Why We Exist
Alaska’s manufacturing economy is as vast and diverse as the state itself — from small-batch food producers and artisan makers to industrial fabrication shops and large-scale material manufacturers. Yet for too long, these sectors have operated in silos.
The Alaska Manufacturing Association (AKMA) was created to change that.
We connect every link in Alaska’s supply chain — makers, manufacturers, suppliers, and partners — to strengthen our local economy and keep production, jobs, and innovation rooted here at home.
Our
Origin
AKMA grew out of a shared frustration: Alaska’s manufacturing ecosystem is fragmented — small-batch makers get help, large-volume producers struggle under unique logistics, infrastructure and workforce conditions, and the voices aren't connected
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Our founders saw that when small and large manufacturers work in parallel, leverage shared resources, and speak with one voice, the entire state wins. So in 2025, AKMA was born: a statewide hub for makers, mid-scale manufacturers and industrial producers alike.
Meet The Founders
Megan Militello
Executive Director
Megan Militello is a maker, entrepreneur, and connector at heart. After running her own food manufacturing company in Alaska, she experienced firsthand how challenging it can be to grow a business in this state—navigating supply chains, regulations, and limited resources.
Those challenges inspired her to help create the Alaska Manufacturing Association, where she now serves as Executive Director.
Megan’s passion lies in bringing people together. Whether it’s hosting mixers, leading roundtables, or simply connecting two business owners who need each other, she believes collaboration is the key to building a stronger manufacturing community.
Her vision for AKMA is rooted in the idea that no maker should have to go it alone.
When she’s not working with manufacturers, you’ll find Megan out on the trails, gardening with her family, or dreaming up new ways to strengthen the “Manufactured in Alaska” movement.
Lacey Ernandes
Chief Strategy Officer
Lacey Ernandes is a builder at heart—of brands, of communities, and of big ideas. After co-founding Elevated Oats, she learned firsthand how isolating and complicated it can be to manufacture in Alaska: shipping delays that upend production schedules, packaging requirements that stall launches, and endless hours spent trying to solve problems alone. Those lessons became fuel for her next chapter—helping other makers avoid the same hurdles.
As Chief Strategy Officer of AKMA, Lacey is the voice behind the vision. She thrives on seeing the bigger picture and turning scattered challenges into clear, actionable paths forward. Whether it’s helping a new food entrepreneur get their packaging retail-ready or shaping the association’s long-term strategy, her focus is always on making the road smoother for Alaska’s manufacturers.
Outside of AKMA, Lacey wears many hats—writer, artist, gardener, and mom. She believes creativity and resilience go hand in hand, and she brings that perspective into everything she does. You might find her kayaking with her husband, chasing wildflowers with her son, or sketching out her next idea at the kitchen table.
At the core, Lacey’s passion is simple: helping people see what’s possible, then building the systems and support that make it real.
CLIENTS
Working With the Best
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