Empowering a vast network of public, private, and technical organizations to form coalitions dedicated to advancing digital transportation and storage by employing the natural resources of the arctic.
Far North Digital, LLC
Far North Digital, LLC, is an Alaskan company focused on telecommunications and data storage solutions in Arctic and Subarctic regions. The resources and geography of high latitude lands and waters offer opportunities and resources to help meet the demand for highly secure and energy-efficient data centers and transmission facilities that are either not available or are at higher risk of disruption elsewhere.
The principals of Far North Digital LLC have over a century of collective experience in telecommunications, including the planning, financing, design and construction of subsea cable infrastructure and the management and operation of major telecom companies. Far North Digital has successfully navigated the complex technical and entitlement issues north of the 49th parallel to complete the development of multiple projects from inception and financing to construction, commissioning and operation.
Let’s
discuss how unlocking the new Arctic frontier will enhance your business.
Upcoming Meetings:
Due to the continuing health crisis we will not be attending any of the industry meetings for the time being. We look forward to the day when we can meet in person, and discuss how Far North Digital’s projects can support your business. Until then, we would welcome an opportunity to meet with you online.
If that would be of interest, please contact Ik Icard at iicard@fn-digital.com or Guy Houser at ghouser@fn-digital.com to schedule a meeting to learn more about Far North Digital.
Meet the Team.
Walt Ebell
Mr. Ebell has over twenty years’ experience in the development and installation of telecommunications infrastructure in Arctic regions. As corporate CEO, he oversaw the planning, financing and installation of a submarine cable system from Anchorage to the Kenai Peninsula to Kodiak Island and the development of terrestrial fiber cable plant between Fairbanks and Prudhoe Bay. Previously, he practiced law with Jamin, Ebell, Bolger and Gentry where he emphasized admiralty, business, conservation and real property matters and related litigation. He was admitted to practice in the US Supreme Court, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals and the courts of Alaska, Oregon and Washington. Prior to attending law school Mr. Ebell served in the United States Marine Corps as a company commanding officer with 1st and 3rd Tank Battalions, Fleet Marine Force.
Howard Trott
Mr. Trott spent more than 30 years working with telecommunications pioneer Craig McCaw’s companies. He was one of the founding members with Berkowitz and Ebell of the company, which developed remote rural Alaskan Fiber Optic projects. In addition, he has completed a vast array of high-profile projects ranging from solar farms, to aviation and large conservation projects. He is deeply focused on advancing green energy technologies founded on principles of sustainability and conservation. Most recently he has worked on large scale energy storage projects in the Western United States.
Ik Icard
Mr. Icard has worked for more than 25 years in marine cable installation and construction consulting, including project development, regulatory compliance, procurement and contract administration. With the successful completion of numerous submarine cable projects, Mr. Icard’s experience ranges across east and west coasts of North America, into Alaska and internationally. He worked with Mr. Ebell and Houser on the Kodiak Kenai submarine fiber optic cable project and also worked with Berkowitz, Ebell, Houser and Trott on the terrestrial project from Fairbanks to Prudhoe Bay, Alaska. He holds a MBA from the University of Washington.
Ethan Berkowitz
Mr. Berkowitz has lived and worked in Alaska for over thirty years. Entrepreneur and business leader, he was a co-founder with Ebell and Trott of the company which developed the terrestrial cable system from Fairbanks to Prudhoe Bay, Alaska. He also worked with Mr. Trott on several renewable energy projects in rural Alaska. Additionally, Mr. Berkowitz served in the Alaska Legislature for a number of years and also served as the Mayor of Anchorage. He holds a J.D. from Hastings College of Law, an M.Phil. (Polar Studies) from Cambridge University, and an A.B. from Harvard College.
Guy Houser
Mr. Houser has 20 years’ experience in engineering and project management, specializing in product and system design, proprietary information protection, and project management from concept through production. Ten years’ experience as lead engineer and project manager for large scale multimillion-dollar system builds. Awarded, as inventor, seven US design patents and two European design patents. Three more US Patent applications and two European applications are pending. Mr. Houser holds a Master of Science Degree in Mechanical engineering and a Master of Business Administration.
Rick Hasselback
Mr. Hasselback has 30 years of experience has focused on project financing (having key responsibility in structuring and raising US$ 6 billion in project financing to date), risk mitigation, investment analysis and PPP structuring. In addition, he has extensive experience in valuation, business development and finance management. His career has included working with the World Bank and its private lending arm, the International Finance Corporation; Atlantic Richfield, Boeing Capital and Rothschild.
Mark Thomas
Mr. Thomas has a Master of Science in Professional Accounting, and his career has spanned public accounting and investments, including both equity placements and real estate. Mr. Thomas’ experience has also taken him internationally, working for multinational corporations throughout Europe from a base in Paris, France. Mr. Thomas has worked with both small and large businesses, and has been instrumental in raising capital for a wide variety of businesses.