Board of Directors
Aaron Smith, President
It is a privilege to be part of InfraGard Alaska, having first served as Vice President and now as President. This role allows me to collaborate with both public and private sectors to protect our nation’s critical infrastructure. I am deeply committed to fostering these partnerships and advancing initiatives that safeguard our communities, ensuring a more secure digital future.
I am proud to serve as Vice President of Information Technology for an Alaska Native corporation, where I oversee the organization’s technology needs and align IT initiatives with business strategies. With over 24 years of experience, my career has been dedicated to implementing robust cybersecurity frameworks, optimizing operations, and driving innovation to address complex challenges.
In addition to my civilian career, I have devoted 23 years to military service with the Air Force Reserves and the Alaska Air National Guard. My focus has been on supporting military communication systems and developing strategies that enhance operational readiness and resilience.
Peter House, Vice President
Nathaniel Ladd, Secretary
I have 12 years of experience in Information Technology and I’m currently working as an Information Security Manager. My role is challenging as there are new technologies to learn and threats to protect against. I grew up in Eagle River and now reside in Fairbanks with my wife and sons.
I joined InfraGard during the spring of 2019 while working as an Information Security Analyst. I believe that keeping Alaska’s InfraGard Chapter up and running is important as we’re facing ever increasing cyber threats. Building and maintaining a network of technology professionals is critical for keeping businesses and the economy running smoothly. I look forward to assisting the talented Board as we find ways to benefit our members and their organizations.
Danielle Martin, Treasure
Mark Merchant, Director
Mark Merchant was the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) for the Municipality of Anchorage for 9 years. He has worked for a variety of state and local government agencies directly involved in cyber security, information technology and disaster recovery for over 28 years in Alaska.
He has attended the prestigious FBI CISO Academy in Quantico, VA and holds multiple industry related certifications.
He currently sits on the board of directors for Infragard Alaska and Cybersecure Alaska and actively participates in many community organizations that specialize in cyber security and critical infrastructure protection.
He was born in Anchorage, is a veteran and non-commissioned officer of the U.S. Army and served in the first Gulf War with the 1st Infantry Division. Some of his hobbies include public speaking on a variety of risk management topics and assists Alaskan businesses, Law firms and State agencies with digital forensics investigations.