Anchorage home in 2014. Outside the office, he’s an avid golfer, fisherman, and hiker. When baseball season rolls around, you’ll find him on the diamond as a Varsity Baseball Coach at West Anchorage High School.
Kenneth Gabel
Economic Development Director
Kenneth Gabel serves as the Economic Development Director at AEDC, working for and with the community to create opportunities that grow and diversify the local Anchorage economy. He oversees community and economic development projects working with organizational leadership around the city. Kenneth’s largest focus area is the development and management of Anchorage’s Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS), the 5-year plan that guides the city’s progress toward its community-directed goals. Kenneth works with AEDC members and community stakeholders to accomplish tangible projects that instill community pride and hope for a better future, aligning his work with community priorities and open opportunities.
Alicia Busick
Communications and Marketing Manager
Alicia Busick joins the team as our Marketing & Communications Manager. As a born-and-raised Alaskan and business owner, she looks forward to promoting Anchorage’s endless opportunities through creativity and story telling. Alicia’s experience includes Alaskan focused business, nonprofit, and grassroots marketing and strategic planning for the past twenty plus years. Alicia truly believes Anchorage is the best place to Live. Work. Play. and feels blessed to live here with her family.
Alicia is married to Jesse Busick, her life and business partner for the past twenty three years and they have 6 amazing children together. She loves to hike, fish, and eat as much local salmon as legally possible with her wild Alaskan family. She is also a volunteer with the U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps, a former U.S. Merchant Mariner, fishing guide, and sportfishing guide in Seward, Alaska for over 10 years.