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Kelly Burden

Interview with Mentor Aaron Butterer, Land Services Specialist, Alaska Railroad

by Leadership Fellows Protégé Kelly Burden

The College of Business and Public Policy's Tom Case Leadership Fellows Program pairs high-performing CBPP students with a mentor in the Anchorage business community, giving students the opportunity to learn about real-world leadership from local business leaders. To begin the program, each student protégé interviewed their new mentor.

Today’s featured protégé/mentor interview is Kelly Burden, and his mentor Aaron Butterer, Land Services Specialist, Alaska Railroad.

1 Where is your mentor from and what made them choose to work in Alaska?
“Aaron is originally from New Jersey. His transition to Alaska is quite the story. While in New Jersey, Aaron worked with computers and planned on joining the Navy to further his knowledge in that field. He scored very high on his entry aptitude tests and was going to pursue a position as a nuclear electronics technician. Unfortunately, a ski accident in 2001 left him unable to follow this course. Shortly after that, the family of one of his friends was moving from New Jersey to Wyoming. His friend’s father commented, “You should just come with us”. And after finishing out the New Jersey summer with his friend, Aaron did just that. They took what could be described as a barely road worthy vehicle and drove it across the country to Aarons new home. Upon his arrival in Wyoming, Aaron set out to find a job in his previous field. Wyoming not exactly being a sprawling metropolis, it turned out that the one computer repair shop in town did not need an extra employee. It was not a complete loss though, as Aaron was directed next door to the land surveying office where he was told they were hiring. This would be the beginning of the career that Aaron finds himself in today. A ski accident, a long road trip, and the proximity of two buildings with different career paths sent Aaron on his way.”

2 Where did your mentor go to college and what did they study?
“Aaron decided on college in Alaska, at the University of Alaska Anchorage, where he would pursue a bachelor’s degree in Geomatics. Upon completion of the degree Aaron had planned to return to the lower 48, but he was in the right place at the right time again and met the woman that would become his wife. Though the location makes it difficult for him to pursue his favorite hobby, collecting rare automobiles, they have made a life here and Aaron has returned to UAA to pursue his master’s degree. He currently works at the Alaska Railroad in the land services department.”

3 Did your mentor have a mentor they relied on for mentorship/career advice? If yes, what was the most important leadership advice they shared with you?
“Aaron credits his wife with being the biggest motivational force in his life. She comes from a very driven family and was one of the biggest advocates of him getting his graduate degree. At the Alaska Railroad, Aaron recounted the time that Wendy Lindskoog, Alaska Railroad Vice President of Business Management and Corporate Affairs, and Progressive railroading magazine’s 2014 woman of the year gave him some advice about leadership, “If you’re coasting, you’re going downhill”. It’s a good reminder that anything you care about doing requires constant work and attention.”

4 What does your mentor think should be conveyed to our next generation of leaders?
“Show up and work hard. Do not expect everything to happen overnight, and strive to be an ethical leader in your work and your life.”

Aaron Butterer
Leadership Fellows mentor Aaron Butterer.