About Lee Ellis
I was introduced to Alaska at a young age, as my father made a point of taking each of his sons on a special Alaskan fishing trip when we turned 13 years old. So, for myself, the words of John Muir rang very true: "You should never go to Alaska as a young man because you'll never be satisfied with any other place as long as you live." Yet, it took some time until I was finally able to settle in the Last Frontier. After graduating from high school in Redmond, Washington, I enlisted in the United States Marine Corps, serving as a mortarman in the 3rd Marine Division. When my time in the Corps ended, I resumed life in my hometown of Redmond and took a job at a local brewery. An innocuous choice that eventually led to a prosperous 22-year long career.
I was finally able to make my way to Alaska in 2007, when I arrived in Anchorage with the Jesuit Volunteer Corps. For my year of service, I volunteered at Bean's Cafe where I worked extensively within the homeless population of Anchorage, visiting camps, advocating for families, providing basic services and helping folks find their way into long-term housing. It was a very real introduction to some of the challenges of living in Alaska.
I returned to the brewing industry in 2009, landing a position at my favorite brewery, Midnight Sun Brewing Co. I started on the packaging line and worked my up through the company to eventually become President in January 2020. I was also elected as Board President of the Brewer's Guild of Alaska in 2019. While brewery operations and engineering were my passions, I became interested in governmental policy regarding alcohol manufacturers and small businesses. I took on the job of leading the brewing industry in our effort to pass the Title IV rewrite, a complete rewrite of all alcohol laws that had been stalled for over six years. This bill was meant to update Alaska's archaic alcohol statutes and regulations, which would help to bolster a thriving industry of small manufacturers. This effort was made additionally challenging by intense controversy and stakeholder conflict among breweries, bars, restaurants, and public health organizations. My colleague Sarah Oates, from the bar and restaurant association (CHARR), and I set out to accomplish what those before us could not: finding compromise among diverse interest groups and moving comprehensive Title reform forward. In 2022, our efforts finally achieved success with the passing of Senate Bill 9.
Becoming the President of a small business at the onset of covid was no small challenge. Throughout the pandemic, I advocated for small businesses at the local, state, and federal level, traveling across the state and country. This process only deepened my passion for the importance of small businesses and the people they employ. I strive to create an environment at Midnight Sun Brewing Co. where people have a rewarding, reliable career that allows them to buy a home and set roots in our amazing state.
Over the years, I have received a number of awards, including the Alaska Journal's Top 40 under 40 award (class of 2020), Rookie Ski Patroller of the year for the Alaska Division of the National Ski Patrol, and Volunteer Ski Patroller of the Year for the Alyeska Ski Patrol.
Lee's Family Life
I met my wife Leah (yes, Lee and Leah) in 2012, at a beer festival in Haines, Alaska. She was headed north to Fairbanks to start her career in fisheries research on the NPR-A and needed a lift. I offered to take her as far as Anchorage and by the end of our 13-hour car ride, it was clear to both of us that we had found our "one". We were married in 2016; it would have been sooner, but we were dedicated to mining the gold for our rings. Two summers of digging and dredging yielded the precious metal we needed to tie the knot.
Leah is currently a biologist for the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, where she works to protect fish habitat and serves as the statewide hydropower coordinator. Additionally, she is a certified Remington armorer and firearms instructor for ADF&G. She also volunteers as an instructor for the Becoming an Outdoors Woman program, teaching other Alaskan women foraging, wild foods, and archery skills. She is way out my league, and I am incredibly lucky to share my life with her!
We have lived in Girdwood since 2012 where I also worked as a volunteer ski patroller for 11 years, taking on roles as instructor of several disciplines, including patient transport, CPR, and incident command. Leah and I frequently volunteer for fundraisers and other community events. When not working, we spend most of our time outdoors with our dogs, Sven and Ole. Leah and I are passionate about hunting, fishing, rafting, skiing, foraging, hiking, recreational mining, and being the wild Auntie and Uncle. Alaska is truly the only place for us, and we feel so fortunate to have made it our home.
Leah is currently a biologist for the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, where she works to protect fish habitat and serves as the statewide hydropower coordinator. Additionally, she is a certified Remington armorer and firearms instructor for ADF&G. She also volunteers as an instructor for the Becoming an Outdoors Woman program, teaching other Alaskan women foraging, wild foods, and archery skills. She is way out my league, and I am incredibly lucky to share my life with her!
We have lived in Girdwood since 2012 where I also worked as a volunteer ski patroller for 11 years, taking on roles as instructor of several disciplines, including patient transport, CPR, and incident command. Leah and I frequently volunteer for fundraisers and other community events. When not working, we spend most of our time outdoors with our dogs, Sven and Ole. Leah and I are passionate about hunting, fishing, rafting, skiing, foraging, hiking, recreational mining, and being the wild Auntie and Uncle. Alaska is truly the only place for us, and we feel so fortunate to have made it our home.
The Ellis Family - my wife, Leah, and our two dogs, Sven and Ole.