Best Magazine - OCTOBER 2020

TOP 49 AL ASK AN-OWNED COMPANIES RANKED BY GROSS REVENUE
OCTOBER 2020
2020
TOP
49ERS
SEASONS MAY CHANGE...
THE MILES ARE MANY...
BUT THESE BUSINESSES FORGE AHEAD
Higher standards
Construction Machinery Industrial and
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CONTENTS
OCTOBER 2020 | VOLUME 37 | NUMBER 10 | AKBIZMAG.COM
FE AT UR E S
10 PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
Taking a Stand 18 OIL & GAS
Supporting social justice is good for communities and Happy Campers
good for business Modern amenities and perks keep remote
By Vanessa Orr camp workers coming back for more
By Isaac Stone Simonelli
28 TOURISM
Unconventional Conventions
Creativity is crucial for business meetings during COVID-19
By Tracy Barbour
38 ALASKA NATIVE
Giant Clients
ANCs diversify with government contracts
106 TRANSPORTATION
Heavy Haul Logistics
Getting big machines to remote locations requires
collaboration, coordination
By Vanessa Orr
116 TRANSPORTATION
Above and Beyond
The ins-and-outs of multimodal and the transportation
industry’s dedication to the customer
By Danny Kreilkamp
130 ENVIRONMENTAL
Combatting Contamination
Engineering a pristine environment one
contaminant at a time
Lucas Payne | Alaska Stock
122 CONSTRUCTION
‘It Just Has to Get Done’
How Alaska’s construction crews
expedite critical projects
Ahtna
By Amy Newman
Alaska Business (ISSN 8756-4092) is published monthly by Alaska Business Publishing Co., Inc. 501 W. Northern Lights Boulevard, Suite 100, Anchorage, Alaska 99503-2577; Telephone: (907) 276-4373.
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4 | October 2020 Alaska Businesswww.akbizmag.com

CONTENTS
OCTOBER 2020 | VOLUME 37 | NUMBER 10 | AKBIZMAG.COM
TO P 49 E R S S P E C I A L S E C T I O N
46 TRIUMPHANT JOURNEYS:
The top forty-nine Alaska-owned companies ranked by 94 IN CONTROL
gross revenue Delta Constructors balances
By Kathryn Mackenzie safety, productivity to punch
above its weight
By Danny Kreilkamp
52 THE 2020 ALASKA BUSINESS
TOP 49ERS
100 NOME SWEET NOME

Sitnasuak and its new CEO see steady growth and stability
amid a pandemic
By Arie Henry
88 MISSION,
Delta Constructors
VISION, VALUES
Gana-A’Yoo
How Gana-A’Yoo is creating

jobs and expanding services
By Tasha Anderson
ABOUT THE COVER

Several months ago when we first chose our 2020 Top 49ers theme of “migration,” we had no idea how relevant it would be
to the current state of the world. Originally we were intrigued by the idea of migration from purely a business standpoint. We
wondered how a company that has been in business for decades makes the journey from humble beginnings to one of the
highest earning organizations in Alaska? And we thought what better companies to answer that question than the forty-nine
featured here?
But as 2020 progressed and the hits just kept coming, the concept of migration took on deeper meaning as a “number or
body of persons or animals” experiencing “a shift, as from one system, mode of operation, or enterprise to another”. As it turns
out, right now we are in the midst of a great migration, a long journey home that we wholeheartedly believe will end in triumph.
Cover by Monica Sterchi-Lowman
QUICK READS
8 FROM THE EDITOR 138 INSIDE ALASKA BUSINESS 142 ALASKA TRENDS
138 ECONOMIC INDICATORS 140 R
IGHT MOVES 144 OFF THE CUFF
FROM THE EDITOR VOLUME 37, #10
EDITORIAL STAFF
Managing Editor
Finding Normalcy
Kathryn Mackenzie
257-2907 editor@akbizmag.com
Associate/Web Editor
Tasha Anderson
257-2902 tanderson@akbizmag.com
Digital and Social Media

Specialist
Arie Henry
257-2910 ahenry@akbizmag.com
Staff Writer
I
Danny Kreilkamp
f there is one thing that has been reinforced to me over and over this year, it’s that danny@akbizmag.com
human beings are creatures of habit. For the most part we crave a sense of “normalcy” Art Director
Monica Sterchi-Lowman
in our daily lives. When our habits and established patterns are disrupted—well, we’ve all 257-2916 design@akbizmag.com
seen what’s happened over these past seven or so months—chaos, anxiety, and fear have
Art Production
prevailed as each of us tries to just live our “normal” again. And even though my sense of Linda Shogren
normalcy and yours may be diametrically opposed, we still have one thing in common: the 257-2912 production@akbizmag.com
need for consistency. Photo Contributor

Sometimes looking to the past can be a source of comfort. Knowing that we’ve made Kerry Tasker
it through more than one pandemic with far fewer resources and limited technology is
reassuring in an odd way. My thought process is: If we did it then we can certainly do it BUSINESS STAFF
President
again. Billie Martin
Economically the picture is muddled at best, especially for those operating in industries
VP & General Manager
that require travel, face-to-face interactions, or being in close quarters. But again, we Jason Martin
can look to the past for guidance and encouragement—many of the companies we’re 257-2905 jason@akbizmag.com
celebrating in this very issue have endured some of Alaska's worst economic moments. VP Sales & Marketing
It’s these companies that prompted our predecessors at Alaska Business to dedicate the Charles Bell
257-2909 cbell@akbizmag.com
October issue to celebrating Alaska-owned companies that consistently employ Alaskans
Senior Account Manager
and keep the economy chugging along, in good times and bad. Janis J. Plume
Right now a lot of us are far (in some cases, ahem, very far) outside of our comfort 257-2917 janis@akbizmag.com
zone. We haven’t yet nailed down new habits and patterns, we are still migrating from one Advertising Account
“normal” to another. And the trip is not an easy one. But, as corny as it sounds, if we look Manager
Christine Merki
out for each other as we feel out our future, we have a far better chance of finding success 257-2911 cmerki@akbizmag.com
than trying to go it alone. Accounting Manager
Like normalcy, success is subjective, but it’s a pretty universal truth that in the world Ana Lavagnino
257-2901 accounts@akbizmag.com
of commerce, a business is judged on longevity, growth, and income. The 2020 Alaska
Business Top 49ers are textbook success stories—most have been employing Alaskans for Customer Service
Representative
decades, they seek out growth opportunities, and last year was one of giant revenue jumps Emily Olsen
for many of our Top 49ers which reported 2019 combined revenue of more than $18 257-2914 emily@akbizmag.com
billion. That’s a 7 percent increase compared to 2018 and another record for the Top 49ers.
This year we dedicate the annual Alaska Business Top 49ers issue to all the companies CONTACT
Press releases:
and their more than 21,000 Alaska-based employees making the journey from fear and press@akbizmag.com
uncertainty back to success and stability. We’re right here with you. Postmaster:
Send address changes to
Alaska Business
Congratulations Top 49ers! 501 W. Northern Lights Blvd. #100
Anchorage, AK 99503
AKBusinessMonth
Kathryn Mackenzie
alaska-business-monthly
Managing Editor, Alaska Business
AKBusinessMonth
akbizmag

WHEN THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC
HIT LIKE A HAMMER,
ALASKA BUSINESSES
RESPONDED.
$537,714
helped 543 families keep a roof overhead,
put food on the table, keep the lights on,
and assist with child care.
$930,376
through 154 grants to organizations
across Alaska to sustain the support
they are providing to their communities.
ALASKA’S COVID-19 RESPONSE PARTNERSHIP
Thank you to ALL who stepped up to help including these Alaska businesses:
ConocoPhillips Alaska, Wells Fargo, ExxonMobil, Sealaska, Spawn Ideas, Premera Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alaska,
Alaska Airlines, Alaska National A CopperPoint Insurance Co., Anchorage Daily News, Saltchuk, GCI, KeyBank,
Doyon, Limited, 3M, Alaska USA Federal Credit Union, CVS Health, Northrim, Safeway, Afognak Native Corporation,
Law Office of Jacob Sonneborn, Queryon, Perkins Coie, SLR, Veterans United Fund, Arm Creative, Chugach Corporation,
KPMG, BDS Architects, fuse & traverse, Vision Therapy Center.
As of 8/21/2020
United Way of Anchorage
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
Taking a
STAND
Supporting social justice is good for
communities and good for business
By Vanessa Orr
Pamelas Photopoetry | Twenty20

I
t’s generally been the norm for
businesses to avoid taking a stance
on social issues, keeping personal
or corporate opinions separate from
the products and services they offer.
Fiercely
Today, however, it’s almost impossible Independent
for a company to ignore the social
issues making headlines, whether
that’s police brutality, gun violence,
Like You.
the #MeToo movement, or Black Lives
Matter (BLM) protests.
While previously it may have been
considered smart to avoid taking sides Let Altman Rogers help grow your business
on such issues, consumers today are
more likely to reward companies that
with big firm resources and the personal attention
speak up with repeat business.
According to The Business
only a locally owned firm can provide.
Imperative for Social Justice Today,
a survey by global communications
consultancy Porter Novelli, 71 Auditing, Review, Compilation Management Consulting
percent of US consumers believe Tax Consulting & Preparation Election & Tabulation Services
companies have more responsibility
than ever before to address social Accounting & Payroll Personal Attention
justice issues, and 56 percent say
companies that do not talk about
social justice issues in their marketing Anchorage | Juneau | Soldotna
or communications are out of touch. altrogco.com | 907
907-274-2992
274 2992
Approximately 83 percent believe
that a company doesn’t have to be
perfect when talking about social
justice issues but should be open
and honest.
Not only must companies take a
stand, but they are also expected to
take measurable actions to address
these issues. While some companies
are wading right in, others are looking
for professional help to make sure that
they share the right message to avoid
making costly mistakes.
“While some major corporations
may be able to do this themselves,
other companies usually rely on an
outside level of expertise,” says Debbie
Reinwand, president and CEO of
Brilliant Media Strategies. “A company
can make a misstep very readily,
which is where strategic counsel from
advertising and public relations firms
comes into the equation.”
Why Now?
The number of companies that have
decided to take a stand on social issues
has increased over the last decade and
the issues that have been placed in
the spotlight have turned into rapidly
growing movements that span all
sectors of society.
www.akbizmag.com Alaska Business October 2020 | 11
“The #MeToo movement was
“People may choose one company over huge and spread into all areas of the
workplace, which is similar to what
we’re seeing now with the Black Lives
another because of its stance on issues. But Matter movement,” says Reinwand.
“Following the killings of George Floyd
the moral of the story is that companies and Breonna Taylor, the conversation
became more about corporate social
should still be doing it because it’s the right justice not just because the public was
demanding it but because employees
were as well.”
thing to do.” Even though many companies already
promote social responsibility—such as
Debbie Reinwand, President/CEO, Brilliant Media Strategies making philanthropic donations and
encouraging employees to volunteer—
social justice touches the broader
community, and efforts to address
social justice must be well thought
out and carefully integrated into how
a brand manages itself and purports its
mission to the public.
“What society is going through now
cannot just be covered by putting
a ‘black’ post on Instagram,” says
Reinwand. “It starts with defining goals
and objectives so that a company
knows what they’re doing, why
they’re doing it, what they hope to
accomplish, and how their response
is working.
“Companies need to revisit what
their brand focus is and take a look at
their mission statement,” she adds. “If
necessary, they need to redefine that
statement so that it is crystal clear to
the public, aka the consumer who
they are trying to influence, what they
stand for.”
Look Within
Before creating public-facing
messages, businesses first need to make
changes within their own organizations.
“What companies need to realize
is that this is a process and treat it as
such; it’s not a one-off project,” says
Thomas McIntyre, senior culture and
content strategist for Thompson &
Co. Public Relations, which recently
established a new division to help
clients understand and effectively
respond to social justice issues. “It
starts from within and usually begins
with listening, looking in the mirror,
facing hard truths, and developing a
plan to change the truth within the
organization. It requires listening to the
people who have been marginalized.”
Companies should reach out to
employees and customers, as well
as the groups fighting for justice, to “We decided to gather input from “It’s so important to listen to other
understand not only the issues but subject matter experts on where voices and to continue to learn from
the actions that can be taken for alcohol tax revenue should go and them,” she adds. “By asking what we are
improvement. One way to do this is reached out to a lot of different people missing, we can make sure we serve
by establishing advisory councils or in the field, hoping to address race- these communities in ways that they—
partnering with organizations that based disparities,” says Hall. “We cast instead of we—think are useful.”
support social equity. the net far and wide and it quickly
“Inviting these people into the grew to a list of over 200 individuals Positives and Negatives
room to have a voice and to share who have come to the table. We’re co- One of the reasons organizations
what their communities want to see leading this work with great partners, hesitate to address social issues publicly
promotes inclusivity from the start,” including the Alaska Black Caucus, is the fear of alienating consumers who
says McIntyre, adding that companies Alaska Children’s Trust, Homelessness disagree with their stance.
stagnate when they only listen to Leadership Council, and Agnew::Beck, “There’s always going to be the
voices from their own boardrooms. with the support of more than thirty other side of it; obviously, a lot
“It’s better to move smart than other organizations. of people have the outlook of ‘All
fast,” he adds of putting in the time it
takes to really hear different points of
For us, this

view. “A lot of stances are being taken
on systemic issues, but these issues
didn’t become that way overnight.
The ultimate goal is to make systemic really is a big
change happen, which is why taking
the long view is so important.” deal. How big?
Recover Alaska is one example of
an organization that has reached out
Alaska-sized.
to be inclusive of other voices. In the
past year, it has restructured its internal Schwabe is a law firm fiercely
operations to add diversity and created committed to our clients, this
guidelines for its grantmaking process region, and the industries we
to make it more inclusive. represent.
“We are getting better at being
mindful of whether the people involved To serve you even better than
in Recover Alaska look and sound before, we’ve grown our Alaska
and come from the people we serve,” office with a legal team of nine.
says Executive Director Tiffany Hall.
Learn more at: schwabe.com.
“Realizing that many grant programs
are inequitable in structure, we added
questions focusing on whether the
organizations applying have people
with ‘lived’ experience and/or BIPOC
[Black, Indigenous, People of Color] in
decision-making positions.
“If we really want to make an
impact on the issues we’re working
on, including substance use disorders
and all the ills associated with alcohol
misuse, we need to focus on the people
who are impacted the most,” she adds.
“That means addressing race-based
Healthcare
disparities, as Black people, POC, and
Manufacturing and Distribution
Indigenous people are overrepresented
Native American & Alaska Native Law
in every single health disparity.” Transportation, Ports and Maritime
Recover Alaska most recently reached Real Estate and Construction
out to equity proponents to determine Technology
where to direct revenue from a new
alcohol tax. In April, Anchorage voters
passed a 5 percent alcohol tax, which Schwabe, Williamson & Wyatt | 907-339-7125
will result in approximately $11 million 420 L Street | Suite 400 | Anchorage, AK 99501
to $14 million being distributed to schwabe.com
different groups.
Recover Alaska hosted Alcohol: Changing the Narrative
for partners statewide, highlighting the importance of social
norms in building strong solutions to this complex issue.
Matt Waliszek
“If we really want to make an impact on the issues we’re working on,
including substance use disorders and all the ills associated with alcohol
misuse, we need to focus on the people who are impacted the most. That
means addressing race-based disparities, as Black people, POC, and
Indigenous people are overrepresented in every single health disparity.”
Tiffany Hall, Executive Director, Recover Alaska
Lives Matter’ or they view the BLM Studies compiled over the last issues,” says Reinwand. “But the moral
movement as marginalizing white couple of years not only show that the of the story is that companies should
people. Some feel as though it’s public, shareholders, and consumers still be doing it because it’s the right
potentially reverse racism,” says expect this behavior from major thing to do.”
McIntyre. “That’s a fear for a number companies but that it does indeed Which is an important distinction
of businesses who maintain a certain help company profits. because if a company is only looking to
look, or branding, or who are mainly According to a 2017 Cone profit by tying itself to an issue, chances
targeting certain audiences. Communications study, 87 percent of are very good that the public will pick
“If their audience isn’t affected consumers said they would be willing up on that inauthenticity, producing a
by these social issues, they don’t to buy a product or service based on less than desired effect.
want them to feel neglected,” he a company's advocacy concerning a “If your reasoning is that you’ll support
continues. “There’s also a chance social matter, and 76 percent of those an issue because it could make you a 6
that a certain audience could turn surveyed said they would decline to do percent increase in sales, it’s probably
on you while you’re gaining part of business with a company if it held views not going to work out when all is said
a new audience and revenue might and supported issues that conflicted and done,” says McIntyre. “People need
go down from that. But ultimately, in with their beliefs. to trust your intentions.”
the long run, it’s the right play for the “People may choose one company When Hall sent out a newsletter
bottom line.” over another because of its stance on focused on specific social issues,
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“What companies
need to realize is
that this is a process
and treat it as such;
it’s not a one-off
project. It starts from
within and usually
begins with listening, To make sure Alaska’s storytellers are represented and brand messaging is inclusive to all Alaskans,
Thompson & Co. Public Relations has developed a new division and suite of services that will raise the
voices of Black, Indigenous, people of color as well as issues of inequality affecting marginalized groups.
looking in the mirror, Thompson & Co. Public Relations
facing hard truths, for the dominant culture. That means

that it’s not a safe space for everyone.
were doing,” she says. “They went
beyond just posting on Facebook or
and developing a “By not talking about issues of race,

people who are not white feel unheard,
on social media; they found a place in
the economic world where they could
unseen, and left out, which has been make a difference and could have an
plan to change the happening for a very long time,” she impact on systemic racism.”
continues. “That’s one of the reasons As for how to approach the subject,
truth within the that we’re not seeing big, positive

changes in certain areas.”
Reinwand says the message needs to
stay true to the brand and the cause.
“It needs to be just the right tone; you
organization. It The Next Step don’t want to try to be ‘too large and in
Once a business conducts an internal charge’ of the issue,” she says. “If you
requires listening to review—and has enlisted employees
and outside groups to provide input
go too far off-brand it will sound phony;
it needs to be genuine and show the
the people who have on talking about social justice issues—

it needs to determine how to best
backing of the brand behind it.”
Some companies are also trying to
move forward. In some cases, this be more inclusive in advertising and
been marginalized.” can be as simple as explicitly stating other media.
that a company is behind a cause; in “It’s slowly becoming more
Thomas McIntyre others, it means investing money in normalized to see people of color as
Senior Culture and Content Strategist
Thompson & Co. Public Relations the organizations or communities most well as people of different sexualities in
impacted by these issues. advertising, which is a good step toward
“An initial step in supporting Black providing fuller representation,” says
including the BLM movement, the Lives Matter, for example, can mean McIntyre. “Acknowledging black people
pandemic, and Pride month, she was putting a public statement on a and their culture, or indigenous people
surprised at its reception. company’s website and social media, and their culture—instead of erasing
“I got some very positive responses running an ad, and making donations them—is important. There’s a right way
that thanked me for not being silent,” to a cause that the business collectively to do things.”
she says. “I also got responses saying feels is important,” says Reinwand. “When everyone on Instagram was
that we should just focus on recovery Some companies go even further— using a black square to support Black
and if we got political, we would start Reinwand gives an example of a business Lives Matter, it wasn’t that creative—
losing people. in Chicago that set a goal of closing the anyone could do that,” adds Reinwand.
“But I think those requests were wealth gap between households of “But using your forum to turn the
missing the point,” she adds. “Our color and white households in the city. conversation over to those who are
services need to be available and open “They put together a strategic plan impacted by a movement is powerful.
to everyone, and by not addressing that involved employees, managers, It’s far more important to give them the
these issues, the organization is still built and owners and actualized what they space to share their message.”
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OIL & GAS
Happy Campers
Modern amenities and perks keep
remote camp workers coming back
for more
Lucas Payne | Alaska Stock

D
espite the North Slope’s blistering cold and 24-hour
nights during the winter, about 3,000 people work in
WHY CARRY ONE
what is arguably one of the most remote job sites in
North America, according to the Alaska Department of Labor MORE THING?
START YOUR
and Workforce Development research.
“Working on the Slope is a double-edged sword: I have to
CAR
leave home for extended periods of time and often miss out
on birthdays, holidays, and special events,” says Pat Ahern, a
drilling health, safety, and environment specialist with Beacon
Occupational Health and Safety Services who’s working in
the Beaufort Sea.
“But when I am home, I don’t have to worry about going to
my daily job and clocking in—I can enjoy two weeks off every
month and spend quality time with friends and family while
pursuing personal interests.”
Most of the employees working in Alaska’s remote oil and
gas sites, either as part of the resource extraction effort or on
OR FLEET
support teams, work rotationally—the permanent population
in Deadhorse is between twenty-five and fifty residents. The
cycle of these shifts varies depending on the type of work
people do, the company they’re working for, the season, and
other factors. However, two weeks of work and then two
weeks of rest and recovery is a standard.
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“The nice thing about rotational outside the facilities is brutal, the camps
work is that while you're up here, you themselves are relatively comfortable,
“Due to the nature of can focus on the work, minimizing says Ahern.
distractions that perhaps somebody The work camps, and even
remote camp life, there working from home or just the normal Deadhorse, are mostly made up of
9-to-5 job might ordinarily face. I think modular buildings that look like large
is typically someone that has benefits both in terms of the
quality and the safety of the work,”
boxes created from painted corrugated
steel: Lego block buildings with each
sleeping 24/7, so it’s says Steve Kolb, a construction safety

specialist with Beacon.
container serving a specific purpose.
Designed to allow airflow below
The standard workday is a 12-hour them—either through venting systems
important to conduct shift, leaving employees to their own or by being built on stilts—to prevent
means for the other 12 hours of the day. permafrost from melting and the
yourself appropriately: “For downtime, most people tend structure sinking, the buildings have an
to adopt a pretty consistent schedule. almost post-apocalyptic feel to them
no slamming doors, no You don’t see a lot of wasted time;
most folks will get some exercise in
from the outside. Yet inside they are
packed with amenities.
loud conversations in immediately before or after their shift—

be it weight rooms or cardio, whatever
“We have Wi-Fi, as phones are
a source of communication and
the case may be—and afterwards get a entertainment in this day and age. All
the hallways, no loud meal, shower, prepare their stuff for the the established camps also have gym
next day. Then most folks are ready for facilities, and most have an area with
music in your rooms– bed—they might get a phone call into recliners and some books available—a
the family, a little bit of reading. And library of sorts. We also have a theater
courtesy is key.” that’s it: get up the next day and do it
again,” Kolb says.
room,” Ahern says.
“Some seasonal activities
Pat Ahern include a scheduled fun run—an
Drilling Health Safety and Environment Specialist Comfort and Convenience opportunity to walk or run outdoors
Beacon OHSS
Though the Arctic environment on a predetermined course. There
RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL

FOR ALASKA, INC.
RDC is a statewide trade association comprised of individuals and companies from Alaska’s
fishing, forestry, mining, oil and gas, and tourism industries. RDC’s membership includes Alaska
Native corporations, local communities, organized labor, and industry support firms. RDC’s
purpose is to encourage a strong, diversified private sector in Alaska and expand the state’s
economic base through the responsible development of our natural resources.
JOIN TODAY | AKRDC.ORG

All North Slope housing facilities have some
sort of indoor recreational opportunities.
VforVictoria | Twenty20

“We just don't want people wandering
“They are building something that very tangibly around placing themselves or others in
potentially hazardous situations,” Kolb
contributes to the state or national economy or says. “So, as far as recreation goes, we
tend to have physical activity indoors—
the weight room, cardio rooms, mat
energy security, something that benefits a large rooms. Most places also provide other
recreational opportunities such as
number of people. The workers take a sense of game nights, movie or TV rooms, music
rooms—things of that nature. But you
definitely don’t want people wandering
pride in building relatively complex projects around outside.”
What individual working days look
and knowing that their effort is going to have a like depends entirely on the type of
work employees perform on the Slope.
As Ahern explains, “Mornings are
lasting and significant benefit.” busy for field execution and supporting
work crews in executing hazardous,
Steve Kolb, Construction Safety Specialist, Beacon OHSS
life-critical activities—I often juggle my
mornings between some mandatory
is also a summer polar bear plunge, wildlife and a need to minimize impact meetings and performing life-critical
where you can jump into the Arctic while working in the area necessitates permitting that includes all hot work
Ocean—again, this requires some that most employees keep their [open flames, welding, spark-producing
coordination,” Ahern says, noting that outdoor excursions to a minimum. The tools, or non-intrinsically safe tools
because of the presence of grizzly weather conditions and prevalence in a classified area that contains
bears and polar bears organized of potentially dangerous work activity hydrocarbons]; unguarded working
outdoor activities require a security compound the need for employees to at heights; confined space entries;
detail trained in bear hazing. remain inside, whether or not they’re multiple-source energy isolations; crane
The presence of bears and other working, Kolb says. lifts [lifting operations]; and opening
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Outdoor recreation on the North Slope
is generally limited to protect the safety of
employees, wildlife, and the environment.
Bsrieth | iStock
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A variety of animals inhabit the Arctic, and part of life
on the North Slope is adjusting to accommodations to
keep everything and everyone safe.
Schaef1 | iStock
and blinding operations. I ensure the one night worker sleeping during the for the season. In these situations, bed
jobs are compliant with local, federal, day. It’s designed to work this way, space is at a premium and workers will
and client policy and procedure and but it’s sometimes possible that you most likely have a long-term roommate,
review the risk assessments associated will share a room with someone if Ahern explains.
with those jobs. This is required prior to camp is crowded with day workers “Not ideal, but that is the price you
beginning work.” during construction activities or drilling pay for exploration and construction
But no matter one’s day-to-day work activities that require specialized teams phases of operations. In my current
routine, everyone needs to manage onsite to assist with projects. camp, I am a permanent resident—I
their life in what is essentially a densely “There are private bathrooms in the have a private bedroom with one bed
populated, confined area. hallway that you can go into and lock in it and shared Jack and Jill bathroom,”
“Due to the nature of remote camp behind you: they have a sink, toilet, and Ahern says.
life, there is typically someone sleeping shower and they are very clean and Though living quarters can be tight,
24/7, so it’s important to conduct practical. Some camps have shared a great amount of effort is put into
yourself appropriately: no slamming bathrooms between two occupants making certain teams are well fed. In
doors, no loud conversations in the [aka a Jack and Jill] and some older what otherwise would be food deserts,
hallways, no loud music in your rooms– camps have general use facilities down teams working on the North Slope
courtesy is key,” Ahern says. the hall shared by all, but those seem are accustomed to a variety of fresh
to be getting phased out as progress produce and regular hot meals.
Form Follows Function continues to accommodate the “It's generally good food; they buy
Not all camps are identical. However, resident remote worker. In a perfect high-quality food and have good cooks.
their modular nature lends itself to world, you would have a private room There’s a lot of variety: multiple entrees
similar designs and systems for living with a shared bathroom between two to choose from, fresh baked goods,
quarters. rooms. Progressive building of camps is fresh fruits and vegetables. And they do
“The vast majority of the sleeping leaning this way, but it depends on your a good job of making healthy choices
quarters in this camp have two beds situation.” available,” says Kolb.
and two bureaus in them for clothing Workers who are out “on the ice” in Camps serve three hot meals a day,
storage,” Ahern says. “The idea is that winter during an exploration phase will sometimes four when the workload
one person occupies the room at a stay in modular units hauled in and out is up and more people than usual are
time—one day worker sleeping at night, on trucks and assembled on ice pads working around the clock. Workers
also have access to the spike room,
which has food and beverages available Innovative, cost effective housing
with all the comforts of home
around the clock.
“It has always been mandatory
to utilize a hand sanitizer and wear
disposable gloves prior to going through
food line or getting coffee,” Ahern says, Air Systems
noting that infectious germs can spread
through a camp like wildfire, so the
Deliver Fresh
COVID-19 pandemic has changed little Air to Each
about dining in the camps.
Room!
Different Camps,
Similar Set-ups
Though not on the North Slope, Heidi
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Morris is the woman behind ensuring • Turn-key set up
that the employees working on Granite • Rapid mobilization
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birthday dinners and cakes when
the occasion strikes. “We laugh a lot,
looking after each other so we all make
“Let us build your next
it home safe to our families.”
modular facility”
Workers on the Slope keep in touch
with friends and family via phone calls
and video chat.
Darby | Twenty20
“We laugh a lot, looking after each other so we all make it home safe to
our families.”
Heidi Morris, Head Cook, Granite Point Platform
Morris started working on the At first, though, the significant time spend off-weeks hunting and fishing
platform in 2013 and held various away from her husband was tough. in the state’s vast wilderness attract
positions before becoming the head “You have to make it work. Or, if you many people to the rotational work
cook at the remote facility. The team don’t, I guess you get divorced,” Morris in remote Alaska. But that’s not the
on the platform is—in many ways—as says, noting that talking several times a only thing drawing employees to
isolated, or more, than those working day has helped. the Slope.
on the Slope. “We FaceTime, text, and talk, making “There are some really interesting
Employees come and go from plans for the two weeks off together. projects up here. Quite often you talk
their rotation work via helicopter, That’s when you make the best of life to the workers and, not only do they
Morris explains. count for being away from each other!” like the challenge of a good project and
“You have to be a certain kind of Morris says. working with good people, they have a
person to work out here,” she says. Kolb concurs that being away from sense of pride because in most cases
“When I came out here, the very family can be a stressor for those they are building something durable up
first time I stepped on a platform, I working in remote camps. here,” Kolb says.
was like, ‘What the heck am I getting “When you're rotating out here, “They are building something that
myself into?’” She arrived when drilling folks with families don't have the very tangibly contributes to the state or
was underway, so the platform was benefit of returning home in the national economy or energy security,
particularly busy with people living and evenings to be with their families. something that benefits a large
working there. That's one liability that attaches to number of people. The workers take
She adapted quickly, she says, and the work,” Kolb says. “You can make a sense of pride in building relatively
enjoys the working conditions and up for that then when you’re home complex projects and knowing that
the fortnightly helicopter ride to or because you’re there full time.” their effort is going to have a lasting
from work. High wages and the opportunity to and significant benefit.”
UA LOCAL 375
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH OUR SIGNATORY CONTRACTORS
WE HAVE BEEN BUILDING ALASKA SINCE 1946 AND
ALASKA’S ARCTIC PIPELINES FOR OVER 40 YEARS
WE ARE THE
PIPEFITTERS
& WELDERS
OF THE
UNITED
ASSOCIATION
Raise-up Crew
Raising up the pipeline onto
Vertical Support Members (VSMs)
VSM Setting Crew The Bead Shack Firing Line Shacks

Two Bead Hands “Welders” install the first two welding 5-Shacks with two firing line welders and
Setting a 32’ Deep VSM
passes, then a tractor moves the shack 80’ to the next helpers in each shack, the firing line welders
weld so pipefitters can fit the pipe up and then receive fill and cap the welds
the shack
Once the height When running 5- Firing Line Shacks the

and skew are set, rear shack will be carried by the tractor
the welder welds to the front and they will leap frog to the
supports to the end of the line, the line is then raised
ground and the up by the “Raise-up Crew”
VSM hole is
poured with slurry
The Bead Shack welds in the “Bead” the 1st weld

that joins the pipe, the 2nd weld is the “Hot Pass”
which will burn out any impurities
UA Local 375 Union Hall Joint Apprenticeship

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MECHANICAL WELDING PLUMBING PIPEFITTING FACILITY SERVICES OIL & GAS SERVICES COMMERCIAL INDUSTRIAL
TOURISM
Unconventional
Conventions
Creativity is crucial for business
meetings during COVID-19
By Tracy Barbour

A
s the coronavirus pandemic Indeed, Nokelby was “blown away”
persists, going virtual takes on a by the attendance numbers, with
deeper meaning for larger-scale more than 1,000 people tuning into
events where people have traditionally the luncheon. And the registrants
gathered in person for training, were able to submit questions during
education, and networking. Many the event, which can be difficult to
Alaska organizations are converting accomplish with a large in-person
their conventions, conferences, and meeting. The virtual Q&A afforded the
other meetings to online or hybrid audience an opportunity to engage
options that are safe for attendees. with the speakers and data comfortably
Take, for example, the Anchorage and with minimal moderation. “Just
Economic Development Corporation because an event is virtual doesn’t
(AEDC) 3-Year Outlook Virtual mean we can’t still give a great guest/
Luncheon, which took place in August. attendee experience,” she says.
AEDC’s decision to hold the event online When pivoting an event away from
was relatively easy to make, especially the original vision, it can be a little
given that the health and safety of its scary, Nokelby says. She explains: “I
team, vendors, sponsors, and audience was worried that no one would buy
was at stake. “We surveyed our sponsors tickets or that people would purchase
and members back in May to check in one ticket for multiple people, but we
with them and also analyze their level did not see that with our event. I think
of comfort with an in-person event,” a lot of it does have to do with the fact
Development Director Tara Nokelby that most people are still working from
says. “It was fairly clear at that time that home. But even those who did plan on
we would be pivoting to a virtual event showing up in a boardroom purchased
and, given the current climate, we’re company tickets [ten tickets], and that
extremely happy we made that call.” was really great to see the support we
Of course, turning an in-person are getting from our audience, both
event into a virtual meeting comes investors and non-investors.”
with significant challenges. AEDC
wanted to give its audience the same ACS Opts for On-Demand
level of production that it provides at Virtual Convention
in-person luncheons—just through The Alaska Chiropractic Society
their computer or TV screens. “What (ACS) also elected to go virtual for its
was important to me was that I state convention this year. So what
presented them something exciting made ACS choose to stage a virtual
rather than a run-of-the-mill webinar,” state convention instead of canceling it
Nokelby says. due to COVID-19? There were two key
Initial planning for the remote factors: uncertainty and necessity.
luncheon, Nokelby says, involved In “normal” times, ACS hosts a
formulating an audience experience and biennial convention in October for
deciding what that experience would licensed chiropractors and their staff
look like. Once to provide the continuing education
the vision was (CE) and training they need to meet
locked in, AEDC state licensing and certification
began seeking requirements. The uncertainty of
out vendors and the COVID-19 mandates/restrictions
working out the surrounding event gatherings in the
logistics. “A great fall kept ACS from moving forward
platform with with planning an in-person event,
both host and Tara Nokelby according to Chief Operating Officer
user accessibility Sheri Ryan. However, the organization
is crucial, so audio and visual always still had an obligation to meet the
needs to be on-point whether it is in- required CE needs of the chiropractic
person or virtual,” she says. “We were physicians in Alaska.
lucky to team up with Alaska Public In addition, Ryan says, many ACS
Media and GCI as our technology members expressed a number of
sponsor for the 3-Year Outlook Virtual concerns. They were worried about
Luncheon, so we knew we were in their ability to attend the fall event due
good hands.” to local travel quarantine restrictions
While online conferences require many compromises, they can
also offer perks, like allowing attendees to listen and learn at any
location they choose.
Gilles Paire | iStock
upon their return, the financial convention, I decided on a company an attempt to tailor the experience to
considerations incurred due to called SIDECAR, a chiropractic business the many different learning styles. “We
reduction in hours or closures they development and training firm that provided informational training videos
had experienced, and the slowdown provided me with the best of both in the training center demonstrating
in the economy in their area even worlds: the tech side platform and the how to use the module system, how
after their businesses had fully content speakers.” to read the dashboard, print out
reopened. So ACS opted to launch Ryan needed a company with a library completion certificates, et cetera,
its convention as an on-demand, of high-quality, chiropractic-specific and organized the content so that
virtual option in mid-June. “The use content that she could use as the attendees had a clear sense of how
of virtual events allowed us to provide foundation of her educational platform. and what to do within the platform,”
the continuing education and training She also needed the ability to add pieces she says.
needed without travel or quarantine required to meet specific CE approval While the CE component of ACS’
considerations for our attendees or requirements set by the Alaska Board virtual state convention is available
speakers at a price point that was of Chiropractic Examiners. “From the entirely on-demand, there is also
affordable for all,” Ryan says. tech side, I wanted a platform that was a “live” component in October.
Logistically, a number of steps intuitive to use, available across multiple Registration has been slow since the
had to take place to make the virtual devices by the user, and included time- event launched in mid-June, but that’s
convention feasible for ACS members. based and attentiveness tracking,” she not surprising; it’s summer in Alaska.
For instance, the Board of Chiropractic says. “The SIDECAR training platform “We anticipate registration will pick
Examiners voted in mid-May to modify is built on the LightSpeed VT system, up greatly as our regularly scheduled
CE requirements for the current license which met all my needs.” October convention time nears and
renewal period, allowing all credits to Ultimately, Ryan chose to offer a chiropractors gear up to complete the
be earned online. Then it was a matter fully on-demand option as opposed requirements for their license renewal,”
of finding the appropriate technology to a live event. This lets the primary Ryan says.
to facilitate the convention. Ryan attendees—chiropractic physicians The virtual state convention has so
explains: “I investigated several virtual across the state—participate at their far been well-received. The doctors
event platforms where we could own pace, on their own schedule. Ryan who have started their training report
host our event live, on-demand, or a presented the content in a variety of a great appreciation for the ability to
hybrid version. Because we needed formats, including presentation slides, complete their CE at their convenience
to pivot quickly and launch our virtual demonstration videos, and lectures, in and in smaller “chunks,” as opposed to
“When it comes down to it, if you are unsure whether to host the event
and anyone’s health is at stake, push it back or cancel. And if you can
postpone to support your vendors, do it, because if we don’t support our
vendors now, they may not be around next year when we’re (hopefully)
back in-person.”
Tara Nokelby, Development Director, AEDC
sitting in a lecture for two to four hours,

Ryan says.
Ryan’s favorite comments are from
attendees who completed part of their
education while on an exercise bike and
another portion on the deck enjoying
the Alaska evening sun. “If attendees are
enjoying themselves while experiencing
the presentations and having positive
engagement with the platform, I count
that as a huge
win,” she says.
“My only concern
is how will I get
them back into
a hotel ballroom
for a lecture again
after they have
experienced this
Shari Ryan
type of freedom.”
ATIA Turns to Zoom

The Alaska Travel Industry
Association’s (ATIA) annual convention
is one of the most valued benefits
of being an ATIA business or partner
organization. So as the ATIA watched
other meetings and events start to
be postponed or cancelled due to
COVID-19, it reached out to its members
via an online survey asking for input on
the annual tourism industry convention
and trade show that it normally hosts
in the fall.
Survey respondents had mixed
feelings, according to ATIA President
and CEO Sarah Leonard. “While our
members ideally wanted to gather
in person, the uncertainty of the
status of the coronavirus challenged
many of our members who would
have traveled to Anchorage and/
or participated in the convention
and trade show,” she explains. “At
its members and the visitor industry
“We surveyed our sponsors and members back at large. From that experience, the
association knew it needed to think
in May to check-in with them and also analyze through an easy and efficient way for
its members to register, participate,
and network using an online system.
their level of comfort with an in-person event… “We also reviewed what media works
best with various connectivity in
It was fairly clear at that time that we would be communities throughout the state
and are sensitive to ‘webinar’ burnout,”
pivoting to a virtual event and, given the current Leonard says. “ATIA's goal is to provide
a virtual convention week for our
industry to be able to gather as well
climate, we’re extremely happy we made that as choose from various high value
presentations and meetings.”
call.” ATIA relies on Zoom to host webinars
and meetings. And while attendees
Tara Nokelby, Development Director, AEDC may not be able to physically rub
elbows during the online event, they
do have opportunities to network with
the same time, our membership To make the online convention one another. Zoom’s platform allows
provided us with their feedback that happen, the ATIA team began participants to use a chat function to
they wanted to gather in some way researching event and meeting interact online and raise their emoji
in October. With this information platforms—including cost, logistics, hands for questions. ATIA also invites
and ATIA Board of Director guidance, and staff expertise—that could support attendees to submit questions prior to
we decided to move our in-person a virtual event. ATIA has been hosting convention webinars and presentations.
Anchorage event to 2021 and are online meetings and presentations The group even thought to include time
hosting a virtual convention week since earlier this year as a way to for attendees to network at a virtual
this October 5-9.” continue to provide information to social hour.

With planning and coordination,
virtual conferences can still allow for
networking and audience interaction.
Fabio Principe | iStock

ATIA invites attendees to submit questions prior
to convention webinars and presentations. The
group even thought to include time for attendees to
network at a virtual social hour.
Boneman | Twenty20
WTC Anchorage The hourlong event accommodated says. “In other words, people will have a
Emerges from Hiatus about two dozen people and sold choice in how they participate.”
As one of the largest event organizers out almost immediately. “I could have
in the state, WTC Anchorage has been sold a lot more seats, two or three Insights from
conducting meetings throughout times that,” Executive Director Greg Meeting Organizers
Alaska—including in Fairbanks, Juneau, Wolf says. “Generally, we can have up Organizations in Alaska have
and Kodiak—for more than thirty to fifty people, but because of social gained unique insights from staging
years. The events include six major distancing requirements we are doing conventions and other meetings during
conferences each year as well as the twenty to twenty-five. the coronavirus pandemic. For instance,
Tech Forward Alaska Luncheon and “It was very gratifying that when Wolf feels it’s imperative for WTC
Alaska Infrastructure Development we did our first one a week ago [on Anchorage—and other businesses—to
Luncheon. WTC Anchorage also holds July 15], I stood up and announced determine a way to open safely. His
three country-focused conferences that we are very happy to be back personal belief is that businesses cannot
for places like China, Japan, and and got a standing ovation,” Wolf wait for a vaccine to be developed to
Korea, along with receptions for says. “The people were glad we resume operations, and that’s why he
visiting delegations and weekly were back—and they were glad to be was anxious to get back to in-person
member lunches. back meeting in person.” weekly luncheons. He explains: “We
But this year, COVID-19 caused Attendees followed recommended couldn’t see our businesses standing
a temporary disruption for the safety precautions, but they were also still month after month. The prospect of
organization, whose membership networking and exchanging business everything shut down by choice didn’t
consists of more than one hundred cards as usual. “As best we could, seem very realistic to us. I think smart
entities involved with international trade we replicated what we normally do,” people can figure out ways of opening
and business. For four months, WTC Wolf says. and still doing so in a reasonably safe
Anchorage didn’t host any events in In mid-August, WTC Anchorage way; otherwise, there won’t be an
any format. But at the end of June, the was making provisions for a virtual economy or businesses to go back to.”
organization decided to hold in-person option for many of its events. “Our In addition, COVID-19 has
events again based on feedback from goal now—and beyond these times of underscored the need for WTC
its members and the community. WTC COVID—is to offer a dual platform for Anchorage to hold traditional, in-
Anchorage resumed meetings slowly our members and guests to participate person events. There are some aspects
and carefully in July, starting with its in our programs in person [health of business that can occur online in a
popular luncheon series: Meet and Brief. guidelines permitting] or virtually,” he virtual atmosphere, but a lot of business
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A participant at the 2019 ATIA Annual Convention in Juneau.
Frank Flavin | Alaska Travel Industry Association
needs to happen face to face, Wolf blend virtual and in-person events in
says. “Everyone’s trying to adapt the the future to give attendees the best
“Our goal now—and best they can and as fast as they can,” of both worlds. “Lemons, hard times,
he says. “Our whole livelihood depends challenges—however you want to
beyond these times of on people meeting in person.” frame it—we're in it together,” she says.
Ryan says ACS’ biennial conventions “We wish we were all getting together.
COVID—is to offer a provide networking opportunities for But we know better days are ahead.”
its doctors and their staff to learn from As for Nokelby, she feels the
dual platform for our each other’s real world experiences; decision to conduct a virtual event is
engagement with exhibitors to learn situational. “When it comes down to it,
members and guests about new products and services to if you are unsure whether to host the
assist them in their profession and in event and anyone’s health is at stake,
to participate in our their businesses; and an opportunity to push it back or cancel,” she says. “And
just have fun with their peers in a social if you can postpone to support your
programs in person setting. However, the virtual event is vendors, do it, because if we don’t
only addressing one component of the support our vendors now, they may
[health guidelines state convention—the CE piece for the not be around next year when we’re
chiropractic physician. She says: “Our (hopefully) back in-person. Of course,
permitting] or virtually… attendees come to our event for more some events, like ours, are time-
than just continuing education and sensitive and cannot be postponed.”
In other words, people training; they come for the camaraderie, Leonard says it’s been interesting to
to catch up with colleagues, to see old see how tourism industry businesses
will have a choice in how friends and make new ones, and to and partners have easily adapted to
make connections face-to-face. It’s ATIA’s virtual gatherings and convention.
they participate.” because of this, I know I’ll get them “This way of communicating and
Greg Wolf, Executive Director
back in the classroom together.” providing information has quickly
World Trade Center Anchorage Ryan says her perception of how to become the new normal, at least for
hold an event has shifted. She plans to today,” she says.
UIC
Cultural Values and Teamwork
Combine to Deliver Financial Success
It was apparent to Pokharel and partner with companies or individuals in
the rest of the executive team that several different industries.”
the struggling company needed an President Rexford’s passion for
overhaul. The new team immediately UIC and its shareholders, along with
started working to change the company’s his commitment to best leadership
direction, restructuring UIC’s business practices, are all factors that contributed
units to return them to profitability. UIC to UIC’s tremendous success.
experienced a remarkable turnaround “We understand basic universal
that has resulted in a record-breaking requirements for implementing smart
twenty-six months of profitability. and healthy best business guiding
“We have paid off all company loans principles. Hiring Mr. Jeevan Pokharel
except for one and would have paid as an executive was crucial to
that off if it didn’t have prepayment UIC’s remarkable and miraculous
penalties,” jokes Pokharel. “It was financial turnaround. More importantly,
extremely challenging to spearhead hiring team members with the ability
the company’s transformation while at to deliver positive revenue outcomes
the same time growing revenues and under Mr. Pokharel’s business leadership
profitability—and retaining our valuable directly resulted in UIC’s financial
Delbert Rexford, UIC President, CEO employees. We believe that, despite recovery… he is a mover and shaker in
U
all of the challenges faced in 2017 Alaska’s business world.
IC is one of Alaska’s most and early 2018, in 2020, all of UIC’s “I am happy to say that we have
financially sound companies, but operating subsidiaries will be profitable; all worked very hard at returning to
its journey to get here was not revenues will be at least 20 percent the original vision and purpose of the
without challenges. A little more than and income from operations over 350 company through a relentless focus
two years ago, UIC was struggling with percent higher than they were in 2018.” on our shareholder values and sound,
many of its subsidiaries incurring losses. Over the past year, UIC has expanded prudent business principles. Under our
The company’s line of credit was also further into new growth areas by current leadership, with the support of
exhausted and bonding facilities were adding several business lines in Alaska UIC’s Board of Directors, and the hard
lost. Good employees were leaving, and and the Lower 48. The team has work of all of UIC’s employees, we see
quite frankly, UIC was facing a serious focused on hiring the best of the best nothing but a bright and prosperous
liquidity problem that threatened the and improving UIC’s overall reputation future for the company,” Rexford
company’s future. While this may read as one of Alaska’s leading companies. concludes.
like the beginning of a business horror UIC also expanded its operations in the
story, it is actually a success story Pacific Northwest with the acquisition
about how the right combination of of a majority interest in Seattle-based
solid leadership, teamwork, and cultural Johansen Construction Company.
values can turn things around. Pokharel continues, “Our short-term
In November of 2017, UIC’s Board of goal is to maintain the profitability we
Directors selected Delbert J. Rexford as are achieving and our ten-year goal is to
its new President and CEO. Rexford, an be one of the top three Alaskan-owned
Iñupiat, and an original UIC shareholder, companies both in terms of revenues
was quick to apply cultural values and and profitability, while consistently
the Arctic whaling tradition of teamwork providing our shareholders with healthy
Ukpeaġvik Iñupiat Corporation (UIC)
to UIC. Rexford’s initial focus was on dividends. We look forward to expanding
6700 Arctic Spur Rd.
building a strong executive team, which our footprint in many industries going Anchorage, AK 99518-1550
included hiring Jeevan Pokharel as the forward, and we are already looking 907-677-5200
new CFO, now COO. for other opportunities to acquire or uicalaska.com
AlaskaBusiness Profile
A L A S K A N AT I V E
Giant Clients
ANCs diversify with government contracts
JJPan | iStock

T
he diversified portfolios of government contracting as a way to
Alaska Native Corporations diversify the corporation.”
(ANCs) go far beyond resource The company has more than fifty
extraction projects and the state’s government contracts with various
borders. ANCs are no stranger to agencies, including the Army, Navy,
government contracts, as the different Air Force, Coast Guard, National
corporations offer professional Institutes of Health, Nuclear Regulatory
services, IT services, base operations Commission, Department of
and logistics support, hardware retail, Justice, US Agency for International
wholesale distribution, construction, Development, Defense Health Agency,
and more. GSA, and Department of Labor.
Cape Fox Corporation moved into According to Luchtefeld, Cape
government contracts around the Fox mainly focuses on four sectors:
turn of the millennium with the goal healthcare, professional services, IT,
of diversifying. and construction services. Most of the
“Cape Fox was originally focused contracts the corporation is awarded
on the timber industry in southeast are three to five years long.
Alaska,” Cape Fox Corporation “Government contracting has been a
CEO Chris Luchtefeld says. “As the consistent and stable revenue stream,”
company progressed and the timber says Bering Straits Native Corporation
industry was slowing, the corporation (BSNC) Executive Vice President Dan
made the decision to enter into Graham. “Government contracting

has served an important role in be one to two years or more before
BSNC's growth and ability to provide you are able to receive your first
“Government shareholder benefits, including regular contract. That can require a significant
and elder dividends, bereavement investment for the startup timeframe.
contracting has served payments, jobs, internships, Often individuals or companies can
scholarships, and support for nonprofit become frustrated because they don’t
an important role in entities that provide services to BSNC

shareholders and descendants.”
see sales for an extended period of
time, but unfortunately that is how the
Graham notes that BSNC’s process works. It is not a fast process.”
BSNC's growth and government work reaches beyond However, the benefits of these
Alaska. “Revenue from government contracts are that they tend to be
ability to provide contracting brings economic diversity stable, last multiple years, and “the
and strength to Alaska,” Graham says. government typically pays their bills on
shareholder benefits, The Learning Curve

time,” Luchtefeld notes.
Serving government contracts is Specialized Departments

including regular different from the private sector in a Doyon Government Group (DGG) and
variety of ways, explains Graham. Doyon Utilities handle the government
and elder dividends, “For someone that is not in the contracting line of business for Doyon;
industry, the bidding process can look DGG focuses on construction and
bereavement payments, very complicated. There are many laws,

policies, and procedures that govern
information technology.
“DGG’s construction companies
the bidding process. The typical process operate across the United States and
jobs, internships, starts with a Request for Proposal [RFP] employ comprehensive, time-tested
from the government for services that protocols and procedures to manage
scholarships, and they need a contractor to perform,” diverse construction activities. Each
Luchtefeld says. project performance is marked by
support for nonprofit “These documents are loaded with

legal terms, government acronyms,
strong management and
craftspeople who are committed to
skilled
references to government policies, and safety, constructability, quality, budget,

entities that provide instructions to potential bidders. While and schedule adherence,” Doyon
on the surface it looks very complex, President and CEO Aaron Schutt says.
services to BSNC once you are in the industry, you “DGG’s information technology
learn the majority of government RFPs companies, Arctic Information
shareholders and follow a very similar format, cite similar

policies, and follow a general formula.
Technology
provide
and
advanced
designDATA,
computer
Once you learn that formula, bidding support, network solutions, IT
descendants.” becomes much simpler.” support, cloud computing services,
Luchtefeld points out that the financial management software,
Dan Graham, Executive Vice President, BSNC
jargon, processes, and compliance and comprehensive support for
requirements involved with pursuing Microsoft and HP products, among
government contracts make for a steep others. Additionally, their teams
learning curve for the first few years. offer network infrastructure support,
“There are some unique government managed services, deployment, and
contracting skillsets that are needed to maintenance of computer networks,
be successful. For example, individuals and other IT infrastructure solutions.”
need to understand government The National Park Service (NPS)
security procedures, government awarded Arctic IT a five-year contract
contracting laws, government in 2018 to implement a new recreation
compliance, and other aspects business management system at every
not found in typical commercial National Park in the United States,
companies,” Luchtefeld says. Schutt explains.
“All that being said, the learning “The contract covers 165 parks with
curve can be shortened significantly by the NPS throughout the United States,
working with someone familiar with the Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands.
industry that can train the corporation. Arctic IT provides point-of-sale hardware
The other aspect of the learning curve and a Microsoft-based solution to the
is the long lead times for government NPS to collect, reconcile, and report
contracts. If you start a government on recreational fee revenue,” Schutt
contracting subsidiary today, it could says. “The new system will standardize
processes across the NPS systems to
increase efficiency and effectiveness.”
Doyon Utilities landed the largest
utility privatization contract ever
awarded by the US military in 2008,
Schutt confirms. Navigating pathways through a complex legal universe
“The contract term is fifty years and
covers twelve utility systems on the three • Federal Procurement • Consumer Protection
Army bases in Alaska—Fort Wainwright, • Real Estate & Property • Bankruptcy
Fort Richardson, and Fort Greely. Doyon • Business Law & Forms • Military & Veteran Matters
Utilities continues to safely provide • Regulations & Ordinances • Wills, Trusts & Probate
reliable utility services,” Schutt says. • Outside General Counsel • Immigration Law
“These services include central heat,
power plant heat distribution system 907.885.6619 • 866.852.4554 (Toll Free) or info@polarislawgroupak.com
and utilidors, electrical distribution
system, water distribution system
and treatment, wastewater collection
system and treatment plant, and natural
gas distribution system.”
Cape Fox’s government contracts are
primarily outside of Alaska, though it
currently has three contracts for which
all or some of the work is done in-state,
Luchtefeld says.
“We really like to perform work
in Alaska, but to significantly grow
the company, we have to pursue
work outside of Alaska,” Luchtefeld
explains. “The dollar amounts can vary
significantly. We have contracts that
range from $50,000 per year to $20
million per year. Contracts are usually
awarded for multiple years. Common
award timeframes are usually three,
four, or five years: some of the largest
ANCs have contracts that can be
hundreds of millions of dollars in value
over five years.”
The key, of course, is landing
such contracts.
Securing Government
Contracts 101
“The contracting process can vary
a lot, but there are some general
steps that we usually see. When the
government has a requirement, the
government contracting office works
with the government end customer to
develop the terms of the requirement.
This results in a document that is usually
called a Performance Work Statement
[PWS] or a Statement of Work [SOW],”
says Luchtefeld. “This is the technical
document that describes in detail the
type of work the government wants a
contractor to perform. From there, the
government will often issue a Request
for Information or Sources Sought or a
similar type of notice.”
Mark Alexander | iStock
Bluejayphoto | iStock
Dennisvdw | iStock
The National Park Service awarded Arctic IT a five-year contract

in 2018 to implement a new recreation business management
system throughout the National Park Services' 165 parks.

The technical document is then sent Luchtefeld reiterates that there
“There are some out to determine contractors’ ability to

do the work, as well as their interest
are significant differences between
government contracts and the private
level. The feedback the government sector, from timelines to compliance.
unique government entity gets from contractors can help It can take anywhere from three
it determine how viable the work is, months to three years for a government
contracting skillsets Luchtefeld explains.
“From there, the government usually
agency to award a contract depending
on the size and scope of the project,
that are needed to issues an RFP. The RFP contains the

PWS or SOW along with all of the typical
he says.
“The government closely controls
government acquisition/procurement and monitors the process and the
be successful. For regulations and instructions for government works on its own timeline.
contractors to respond to the request. With the private sector, a salesperson
example, individuals A typical response comes in the form
of a proposal to the government from
may be able to offer a special limited
time deal to entice a customer to
need to understand the contractor. The government is

very specific in its requirements for the
accelerate their procurement process
or pressure the customer into making a
response,” Luchtefeld says. purchase,” Luchtefeld says.
government “A common response has a “These tactics do not typically
technical volume where the work in the government contracting
security procedures, contractor describes how they will
perform the work being requested, a
environment. The compliance aspect
is the other big difference… The
government pricing volume where the contractor

provides a detailed breakdown of
security, contracting, legal, and general
compliance aspects in government
the pricing to perform the work, contracting are different from private
contracting laws, and a contracting volume where the sector businesses.”
contractor provides government
government required certifications, registration
information, and other information
compliance, and other needed by the government to

confirm the contractor is eligible
to receive a contract from the
aspects not found in government. The government
evaluates the responses from the
typical commercial contractors and selects a winner.”
companies.”
Chris Luchtefeld
CEO
Cape Fox Corporation

TOP
ers
2020
2020 TOP 49ERS SPECIAL SECTION
Triumphant Journeys:
The Alaska Business 2020 Top 49ers
By Kathryn Mackenzie
O
ne factor that contributes to successful business operations is the ability to adapt to new situations; rare is the
organization that flourishes without changing at all. This year, as we are all acutely aware by now, will go down in
history for many, many things including the wide range of methods implemented by businesses as they adapted to
the new landscape presented to them by COVID-19. Some organizations have been overwhelmed by demand (healthcare
comes to mind) while others experienced the exact opposite problem. Businesses in the retail, hospitality, and tourism
industries continue to struggle to stay afloat, protect their employees and clients, and navigate the ever-changing, sometimes
conflicting protocols and procedures mandated by local municipalities, state government, and federal officials.
As we contemplated the theme for our 2020 Top 49ers, it never occurred to us that the words "migration" and "journeys"
would have such weighted meanings—or that the idea of adapting to new circumstances wouldn't just be a hypothetical
concept to file away for the future. No matter the industry, this has been, and will likely continue to be for a long time, a time
of transition and change filled with hard decisions and substantial sacrifices. As we at Alaska Business continue to figure out
how to operate in our new world (I’m still writing to you from my home office and gratefully so), we wondered how some of
Alaska’s most successful and long-running organizations are navigating their own course through the global pandemic. Here
we’ve compiled a selection of their answers, and while they’re presented alphabetical order, there is also a running theme of
success through teamwork, a great sense of social responsibility, and adaptability.
Make sure to access the digital edition at akbizmag.com for enhanced Top 49ers content including an exclusive
animated presentation and five-year, alphabetical Top 49ers revenue chart.
to take as much company sponsored program to its shareholders and

AHTNA
leave as necessary to receive descendants. Adaptation and resiliency
We are incredibly proud of the COVID-19 testing. are key values held by BSNC.
resilience and flexibility our employees
have shown in meeting our business ARCTIC SLOPE REGIONAL CORPORATION BRISTOL BAY NATIVE CORPORATION
and client needs while maintaining their
While 2020 has been challenging for BBNC has taken proactive steps
health and safety. We’ve supported our
the corporation, the health and safety to support and help prepare our
clients’ COVID-19 response through
of our shareholders, communities, and shareholders, employees, and
emergency deep cleaning for NOAA
employees remains our top priority. communities throughout the
and design/construction of alternate
COVID-19 pandemic. BBNC’s
care facilities for USACE.
BERING STRAITS NATIVE CORPORATION COVID-19 Response Team assessed
the needs of our shareholders,
While the pandemic has caused many
AIRPORT EQUIPMENT RENTALS employees, and communities to
disruptions and delays, these are not
ensure BBNC was assisting in the
To ensure customer and employee expected to have a significant impact
most efficient way possible.
safety, Airport Equipment Rentals has on BSNC’s overall business operations
increased the sanitation of facilities and revenue. BSNC’s employees
CALISTA CORPORATION
and equipment. For our employees, quickly adapted to working remotely to
we have facilitated the computers and continue to serve our customers and Nordic-Calista Services is
network access necessary to allow shareholders. Through the company’s rehabilitating Rig 2, using loan
employees to work from home. We smooth transition online, BSNC was still proceeds from the SBA Paycheck
are also encouraging our employees able to provide the valuable internship Protection Program to fund the labor
costs. To enhance rig capabilities and protect its employees, shareholders,
function, Nordic is replacing the rig’s communities, and operating
existing mast with a larger mast with businesses. That effort has included
more capacity and installing a top drive issuing early payment of dividends
unit. Nordic also performed upgrades and Elder distributions; establishing
on its camps. For instance, Nordic a Community and Tribal Support
bought a trailer that allows Camp 101 Fund to provide financial support
to be moved to new locations faster (funds distributed by Chugachmiut);
than before. Also, the camp’s water assembling a Chugach Regional
and sewer systems, which used to be Resources Group for communities,
external to the camp, have been unitized tribes, and organizations across the
into each camp module for more region to partner, share information,
efficient camp setup and operations. and connect the community with
“The work we performed this summer monetary and other resources;
using the SBA Paycheck Protection distributing masks to shareholders and
Program proceeds allowed us to rehire communities, as well as employees;
over half of our workforce,” says Nordic- donating to community organizations
Calista President Sharon Lechner. supporting COVID-19 response
“Further, our capital investment in our efforts; adopting telecommuting for
rigs and camps represents our new Rig corporate and regional offices early
Build Philosophy that recognizes we in the COVID-19 crisis to safeguard
have to listen to the marketplace and our team; and increasing health,
provide more value to our customers hygiene, and safety vigilance at all
than we have in the past.” our sites and offices.
CAPE FOX CORPORATION COOK INLET REGION INC.

CFC represents the Tlingit natives In the era of a global pandemic,
of the Village of Saxman. Our Tlingit CIRI has used electronic resources to
natives understand the need for efficiently and effectively conduct the
adaptability and resiliency. This year company business. CIRI conducted its
has taught us to again adapt and be first ever virtual Annual Meeting and
resilient. CFC had done much to do just is currently conducting all company
that by increasing its communications meetings virtually. While pandemic
to everyone with daily email updates times are a challenge to navigate for
on COVID-19 and weekly inspirations, everyone, CIRI will continue to innovate
creating new work environments and utilize lessons learned through
through remote work, and performing this crisis to be a better and stronger
more community service to ensure company moving forward.
our communities are protected—as we
did when we provided gift bags filled
CORNERSTONE GENERAL CONTRACTORS
with necessities for everyone in the
community. CFC has always worked as Cornerstone responded to
a team, and this year’s events have only the pandemic immediately and
unified our team more. implemented a COVID-19 Company
Policy as soon as the State of Alaska
CHOGGIUNG. LTD announced its first confirmed case. As
the COVID-19 situation rapidly evolves,
Grit, determination, perseverance,
Cornerstone is managing efforts to
focus.
ensure the health and safety of our
employees, families, subcontractors,
CHUGACH ALASKA CORPORATION
and customers. We are committed to
At Chugach, we understand better ensuring a working environment with
than most that the world is constantly a zero to very low risk of transmission
changing, and after nearly five of COVID-19. We are using CDC
decades of adapting and overcoming Guidelines as our road map for how to
challenges, our corporation remains navigate through this time. All job sites
resilient and thriving today. Chugach adhere to added controls, including
has been agile responding to the requiring all personnel to take their own
COVID-19 pandemic to support and temperatures at home and providing
2020 TOP 49ERS SPECIAL SECTION photo evidence upon entering the staffed it with incredible employees, all levels of the bank. We continue to
job site each day and requiring over and above their regular duties. communicate all details of any change
superintendents to record results as a We involved all leadership, educated in our banking services to customers
part of the daily report. our employees, and committed to directly. Resources on FNBAlaska.com,
keeping them safe and our planes updated signage on all branches, email
CREDIT UNION 1 flying. We remain in the COVID battle updates, and frequent posts on social
daily and are more in touch and in media keep our customers informed.
Getting our employees into a
tune with our employees than ever. Our employees pitched in to make sure
remote work environment at the start
This challenge is proving to come fellow Alaskans have financial services
of COVID-19 in Alaska was a huge
with some valuable lessons learned. available when they need them most.
challenge to logistics and resources.
A great example is the round-the-
We managed to transition about
FIRST NATIONAL BANK ALASKA clock shifts put in, for several days, to
one-third of our workforce in just a
process the SBA PPP loan applications
few weeks. These were big choices, With twenty-seven branches in
to help Alaska businesses receive
but they were the right choices for eighteen communities statewide, the
the vital assistance they need right
our people. Many of our employees challenge of keeping First National
now. This dedication and hard work
learned to do their jobs from home, customers and employees safe and
is demonstrated by our phenomenal
virtually overnight, while maintaining healthy during the COVID-19 pandemic
employees in all areas of the bank.
teamwork and communication. has been a daunting task and an
Our members had their in-person ongoing one. The safety and health
GOLDBELT
avenues of service changed, but of our employees and customers has
they still used us just as much for been at the forefront of every action One of Goldbelt's strengths is
their financial needs. New options taken. The bank quickly established a our resilience and ability to adapt
such as video appointments with our COVID-19 Emergency Response Team, to changing circumstances. Despite
members service representatives which has been closely monitoring this closing our offices to the public in
and curbside pickup for certain items situation since February. Throughout March with short notice and the
have been extremely well received the COVID-19 crisis, First National impact we continue to see on some
and appreciated by our members. has remained open to meet the operations, such as the tourism-
We’re continuing to grow, adapt, and needs of the communities we serve. based Juneau Tram, Goldbelt has
find new ways to provide excellent We continue to operate under the continued to thrive throughout 2020.
service every day. Opportunities bank’s COVID-19 critical infrastructure Through careful decision-making and
are there to reach these goals, protocol, which was submitted to the flexibility, we have been honored to
especially in times of crisis. We make State of Alaska as required. Following have had the opportunity to adapt and
our own magic at Credit Union 1, all CDC, state, and local guidelines, assist in the prevention and response
and we will always work to keep that cloth face coverings have been made efforts to the COVID-19 pandemic,
up. As a whole, we have continued available to all employees. We strongly with several subsidiaries readjusting
putting members first in good times encourage employees to follow social their operations to source and supply
and tough times alike, and with that distancing and require cloth face PPE and assist the CDC in treatment
mindset, the future is bright for CU1 covering protocols in all areas of the and prevention laboratory research,
and our valued Alaskan members. bank. When possible, employees while still maintaining our everyday
are working remotely and rotating operations and expected level of
DOYON schedules within branches and offices success.
throughout the bank to mitigate the
The Doyon Settlement Trustees
spread of the virus. First National KONIAG
(DST) approved an early distribution to
continues to offer high-quality service
DST beneficiaries to provide relief for Koniag committed $60,000 to
to meet customers’ needs. Branch
families impacted by the pandemic support in-region COVID-19 response
lobby visits are available, although
and to assist during the related and recovery efforts. This follows
customers are strongly encouraged
economic crisis. region-wide meetings with tribes,
to conduct transactions by using
Village corporations, and nonprofits in
the drive-thru, online and mobile
EVERTS AIR CARGO | EVERTS AIR ALASKA the Kodiak region to seek guidance on
banking services, and ATMs. To help
what is needed most.
As part of the essential keep employees informed of recent
infrastructure, we recognized early on changes, a COVID-19 information
LYNDEN
that we would need to be proactive hub was created for easy access to
to serve our customers and our state. daily updates, trusted resources, and Lynden employees have stepped
Within days, our action plan was in FAQs. In addition, the Emergency forward to meet the needs of
place. Our objective was to initiate Response Team conducts twice- customers and kept freight moving
tight controls—before they were weekly briefings with all managers to Alaska throughout the challenges
required. We introduced a notification and supervisors, who then funnel that of 2020. Lynden barges, trucks, and
and follow through program and information to their employees and planes deliver cargo to all points in
Alaska providing a supply lifeline to

much of the state. "The safety of our
people and serving our customers are
our priorities during these challenging
times. We've been keeping freight
moving to Alaska since 1954, and
we're not planning to stop now,"
says Chairman Jim Jansen. "Lynden
companies provide critical cargo
services throughout Alaska and beyond
and we are committed to delivering
essential supplies and services to our
customers and communities."
MATANUSKA ELECTRIC ASSOCIATION

MEA has successfully worked to
keep employees and members safe
throughout the pandemic. Office
closures, remote work schedules,
additional PPE and training, and
adapting to the constant change have
all helped to mitigate these challenging
times. We've been able to keep our
members up to date through social
media campaigns and email contacts.
MTA
MTA has gone above and beyond to
keep its community connected amid
COVID-19 by providing more than
2,600 households across the Mat-Su
Valley with upgraded internet, through
its e-learning enablement initiative for
students and educators, by setting up P N D
WiFi hotspots throughout its service
area, and more. E NGINEERS, I NC.
NANA
NANA and our family of companies
continue to partner with organizations We’re innovators.
in our region, throughout Alaska, and PND Engineers regularly investigates
beyond to help prevent the spread and tests new designs to provide
of COVID-19 and ease its impact on clients with practical, cost-effective
shareholders and employees. solutions and expand our markets.
This research has led to many
SEALASKA
developments in arctic and
The company has continued to marine design, such as the
look for ways to keep its 23,000
Anchorage    TM bulkhead,
shareholders informed about the Juneau currently being installed at the new
business during the unprecedented Palmer
Seattle
Crowley Fuels dock in Kotzebue.
pandemic caused by the [novel]
coronavirus. Several shareholders
Houston Let’s work together!
Portland
have asked how the pandemic has V ancouver, B.C.
affected our business. It’s important
you know that our business is on track,
Civil • Planning • Surveying • Structural • Permitting • Marine Facilities
despite COVID-19’s considerable Geotechnical • Environmental • Transportation • Coastal Engineering
Hydrology • Contract Administration • Construction Engineering Support
challenges. Sealaska businesses had
a record year in 2019, and we’re on
course for another successful year.
Our priority has been to keep our
people safe and, if possible, to enable
When your business is them to continue working. We have

been able to keep all of our people
employed and, to our knowledge,
protected by Umialik, have avoided serious illness. Seafood
processing is among the most
you are guaranteed the noteworthy parts of our business.

Our seafood companies are providing
local, reliable, claims

an essential service that transforms
the 2019 domestic catch into healthy,
low-impact food. Feeding people is
service you deserve. especially critical right now. While
the pandemic has impaired global
and other food systems, such as meat
and poultry processing, the Alaska/
Pacific Northwest supply chain has
remained strong through the crisis.
Sourcing and processing locally
is more than just environmentally
sound. It makes the food supply
reliable and resilient. Our approach,
driven by a desire to feed people
while diminishing our impact on the
planet, has been an enormous benefit
through the crisis. And our businesses
www.umialik.com have applied focus, clarity, and drive
to keeping employees safe through
record production. Because safety in
seafood processing is so important
COLOR PRINTING and challenging, our operations are
DIRECT MAIL closely scrutinized by regulators. Two
MARKETING federal agencies—the Centers for
Disease Control and the Occupational
CUSTOM LABEL & Safety and Health Administration—
DECALS
recently toured our Orca Bay plant
TRADE SHOW in Seattle as part of a regional review
GRAPHICS of all plants that have been working
throughout the pandemic. They
BANNERS & DISPLAY reported that our plant had among
GRAPHICS
the more robust programs they have
PROMOTIONAL come across. Sealaska’s water and
PRODUCTS infrastructure businesses in California
and elsewhere are also providing
essential services. The pandemic
EASY magnifies the importance of access
ONLINE to clean water as homes, businesses,
and hospitals rely on uninterrupted
ORDERING water services to keep people safe.
tpress.net THE KUSKOKWIM CORPORATION

TKC is uniquely positioned to
HELPING YOU BUILD YOUR BUSINESS weather storms like the one we are
currently facing with COVID-19. Many
907.561.8477 of our subsidiaries are nimble enough
D E S I G N | P R I N T | M A I L | P R O M OT E to follow where the work is and are not
552 West 58th
tied to a specific building or job site. TKC
Anchorage AK 99518
is focusing on work that can be done

during the pandemic, keeping costs

down company wide, and supporting
our staff and shareholders.
THREE BEARS ALASKA

SEARHC is one of the largest and most historic Native-run health
When [COVID-19] first hit, there organizations in the United States.
was a lot of panic buying, there were We provide Medical, Dental, Behavioral Health and Community
product shortages and outages, and Health services, and take great pride in enhancing the quality of
the supply chain became generally life for all Alaskans in the communities we serve.
quite strained. We have become very
creative in reconstituting a more robust
Map Legend
supply chain, both in terms of acquiring
the products everyone expects plus Hospitals and Clinics
Clinic Locations
in acquiring the products to keep our
Itinerant Health Services
customers and employees safe. Lots Shared Services
of long hours and thousands of phone
calls and emails. Plus, our employees—
especially our in-store frontline
employees—proved how "essential"
they really are by stepping up and
conquering every challenge. Amazing!
UKPEAĠVIK IÑUPIAT CORPORATION

Recognizing the 2020 challenges, Visit searhc.org for
and with the actions UIC immediately more information.
initiated, UIC has been rewarded with
record revenues and profits even during
this difficult time.
USIBELLI COAL MINE

The flexibility and perseverance of
UCM employees have allowed the coal
mine to successfully operate as critical
infrastructure in the state during the FROM HERE TO THERE?
COVID-19 worldwide pandemic. Our
employees worked hard to ensure a
reliable source for heat and power was
NO PROBLEM.
provided to the homes of Interior Alaska
residents and businesses.
WATTERSON CONSTRUCTION
When the pandemic hit Alaska,
Watterson Construction Co. (WCC)
had nearly completed a project in an
active medical facility. To allow the We’re ready to tackle your most complex
client to adjust for the new health marine transportation, logistical and
climate, the project was suspended for modular transportation challenges
seven weeks. To resume the project, worldwide. With point-to-point turnkey
WCC hired an industrial hygienist logistics, and project and asset
to prepare a jobsite specific HASP management, we’ll get you from here
to there — safely and efficiently.
(Health and Safety Plan) for working in
a potentially COVID-19 infected area.
All personnel attended safety training always safe. always ready.
and were fit tested to wear respirators.
By following the procedures in the
HASP, WCC was able to complete the www.foss.com
project and the owner began using the

critically needed new facilities.
The 2020 Alaska Business Top 49ers:

Alaska's top locally-owned
companies ranked by gross revenue
ARCTIC SLOPE REGIONAL
1 CORPORATION
SERVICES:
ASRC has six major business segments: petroleum refining and
marketing, energy support services, construction, government
services, industrial services, and resource development.
YEAR ESTABLISHED IN ALASKA : 1972
2019 $3,766,757,000 EMPLOYEES : 15,181 Worldwide/3,635 in Alaska
2018 $3,396,783,000 RECENT EVENTS:

In May of 2020, teams from ASRC Federal played in integral part in
2017 $2,697,862,000 launching NASA's historic SpaceX Demo-2 mission. This was the first
launch of astronauts from an American rocket from American soil
2016 $2,371,164,000 since the last space shuttle mission in 2011.
2015 $2,515,377,000 REX ALLEN ROCK SR ., PRES./CEO

PO Box 129
Barrow, AK 99723
2019 Rank 1 asrc.com
Change in ASRCExternalAffairs@asrc.com
Revenue
from 2018
11% 907-852-8633

BRISTOL BAY
2 NATIVE CORPORATION
SERVICES:
Industrial services, government services, construction, seafood,
tourism, and natural resources.
EMPLOYEES : 4,343 Worldwide/1,903 in Alaska
2019 $1,766,967,000 RECENT EVENTS:

In January, BBNC partnered with the DMV to create Alaska's first ever
2018 $1,689,014,000 mobile DMV in New Stuyahok. Twenty-two residents received their
driver's license (a common requirement for employment and training
2017 $1,659,345,000 opportunities) and dozens received their REAL ID.
2016 $1,525,181,000 JASON METROKIN , PRES./CEO

111 W. 16th Ave., Ste. 400
2015 $1,512,022,000 Anchorage, AK 99501
bbnc.net
2019 Rank 2 info@bbnc.net
907-278-3602
Change in
Revenue
from 2018
5%
3 NANA
SERVICES:
Resource development; land management; federal contracting;
engineering and design; surveying and mapping; food and facilities
management; camp services; security; industrial and commercial
fabrication and installation; drilling services.
2019 $1,655,322,000 YEAR ESTABLISHED IN ALASKA : 1972
2018 $1,501,302,000
RECENT EVENTS:
2017 $1,354,000,000 In 2019, Red Dog Mine marked thirty years of production, during
which the mine has continuously produced zinc, lead, and other
2016 $1,300,000,000 elements for global markets and employed more than 3,000 NANA
shareholders.
2015 $1,600,000,000
WAYNE WESTLAKE , PRES./CEO
PO Box 49
2019 Rank 3 Kotzebue, AK 99752
Change in nana.com
Revenue
from 2018
10% news@nana.com
907-442-3301

4 LYNDEN
SERVICES:
Lynden is a family of transportation companies with capabilities including
truckload and less-than-truckload services, scheduled and charter barges,
scheduled and charter cargo aircraft, worldwide freight forwarding, heavy
haul and oversize services, intermodal bulk chemical hauls, and multi-
2019 $1,075,000,000 modal logistics.
954
2018 $1,050,000,000
RECENT EVENTS:
2017 $950,000,000 Alaska Marine Lines celebrated forty years of providing barge service
to Alaska. Lynden’s mobile app enables customers to track and view
2016 $925,000,000 shipment information from anywhere, at any time. The Lynden companies
are repeat winners of Logistics Management's Quest for Quality Award.
2015 $975,000,000 JIM JANSEN , CHAIRMAN
6520 Kulis Dr.
2019 Rank 4 Anchorage, AK 99502
Change in lynden.com
Revenue
from 2018
2% information@lynden.com
907-245-1544
CHUGACH ALASKA
5 CORPORATION
SERVICES:
Wide-ranging services for federal and commercial clients including
facilities management and maintenance, construction, technical and
IT, oil and gas, and education services.
2019 $977,000,000
RECENT EVENTS:
2018 $949,000,000 Focused on ANCSA land initiatives that create shareholder value:
Coal sale that retired development rights and generated financial
2017 $920,000,000 return via dividends and a $30 million educational/cultural
endowment; bringing CARB carbon market to Alaska and making
2016 $842,000,000 carbon sales; granite quarry development; and land exchange.
SHERI BURETTA , INTERIM PRES./CEO/CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD

2015 $758,000,000 3800 Centerpoint Dr., Ste. 1200
Anchorage, AK 99503-4396
2019 Rank 5 chugach.com
Change in communications@chugach.com
Revenue
from 2018
3% 907-563-8866

CHENEGA
6 CORPORATION
SERVICES:
Chenega figures prominently in the diverse government services
contracting marketplace supporting defense, intelligence, and federal
civilian customers.
2019 $871,000,000 EMPLOYEES : 6,395 Worldwide/188 in Alaska
RECENT EVENTS:
2018 $830,000,000 Chenega was recognized with several awards that demonstrate
our ongoing commitment to excellence for our employees and
2017 $876,000,000 customers: we were named one of the best places to work in the
DC area by The Washington Post and selected as the Kennedy Space
2016 $927,000,000 Center Small Business Prime Contractor for 2019.
2015 $882,000,000 CHARLES W. TOTEMOFF, PRES./CEO

3000 C St., Ste. 301
2019 Rank 6 Anchorage, AK 99503-3975
Change in chenega.com
Revenue
from 2018
5% info@chenega.com
907-277-5706
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7 SEALASKA
SERVICES:
Sealaska's businesses are divided into three tiers: natural resources
and land management, environmental services, and sustainable
foods.
972
2019 $699,627,363 EMPLOYEES : 850 Worldwide/70 in Alaska
RECENT EVENTS:
2018 $429,333,000 In 2020, Sealaska added Barnacle Foods and CS Marine to its family
of subsidiary companies. This past year, the company also invested
2017 $293,400,000 $1 million towards a COVID-19 relief and recovery package to help its
shareholders and Alaska communities respond to the pandemic.
2016 $145,500,000
ANTHONY MALLOTT, PRES./CEO
2015 $109,440,000 One Sealaska Plaza, Ste. 400
Juneau, AK 99801-1276
2019 Rank 11 sealaska.com
Change in corpcomm@sealaska.com
Revenue
from 2018
63% 907-586-1512
AFOGNAK NATIVE
8 CORPORATION
SERVICES:
Afognak's subsidiaries provide an exceptional track record of
government and commercial services worldwide, including leasing;
facility services; timber; retail; engineering; IT; security; logistics;
operations and maintenance; and youth services.
2018 $643,686,000 RECENT EVENTS:

Afognak acquired Brown Jug, a retail business with an eighty-three-
2017 $608,104,000 year history, operating twenty-one stores across Alaska. The heritage
brand is Alaska’s first and largest retailer of spirits. The acquisition will
2016 $474,271,000 diversify Afognak’s subsidiary portfolio for enhanced profitability and
shareholder job opportunities.
2015 $457,569,000 GREG HAMBRIGHT, PRES./CEO
300 Alimaq Dr.
2019 Rank 7 Kodiak, AK 99615
Change in afognak.com
Revenue
from 2018
4% malia@afognak.com
907-486- 6014

CALISTA
9 CORPORATION
SERVICES:
Military defense contracting, construction, real estate, environmental
and natural resource development, marine transportation, oil field
services, and heavy equipment sales, service, and rentals.
RECENT EVENTS:
2018 $574,354,000 Calista fully acquired its newest subsidiary, Nordic-Calista
Services, on January 1. Nordic-Calista is a drilling and workover
2017 $480,200,000 company with four rigs and five camps for projects on Alaska’s
North Slope. Significant oil discoveries have attracted new
2016 $492,200,000 investors to the North Slope.
2015 $460,100,000 ANDREW GUY, PRES./CEO

5015 Business Park Blvd., Ste. 3000
calistacorp.com
Change in
calista@calistacorp.com
Revenue
from 2018
less than 1% 907-275-2800

COOK INLET
10 REGION, INC
SERVICES:
CIRI's financial strength lies in its diverse investment and business
portfolio, including real estate, oilfield and construction services,
energy and infrastructure, government services, technology services,
and private equity and venture capital investments.
2019 $493,023,000 YEAR ESTABLISHED IN ALASKA : 1972
EMPLOYEES : 80 Worldwide/80 in Alaska
2018 $513,881,000 RECENT EVENTS:

CIRI continues to manage a diverse portfolio of investments aimed
2017 $439,349,000 to protect and grow the company's assets on behalf of its more than
9,000 shareholders. The company seeks steady and diverse growth
2016 $289,048,000 through diverse investments in Alaska, throughout the US, and
around the world.
2015 $222,810,000 SOPHIE MINICH , PRES./CEO
PO Box 93330
Change in CIRI.com
Revenue
from 2018
4% info@CIRI.com
907-274-8638
UKPEAĠVIK IÑUPIAT
11 CORPORATION (UIC)
SERVICES:
Commercial civil and industrial construction, architecture,
engineering, surveying, environmental, marine logistics, real estate,
land, natural resources, IT, maintenance and manufacturing, tundra
transportation, and Arctic science support.
2018 $461,190,653 RECENT EVENTS:

Acquired majority interest in Seattle-based Johansen Construction.
2017 $470,425,629 Established other additional business lines. 2019 income from
operations increased 272 percent from 2018.
2016 $424,300,000
DELBERT J. REXFORD, PRES./CEO
2015 $424,426,000 PO Box 890
Utqiaġvik, AK 99723
2019 Rank 10 uicalaska.com
Change in uicmarketing@uicalaska.com
Revenue
from 2018
4% 907-852-4460

BERING STRAITS
SERVICES:
Government contracting, logistics, base operations support
services, aircraft and airfield services, special training and security,
management and consulting services, IT services, construction and
renovation, communications.
2019 $378,843,000 YEAR ESTABLISHED IN ALASKA: 1972
EMPLOYEES: 1,845 Worldwide/490 in Alaska
2018 $415,000,000 RECENT EVENTS:

BSNC has acquired Northwest Contracting, an Alaska-based industry
2017 $357,900,000 leader in pavement marking and grooving. Northwest Contracting
offers BSNC an opportunity to expand into a new market, grow the
2016 $326,000,000 company through SBA certification, and extend geographical reach.
2015 $304,404,000 GAIL R. SCHUBERT, PRES./CEO

3301 C St., Ste. 100
Change in beringstraits.com
Revenue
from 2018
9% info@beringstraits.com
907-563-3788
The Solutions Company - • Safe, cost effective solutions to the most

challenging projects
When experience • From the Arctic to the Gulf Coast
meets ingenuity • Full facility removal, asbestos, remediation,

waste management, demolition and site work
Central Environmental Inc.

CEI I The Solutions Company
Locations: Anchorage I Fairbanks I Las Vegas I Los Angeles
888-876-0125 I www.cei-alaska.com I #centralenvironmentalinc
13 KONIAG
SERVICES: Koniag's principal lines of business include commercial
real estate investments; ANCSA natural resource management; and
investments in various operating companies.
972
2019 $323,878,000
RECENT EVENTS:
Koniag made its initial contribution to the Settlement Trust that was
2018 $267,415,000 established in 2018 by an affirmative vote of Koniag shareholders.
Koniag’s intent is to grow its Settlement Trust and utilize it to fund
2017 $270,769,000 shareholder benefits.
2016 $251,588,000 RON UNGER , CHAIRMAN/CEO
194 Alimaq Dr.
2015 $267,460,000 Kodiak, AK 99615
koniag.com
2019 Rank 15 907-486-2530
Change in
Revenue
from 2018
21%
14 DOYON, LIMITED
SERVICES:
Oilfield services; drilling and pipeline infrastructure construction;
government services; security; utility management; natural resource
development; facility and food services; remote site support;
engineering; construction.
972
2018 $310,643,000 RECENT EVENTS:

Doyon recently partnered with Eighth Generation to have two
2017 $290,548,000 custom wool blankets created using inspiration from Alaska
Natives artists.
2016 $305,412,000
AARON SCHUTT, PRES./CEO
2015 $378,288,768 1 Doyon Pl., Ste. 300
Fairbanks, AK 99701-2941
2019 Rank 13 doyon.com
Change in communications@doyon.com
Revenue
from 2018
4% 888-478-4755

15 AHTNA, INC.
SERVICES:
Construction, engineering, environmental, facilities management,
surveying, security, military training, janitorial, healthcare and
medical records management, government contracting, land
management, resource development, and oil and gas pipeline
2019 $261,104,398 services.
972
2018 $284,400,000
RECENT EVENTS:
2017 $238,000,000 Our employee performance enabled the company to issue two
special dividend distributions to our shareholders during 2020 to
2016 $217,700,000 assist them during this time of economic hardship.
2015 $188,400,000 MICHELLE ANDERSON , PRES.

PO Box 649
2019 Rank 14 Glennallen, AK 99588
Change in ahtna.com
Revenue
from 2018
8% news@ahtna.net
907-822-3476
Site Available for Development in

Ship Creek Near Historic Depot
Contact Jim Kubitz, VP Real Estate, for more info:

907.265.2428 or KubitzJ@akrr.com
ALEUT
16 CORPORATION
SERVICES:
Government contracting; O&M; training and education; logistics;
construction; IT/telecom; environmental; remediation; engineering,
prototype and manufacturing; real estate; fuel and port services; oil
field testing; instrumentation.
2019 $258,131,652 YEAR ESTABLISHED IN ALASKA: 1972
2018 $252,293,053 RECENT EVENTS:

The Aleut Corporation acquired Strata-G Solutions based
2017 $211,837,206 in Huntsville, Alabama. This was a strategic acquisition that
demonstrates our commitment to diversify and grow our federal
2016 $171,655,823 contracting portfolio in line with our primary mission to maximize
dividends/opportunities for our shareholders/descendants.
2015 $137,942,098 THOMAS MACK , PRES./CEO
4000 Old Seward Hwy., Ste. 300
Change in aleutcorp.com
Revenue
from 2018
2% info@aleutcorp.com
907-561-4300
OLGOONIK
OLGO
17 CORPORATION
SERVICES:
Specializing in construction, logistics and operations, security,
environmental, and oilfield support services.
YEAR ESTABLISHED IN ALASKA: 1973
2019 $241,700,000 RECENT EVENTS:
Expansion of our Alaska-based operations to increase capacity for
2018 $228,500,000 overland transport and reinforce our abilities to complete legacy well
plugging and abandonment. Worldwide, Olgoonik has increased
2017 $260,200,000 capacity to perform engineering and remediation contracts.
2016 $241,800,000 HUGH PATKOTAK SR ., PRES./CEO

3201 C St., Ste. 700
2015 $260,600,000 Anchorage, AK 99503
olgoonik.com
2019 Rank 18 907-562-8728
Change in
Revenue
from 2018
6%

GOLDBELT
18 INCORPORATED
SERVICES:
Tourism, government contracting, facility management, IT
consulting, transportation, security services, and construction.
974
EMPLOYEES : 1,900 Worldwide/270 in Alaska
2019 $240,646,300
RECENT EVENTS:
Goldbelt, Incorporated continues to accomplish record-breaking
2018 $228,728,336 profitability through our pursuit of creative business solutions. We
are committed to excellence in serving both our shareholders and
2017 $229,389,285 customers. We value investing in Alaska through partnerships with
other Alaska-based organizations.
2016 $236,747,520
MCHUGH PIERRE , PRES./CEO
2015 $220,276,480 3025 Clinton Dr.
Juneau, AK 99801
2019 Rank 17 Goldbelt.com
Change in info@goldbelt.com
Revenue
from 2018
5% 907-790-4990
Building Alaska’s Future

Pre-construction & Construction Services: CM/GC • Design/Build • Bid/Build
info@wccak.com • WattersonConstruction.com
Medical • Office • Retail • Education • Civic • Military • Aviation & Transportation • Light Industrial
THREE BEARS
19 ALASKA
SERVICES:
Retail grocery; beer, wine, and spirits; general merchandise; sporting
goods; pharmacy; Ace hardware; and fuel.
YEAR ESTABLISHED IN ALASKA: 1980
2019 $237,342,665
RECENT EVENTS:
Now operating fourteen stores in Alaska featuring groceries; beer,
2018 $212,185,435 wine, and spirits; general merchandise; sporting goods; pharmacy
items; Ace hardware; and fuel.
2017 $187,029,540
DAVID A. WEISZ , PRES./CEO
2016 $173,169,699 445 N. Pittman Rd., Ste. B
Wasilla, AK 99623
2015 $175,279,992 threebearsalaska.com
907-357-4311
2019 Rank 19
Change in
Revenue
from 2018
12%
TYONEK NATIVE
20 CORPORATION
SERVICES:
Defense equipment manufacturing; 8(a) government service
contractor; aviation maintenance; construction; private land and
resource development; hospitality services; barge landing and port
service.
973
2019 $218,200,000 EMPLOYEES: 1,371 Worldwide/24 in Alaska
2018 $144,600,000 RECENT EVENTS:

TFab Manufacturing, a subsidiary of Tyonek Manufacturing Group
2017 $78,000,000 and Tyonek Native Corporation, received a BAE Systems Supplier of
the Year Award for Small Business based on exceptional performance
2016 $89,000,000 and contributions to supply chain success for BAE Systems’ Combat
Vehicles business unit.
2015 $101,000,000 LEO BARLOW, CEO
1689 C St., Ste. 219
Change in tyonek.com
Revenue
from 2018
51% sdeemer@tyonek.com
907-272-0707

DELTA
21 CONSTRUCTORS
SERVICES:
Delta Constructors specializes in construction management (estimating,
planning, scheduling, and project execution), procurement, fabrication,
self-perform construction, and commissioning services in support of
the oil and gas and mining industries. Committed to safety, quality, and
2019 $214,838,000 reliability.
2018 $175,772,000
RECENT EVENTS:
2017 $81,550,000 This has been a challenging year, but through hard work and sacrifices,
Delta Constructors has been able to hold strong. We are continuing to
2016 $121,228,363 deliver high quality results to our clients, and Delta’s employee number
and company growth is once again on the rise. We are looking to a
promising future.
2015 $179,492,000
2019 Rank 21 ED GOHR , CEO
351 E. 104th Ave.
Change in
Anchorage, AK 99515
Revenue
from 2018
22% deltaconstructors.net
907-771-5800
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CHUGACH ELECTRIC
22 ASS
SSOCIATION
OCIATION
SERVICES:
Through superior service, safely provides reliable and competitively priced
energy.
948
2019 $212,517,000
RECENT EVENTS:
Annual membership meeting and election. Pending acquisition of ML&P.
2018 $202,253,000
LEE THIBERT, CEO
2017 $224,689,000 5601 Electron Dr.
Anchorage, AK 99518
2016 $197,747,579 chugachelectric.com
prelations@chugachelectric.com
2015 $216,421,152 907-563-7494
2019 Rank 20
Change in
Revenue
from 2018
5%
TDX (TANADGUSIX)
23 CORPORATION
SERVICES:
TDX Corporation is owned by and represents the business interests
of more than 600 Aleut shareholders of St. Paul Island. Its business is
diversified among four service groups serving technology, government
services, hospitality, and Bering Sea fisheries.
973
2018 $138,000,000 RECENT EVENTS:

TDX Corporation was incorporated with the Alaska Native Claims
2017 $111,700,000 Settlement Act in 1971, as the Alaska Native Corporation for the
Community of St Paul.
2016 $122,200,000
CHRIS MANDREGAN JR ., CHAIRMAN/CHIEF EXEC.
2015 $139,500,000 3601 C St., Ste. 1000
Anchorage, AK 99503
2019 Rank 26 tdxcorp.com
Change in info@tanadgusix.com
Revenue
from 2018
40% 907-278-2312

FIRST NATIONAL
24 BANK ALASKA
SERVICES:
Friendly, knowledgeable Alaskans offering the convenience, service, and value
of a full range of deposit, lending, wealth management services, and online and
mobile banking. With twenty-seven branches in eighteen communities and
assets of more than $4.5 billion, we believe in Alaska and have since 1922.
922
EMPLOYEES: 640 Worldwide/640 in Alaska
2018 $164,818,000 RECENT EVENTS:

Alaska Business readers voted First National “Best of Alaska Business” in the
2017 $152,325,000 Best Place to Work category for the fifth year running and American Banker
named the bank a “Best Bank to Work For” in the US for the second year
2016 $150,499,000 in a row. Chair/CEO Betsy Lawer was named Alaska Chamber Outstanding
Alaskan.
2015 $142,215,000 BETSY LAWER , BOARD CHAIR/CEO
PO Box 100720
Change in FNBAlaska.com
Revenue
from 2018
6% customer.service@FNBAlaska.com
907-777-4362
wise counsel
DORSEY ATTORNEYS HAVE SERVED AS TRUSTED
COUNSEL TO ALASKA NATIVE CORPORATIONS AND
OTHER CLIENTS FOR OVER 20 YEARS
With over two decades of history in the Anchorage community, Dorsey & Whitney
provides full-service legal counsel to clients in the Alaska market and beyond.
Backed up by the resources of an international law firm with over 550 attorneys
across 19 offices, we offer global reach, local resources, and productive
relationships. All with a deep understanding of our clients’ businesses, the
risks they face, and the goals that drive them. Making us a wise choice for
smart businesses everywhere.
TOP RANKED
LAW FIRM IN ALASKA
12 PRACTICE AREAS
Corporate Law, Commercial Litigation,
Real Estate, Employment Law, and others
U.S. News–Best Lawyers 2020
(Woodward White, Inc.)
dorsey.com/anchorage

SITNASUAK
SERVICES:
Sitnasuak has subsidiaries in diverse business activities including
tactical apparel for military and public safety service men and
women, fuel distribution, retail store sales, title and escrow services,
and property rentals and development.
973
EMPLOYEES : 1,449 Worldwide/96 in Alaska
2018 $133,494,517 RECENT EVENTS:

A proud subsidiary of Sitnasuak Native Corporation, Bonanza Fuel
2017 $134,138,330 has acquired a subsidiary of their own, Nome Outfitters, expanding
our operations by helping the community with accessible products
2016 $130,210,466 for subsistence, outdoor, and recreation activities in Nome.
2015 $116,912,297 CHARLES FAGERSTROM , CEO

PO Box 905
2019 Rank 28 Nome, AK 99762
Change in snc.org
Revenue
from 2018
30% communications@snc.org
907-387-1200
26 CHOGGIUNG LTD.
SERVICES:
Construction, federal contracting services, hotel and diner,
apartments, commercial real estate.
972
2019 $150,189,000 RECENT EVENTS:
Over the past fiscal year, Choggiung and subsidiaries have
2018 $95,700,000 experienced significant business growth which has better positioned
the Corporation to carry out its vision, mission, and values for the
2017 $8,400,000 long term.
2016 $6,482,994
CAMERON POINDEXTER , PRES./CEO
2015 $7,404,422 PO Box 330
Dillingham, AK 99576
2019 Rank 33 choggiung.com
Change in contact@choggiung.com
Revenue
from 2018
57% 907-842-5218

MATANUSKA ELECTRIC
27 ASS
SSOCIATION
OCIATION
SERVICES:
Covering more than 4,000 miles of power lines, MEA's service area
extends north past the Chulitna River, over to the mighty Matanuska
Glacier, and south to Eagle River. MEA was founded in 1941 by 201
colonist families, and has 59,000 points of service.
941
2018 $148,639,243 RECENT EVENTS:

MEA has continued to work with other Railbelt utilities to provide
2017 $148,701,932 the most economic power to members, with its own power plant,
EGS, providing the most reliable power in the Railbelt. Operation
2016 $137,279,126 RoundUp, a program assisting those in need in our communities, has
given more than $1.2 million back to nonprofits.
2015
$142,549,343 TONY IZZO, CEO
PO Box 2929
2019 Rank 24 Palmer, AK 99645
Change in mea.coop
Revenue
from 2018
less than 1% meacontact@mea.coop
907-761-9300
Safe and responsible construction

services in Alaska for over 40 years
• Road construction • Site reclamation
• Airport construction • Underground utilities
• Site development • Erosion protection
• Riverbank restoration
2975 Van Horn Road, Fairbanks

(907) 452-5617 • (800) 440-8924
www.grtnw.com Locally Owned & Operated

28 COLVILLE
SERVICES:
Oil and gas industry and aviation support services, fuel industry supply
and solid waste utility, and logistics operating camp.
YEAR ESTABLISHED IN ALASKA :
1 981
2019 $117,558,062
RECENT EVENTS:
2018 $88,647,382 Development of an Aviation Fuel Distribution Center on the North
Slope; retaining and renewing current market share; successfully
2017 $87,479,056 made clients competitive in a changing marketplace.
2016 $96,299,358 DAVE PFEIFER , PRES./CEO

Pouch 340012
2015 $132,986,277 Prudhoe Bay, AK 99734
colvilleinc.com
2019 Rank 34 info@colvilleinc.com
907- 659-3198
Change in
Revenue
from 2018
33%
WATTERSON
WAT
29 CONSTRUCTION CO.
SERVICES:
Watterson Construction Co. is a general contractor specializing
in alternate delivery of commercial, medical, civic, education,
warehouse, government, and military sectors. Services include:
design/build, CM/GC, CM@Risk, and design/bid/build.
YEAR ESTABLISHED IN ALASKA :1 981
2018 $85,500,000 RECENT EVENTS:
We are currently in the process of completing six contracts for the
2017 $41,000,000 F-35 bed down at Eielson AFB.
2016 $52,000,000 JIM WATTERSON , PRES.

6500 Interstate Cir.
2015 $104,000,000 Anchorage, AK 99518
wattersonconstruction.com
2019 Rank 35 info@wccak.com
Change in 907-563-7441
Revenue
from 2018
35%

BETHEL NATIVE
30 CORPORATION
SERVICES:
Real estate development, property management, environmental
remediation, construction and demolition services, uniform and
accessories distribution, management, and warehouse services.
1 973
RECENT EVENTS:
2018 $153,715,435 Consistently profitable since 1987. Paid out $5 million in shareholders
dividends.
2017 $99,197,518
ANASTASIA HOFFMAN , PRES./CEO
2016 $71,771,183 PO Box 719
Bethel, AK 99559
2015 $54,275,351 bethelservices.com
krose@bncak.com
2019 Rank 23 907-543-2124
Change in
Revenue
from 2018
28%
MOVE YOUR
• Full-Color Printing
& Copying
BUSINESS
• Direct Mail
FORWARD
• Online Ordering Call one of our sales
• COVID Safety Signage representatives today!
(907) 274-3584
• Vehicle Wraps & Graphics
pipalaska.com
31 MTA
SERVICES:
Alaskan-owned co-op providing residents and businesses with
advanced communications products including wireless, high-
definition digital television with video-on-demand, high-speed
internet, local and long-distance, IT business support, IoT devices,
2019 $110,307,317 and more.
953
2018 $108,400,000
RECENT EVENTS:
2017 $116,648,000 In 2020, MTA Fiber Holdings, a wholly-owned subsidiary of MTA,
officially completed construction and commenced operation of
2016 $100,000,000 AlCan ONE, the first and only all-terrestrial fiber network connecting
Alaska to the contiguous US and beyond.
2015 $99,200,000
MICHAEL BURKE , CEO
2019 Rank 30 1740 S. Chugach St.
Change in Palmer, AK 99645
Revenue
from 2018
2% mtasolutions.com
907-745-3211
CONSTRUCTION
32 MACHINERY INDUSTRIAL
SERVICES:
Distributor of construction, mining, and logging equipment in Alaska.
Representative for Volvo, Hitachi, Atlas Copco, Doosan, Metso, Link-
Belt, and many other manufacturers.
985
2019 $102,000,000
RECENT EVENTS:
2018 $105,000,000 Challenges due to COVID-19 and operating safely while supporting
mining, construction, and oil industries in Alaska.
2017 $98,500,000
KEN GERONDALE , PRES./CEO
2016 $98,000,000 5400 Homer Dr.
Anchorage, AK 99518
2015 $105,000,000 cmiak.com
907-563-3822
2019 Rank 31
Change in
Revenue
from 2018
3%

DAVIS CONSTRUCTORS &
33 ENGINEERS
SERVICES:
Davis Constructors & Engineers offers complete project management
services to assist with design and construction of all types of building
projects. We have completed more than $2.6 billion in Alaska projects,
representing more than 7.6 million square feet of construction.
976
2018 $128,512,733 RECENT EVENTS:

In 2007 Davis established an endowment, with the Alaska Community
2017 $120,084,328 Foundation, to support our community. To date, over $400,000 has
been donated to Alaska causes through the Davis Constructors &
2016 $65,497,161 Employees Fund. The Davis committee is comprised of current and
past Davis “10 year” employees.
2015 $108,023,675 LUKE BLOMFIELD, PRES./CEO
6591 A St., Ste. 300
Change in davisconstructors.com
Revenue
from 2018
21% admin@davisconstructors.com
907-562-2336
PARTNERSHIPS BUILT ON TRUST
TRUSTED TRUSTED
to help Alaskans TRUSTED to outfit the military,
purchase their dream reliable partners first responders and
homes guided by traditional policemen
values
Contact us today to learn more about our services.

(907) 929-7000 | www.snc.org

HOMER ELECTRIC
34 ASSOCIATION
SERVICES:
Homer Electric is the generation, transmission, and distribution
electric cooperative for the western Kenai Peninsula. The
cooperative has approximately 32,000 meters on its system.
945
RECENT EVENTS:
2018 $97,000,000 HEA will add a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) at its Soldotna
Generation Plant to increase grid stability, electric power stability,
2017 $99,000,000 and system efficiency. The BESS will be capable of storing 93 MWh of
power that can be delivered to the grid at a rate of 46.5 MW per hour.
2016 $95,000,000
BRADLEY JANORSCHKE , GM
2015 $97,000,000 3977 Lake St.
Homer, AK 99603
2019 Rank 32 homerelectric.com
Change in 907-235-8551
Revenue
from 2018
Less than 1%
USIBELLI
35 COAL MINE
SERVICES:
Currently the only operational coal mine in Alaska, UCM is supported
by the most modern mining equipment and state-of-the-art
engineering. Today, UCM supplies affordable, reliable, and ultra-low
sulfur coal to the five power plants located in Interior Alaska.
2018 $81,000,000 RECENT EVENTS:

In May, UCM received the 2020 Alaska Governor’s Safety Award of
2017 $79,000,000 Excellence and, in July, the National Mining Association certified
UCM as a CORESafety operating mine. The safety program is an
2016 $80,000,000 industry-wide partnership built on a foundation of leadership,
culture, and health and safety systems.
2015 $86,000,000 JOSEPH E. USIBELLI JR ., PRES./CEO
100 Cushman St., Ste. 210
2019 Rank 36 Fairbanks, AK 99701
Change in usibelli.com
Revenue
from 2018
10% info@usibelli.com
907-452-2625

ANCHORAGE CHRYSLER
36 DODGE CENTER
SERVICES:
Chrysler, Jeep, and Dodge new and used vehicle sales and service.
Your hometown dealer for 47 years.
963
2019 $82,472,439
COREY MEYERS , PRES.
2601 E. Fifth Ave.
2018 $77,738,867 Anchorage, AK 99501
907-276-1331
2017 $90,546,881
2016 $79,853,962
2015 $89,313,811
2019 Rank 37
Change in
Revenue
from 2018
6%
Rex Rock Sr. David Allen Randy & Chandra Mines Rich Owens
Arctic Slope Regional Corporation Alaska Dream Cruises Bagoy’s Flowers Jewel Lake Tastee-Freez
SAVE THE DATE: January 21, 2021

34th Alaska Business Hall of Fame
Please join us for the celebration of Alaska business leaders
Sponsors Needed!
Please contact Flora at
AlaskaBusiness 907-344-0101 or visit
alaska.ja.org for more
event updates.
CRUZ
37 CONSTRUCTION
SERVICES:
Oil and gas operations, ice roads, snow trails, tundra transport, heavy
haul, heavy-civil, equipment, marine transportation, camps, logistics,
oilfield exploration, engineering, and consulting.
981
RECENT EVENTS:
2018 $137,401,439 Over the years, Cruz Construction increased its business ventures
(AKA Cruz Companies) extending outside Alaska. As the market
2017 $120,000,000 and economy shifted with the 2016 oil recession, Cruz adjusted
operations to target Alaska opportunity. Cruz right sized its core
2016 $183,717,140 business and stays dedicated to Alaska's future.
2015 $213,518,131 JEFF MILLER , SR. VP OPS

7000 E. Palmer Wasilla Hwy.
2019 Rank 27 Palmer, AK 99645
Change in cruzconstruct.com
Revenue
from 2018
41% 907-746-3144
THE KUSKOKWIM
38 CORPORATION
SERVICES:
Construction, government services, environmental services, lighting,
aerospace, aircraft maintenance and repair, real estate, and rural
retail.
1 977
2019 $78,672,271
RECENT EVENTS:
2018 $74,267,227 The Kuskokwim Corporation (TKC) has been focused on improving
the lives of our shareholders beyond just dividends. Profits from
2017 $104,276,146 subsidiaries in the Lower 48 are being brought home to find energy,
cost of living, and housing solutions for rural Alaska and the residents
2016 $88,719,545 of TKC's Middle Kuskokwim region.
ANDREA GUSTY, PRES./CEO

2015 $86,423,567 4300 B St., Ste. 405
Anchorage, AK 99503
2019 Rank 38 kuskokwim.com
Change in info@kuskokwim.com
Revenue
from 2018
6% 907-243-2944

UDELHOVEN OILFIELD
39 SYSTEM SERVICES
SERVICES:
Mechanical and electrical inspection, functional check-out, quality
assurance/quality control, plumbing, welding, modular fabrication,
industrial, and commercial construction.
970
JIM UDELHOVEN , CEO

2018 $60,694,110 184 E. 53rd Ave.
Anchorage, AK 99518-1222
2017 $65,016,912 udelhoven.com
jfronteras@udelhoven.com
2016 $97,181,224 907-344-1577
2015 $148,746,045
2019 Rank 43
Change in
Revenue
from 2018
27%
In unity, we accomplish great things.

nana.com

CAPE FOX
40 CORPORATION
SERVICES:
Cape Fox Corporation added two more business acquisitions to
their Commercial group; 108 Tap House and Burger Bar providing
American cuisine and Bar Harbor Ale House, which boasts a modern
menu with a BBQ flair and craft drinks and beers.
2019 $76,800,000 YEAR ESTABLISHED IN ALASKA :

1 973
2018 $68,500,055 RECENT EVENTS:
Cape Fox Corporation opened two new restaurants, 108 Tap House
2017 $60,632,693 and Burger Bar and Bar Harbor Ale House. We are excited to bring
new kinds of dining experiences to Ketchikan with beautiful décors,
2016 $63,532,532 excellent food, and service. We offer a true Alaskan dining experience.
CHRIS LUCHTEFELD, CEO

2015 $65,471,442 PO Box 8558
Ketchikan, AK 99901
2019 Rank 39 capefoxcorp.com
Change in info@capefoxcorp.com
Revenue
from 2018
12% 907-225-5163
ONE STOP
• Full Service Men’s Store
• Fashion to Formal
• Casual to Business
• Shoes
• Personal Customer Service
• Big & Tall Available
• Best Quality & Value
Conveniently located
in the Midtown Mall,
Anchorage
907.274.7848 I stallonesmenswear.com
41 CREDIT UNION 1
SERVICES:
Credit Union 1 is a full-service financial institution known for its
low-cost loans, unique rewards program, community outreach,
and cutting-edge money management tools. We value accessible,
"people first" lending as one of our most vital community services.
952
2018 $66,501,606 RECENT EVENTS:

We’re always looking for better ways to serve our large and diverse
2017 $65,811,947 state, and in many ways, the pandemic has allowed us to evaluate
and innovate faster than ever before. For example, to provide
2016 $64,618,093 assistance to Alaska businesses in need, we are a program facilitator
for the AK CARES Grant Program.
2015 $60,879,254 JAMES WILEMAN , PRES./CEO
1941 Abbott Rd.
Change in cu1.org
Revenue
from 2018
4% membermail@cu1.org
907-339-9485
We Know the Slope…

AVIATION
and Beyond
For more than 60 years, Colville has been providing
essential supplies and services across the North
FUEL Slope. With a wide range of services including
aviation support, fuel supply and delivery, camp
services, solid waste management, industrial
and general store supplies, we know how to
TRANSPORT keep your operations running smoothly north
of the Arctic Circle.
INDUSTRIAL SUPPLY
SOLID WASTE
colvilleinc.com
907-659-3198 I toll free 888-659-3198 I fax 907-659-3190
CAMP SERVICES
GANA-A'YOO,
42 LIMITED
SERVICES:
Our principal activities include construction, roads and grounds
maintenance, camp and food services, and janitorial. We’ve
expanded our footprint to include work from Antarctica to
Afghanistan.
978
2018 $30,669,022 RECENT EVENTS:

We experienced record growth in 2019, more than doubling our
2017 - profitability. Shareholders received the largest dividend to date.
The corporation contributed $100,000 to the schools in our
2016 - communities, supporting the vision of investing in our people and
promoting healthy, thriving communities.
2015 - DENA SOMMER-PEDEBONE , CEO
1001 E. Benson Blvd., Ste. 201
2019 Rank - Anchorage, AK 99508
Change in ganaayoo.com
Revenue
from 2018
- info@ganaayoo.com
907-569-9599

AIRPORT EQUIPMENT
43 RENTALS
SERVICES:
Heavy-equipment rental/sales company providing sales, services,
and rentals for the construction, mining, logging, and oil and
gas industries. AER also provides a full line of products for the
homeowner/residential market.
2019 $59,531,000 YEAR ESTABLISHED IN ALASKA :
1 986
2018 $55,900,000 RECENT EVENTS:
AER has acquired all new semis, drop-decks, hook trucks, and triple-l
2017 $55,100,000 trailers to better service the safe delivery and pickup of equipment
across the rugged Alaska road system.
2016 $54,361,000
JERRY SADLER , OWNER/PRES .
2015 $75,624,000 1285 Van Horn Rd.
Fairbanks, AK 99707
2019 Rank 47 airportequipmentrentals.com
Change in aer@aer-inc.net
Revenue
from 2018
7% 907-456-2000

EVERTS AIR CARGO |

44 EVERTS AIR ALASKA
SERVICES:
Everts Air Cargo provides scheduled and charter air freight services
to domestic and international destinations using MD-80, DC-6,
and C-46 aircraft. Everts Air Alaska, based in Fairbanks, provides
passenger, freight, and charter service using PC12s and Caravans.
978
2018 $67,700,000 RECENT EVENTS:

In 2019, Everts Air Cargo installed a full motion MD-80 flight
2017 $63,800,000 simulator in its Fairbanks training facility. It was "requalified" by the
FAA National Simulator Program Manager and Everts pilots and
2016 $54,135,000 maintenance personnel are now able to train in it. It is one of two
operating in the world.
2015 $57,140,000 ROBERT EVERTS , CEO/OWNER
PO Box 61680
2019 Rank 40 Fairbanks, AK 99706
Change in EvertsAir.com
Revenue
from 2018
13% info@EvertsAir.com
907-450-2300
How to Profile Your Business

Profile in Alaska Business gives you a Because they read like editorial copy,
chance to control the narrative while you Business Profiles engage the audience
tell your story. You can write it yourself, and attract the attention of readers that
or we will connect you with a freelance may otherwise skim over advertising
writer with decades of business writing content.
experience to help you make a positive
influence for your business brand in an So what side of your business do you
interesting and natural way, all while want everyone to see? Strike a pose.
being useful to the reader. You can use Show us your profile.
By Christine Merki your Business Profile in whatever way that
Account Manager serves you best: highlight a new business
development, feature your new CEO,
W
ith the prevalence of smart- discuss a subsidiary, or talk about your
phones, most of us have iden- new location, or detail your company’s Christine Merki
tified our “best side.” You know: many accomplishments. 907-257-2911
cmerki@akbizmag.com
chin down, a slight turn of the head, bright
smile. But do you know the same for your Five Key Benefits of Investing in a Charles Bell
company? What is the profile of your Business Profile: 907-257-2909
business that you want the world to see? 1. Control the narrative cbell@akbizmag.com
2 Instant credibility Janis Plume
A Business Profile is essentially a corporate 3. Attract attention 907-257-2917
selfie: it gives our readers a snapshot of 4. Provide knowledge janis@akbizmag.com
who you are and what you do. A Business 5. Create marketing collateral
– SPO N S O R E D C O N T E N T–

SEEKINS FORD
45 LINCOLN
SERVICES:
New and used auto sales, parts, service, and body shop.
977
2019 $57,967,731 RECENT EVENTS:

Awarded Power Stroke Diesel Volume & Growth Top 50—In
recognition of achieving national Top 50 dealership status in Power
2018 $56,288,865 Stroke Diesel parts volume and growth.
2017 $58,946,067
RALPH SEEKINS , PRES.
2016 $52,554,917 1625 Seekins Ford Dr.
Fairbanks, AK 99701
2015 $69,690,934 seekins.com
sales@seekins.com
2019 Rank 45 907-459-4000
Change in
Revenue
from 2018
3%

ALASKA VILLAGE
46 ELECTRIC CO
COOPERATIVE
SERVICES:
Electric power to energize fifty-eight rural Alaska communities.
967
2019 $56,500,000 MEERA KOHLER , PRES./CEO

4831 Eagle St.
Anchorage, AK 99503
2018 $52,400,000 avec.org
mkohler@avec.org
2017 $46,500,000 907-561-1818
2016 $49,500,000
2015 $58,600,000
2019 Rank 48
Change in
Revenue
from 2018
8%
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Locally-owned and operated in Fairbanks, Alaska

47 VITUS ENERGY
SERVICES:
Fuel and freight sales in Alaska.
2019 $55,000,000 RECENT EVENTS:

Added five new locations.
2018
$64,000,000 JUSTIN CHARON , CEO
2017 113 W. Northern Lights Blvd., Ste. 200
$54,500,000 Anchorage, AK 99503
vitus-energy.com
2016 $55,000,000 sales@vitusmarine.com
907-278- 6700
2015
$63,000,000
2019 Rank 42
Change in
Revenue
from 2018
14%

CORNERSTONE
48 GENERAL CONTRACTORS
SERVICES:
General contracting utilizing collaborative project delivery methods
for new commercial construction and the precision renovation
of existing facilities for Alaska's leading academic, civic, industrial,
medical, non-profit, oil and gas, and private development
2019 $45,300,000 organizations.
993
2018 EMPLOYEES : 42 Worldwide/42 in Alaska
$25,000,000
RECENT EVENTS:
2017
$40,439,104 2020 1st Place in Safety Excellence, Associated General Contractors
of America (first in the nation to win this award two years in a row).
2016 $29,041,000 2019 1st Place in Safety Excellence, Associated General Contractors
of America; 9th consecutive Governor's Safety Excellence Award.
2015
$38,481,000 JOE JOLLEY, PRES.
4040 B St., Ste. 200
2019 Rank - Anchorage, AK 99503
Change in cornerstoneak.com
Revenue
from 2018
- ppantaleone@cornerstoneak.com
907-561-1993
GREAT
49 NORTHWEST
SERVICES:
Earthwork excavation.
EMPLOYEES : 250
1 976
Worldwide/250 in Alaska
2019 $38,000,000 RECENT EVENTS:

Great Northwest continues to maintain safe and efficient operations
2018 $58,000,000 while navigating the current economic downturn.
2017 $40,000,000 JOHN MINDER , CEO/PRES.

PO Box 74646
2016 $44,350,000 Fairbanks, AK 99707
grtnw.com
2015 $60,800,000 info@grtnw.com
907-452-5617
2019 Rank 44
Change in
Revenue
from 2018
34%

COMMERCE
COURAGE
C O R P O R AT I O
CREW
BRISTOL BAY NATIVE COMMITMENT
COMMUNITY
C U LT U R E
C A P I TA L
CLARITY
What does it mean to not only sustain, but inspire Alaska Business?
With 1,800 employees in Alaska working throughout our companies,
BBNC is committed to investing, strengthening, and promoting our region.
We stand together and strive for more, for our shareholders and for all of Alaska.
And we are always more than a corporation.
BBNCONNECT.COM
Mission,
Vision,
Values
How Gana-A’Yoo is creating
jobs and expanding services
By Tasha Anderson
Gana-A'Yoo
T
his is the first year that Gana- not something that the company wants government and industry clients;
A’Yoo has been ranked in the to rely on.” Yukon Management specializes in
Alaska Business Top 49ers; facilities management; and Six Mile,
the Alaska Native Village Corporation Diverse and Expanding Lines of with services that include waste
(ANC) jumped into the rankings with Business management, remediation, logistics,
2019 gross revenue of just under $62 Instead, most of Gana-A’Yoo’s project management, remote
million, which is more than double operations are in federal government
the gross revenue that Gana-A’Yoo contracting, though within that
earned in 2018. According to Gana- particular business line it provides a
A’Yoo CEO Dena Sommer-Pedebone, range of services. “We started with
this extraordinary one-year revenue camp and facility type work, and just
increase was possible because of the in the last five years or so have started
corporation’s vision of focusing on expanding into more construction and
long-term opportunities and building facility maintenance work,” Sommer-
relationships. “What happened in Pedebone says.
2018—as far as business development— Today Gana-A’Yoo has several
didn’t necessarily set the groundwork subsidiaries: Gana-A’Yoo Services
Gana-A'Yoo
for 2019; it was 2016 and 2017 and Corporation, in operation for more
the work that was being done that than two decades, provides food,
transposed over time that got us to janitorial, and administrative services;
where we are today.” Kaiyuh Services has more than twenty management, and facility support.
Sommer-Pedebone says the years of federal contracting experience Kaiyuh Services and Gana-A’Yoo
corporation’s board of directors is “very in construction, renovation, and facility Services Corporation were both
forward-thinking” and has long placed support services; Khotol Services highlighted in the Summer 2020 ’
an emphasis on long-term, sustainable Corporation focuses on project and (Gana-A’Yoo’s newsletter) for their
growth. “Our board recognized several construction management, facilities ongoing dedication during the
years ago that reliance on the natural support, and job order contracting; COVID-19 pandemic. These subsidiaries
resource revenues that many ANCs Kaiyuh Information Technologies provide janitorial services at military
receive was not going to be sustainable, delivers professional services, logistics, facilities in Wisconsin and Illinois,
so while we have that resource, that’s and technology solutions to the federal respectively, and adapted quickly and
efficiently to ensure the facilities they translated from Koyukon Athabascan.

serve remained safe for Gana-A’Yoo Sommer-Pedebone directly ties the
employees and military personnel. corporation’s success in business to its
Yukon Management is one of Gana- mission, vision, and values.
A’Yoo’s growing subsidiaries and The Gana-A’Yoo mission reads:
successfully executed two projects “We are a unique company and
recently. “Yukon completed a complex people, Tleeyegge Hūt’aané [which
of engineered retaining walls at a means ‘the people of the land’],
federally operated fish hatchery along thriving for thousands of years by
the banks of the Mississippi. This adapting to the environment."
project was self-performed by our “This whole notion of adaptability
own teams and provided a very good and being able to adapt to changes
Gana-A'Yoo
outcome for our customer,” Sommer- in our industry, changes in our
Pedebone reports. “Yukon also recently locations, changes in the staffing
completed the movement of an older structure, changes to leadership—
railcar used for training at a nearby US
Army installation. The car needed to
Believe in Alaska and

be lifted from its original position and
transported via truck to its new location
for repositioning. The car’s age and
other nuances made this a unique
situation, one that was carried out Win For Life!
safely and flawlessly.” She continues
to say that Yukon Management is
positioning itself for a strong future
in the facilities management industry
and is looking forward to specific
opportunities in that sector in the next
twelve months.
Six Mile is Gana-A’Yoo’s newest
subsidiary, acquired in 2019, in
part because of the company’s
expertise in the area of remote For nearly three decades, First National Bank Alaska has
waste management. Six Mile is a demonstrated their enduring belief in Alaska as ASAA’s valued
subcontractor for Leidos, which partner and Title Sponsor.
provides station support services for
the National Science Foundation’s The lives of nearly 300,000 student-athletes and activity participants
three stations and additional field
have been enriched and energized thanks to First National’s vital
support and the enthusiasm of hundreds of employee volunteers at
camps in Antarctica. Six Mile’s role
ASAA’s major events.
in the Antarctic includes camp and
food services, janitorial work, and
Sportsmanship. Teamwork. Commitment. Loyalty. Respect.
some construction.
These are just a few of life lessons and values that help our youth
Sommer-Pedebone explains that the grow, succeed, and win for life!
name Six Mile draws on Gana-A’Yoo’s
history: “We’re a people that live on the
river, so culturally that’s the reference
we would use to describe a place Thank you,
maybe between the villages, ‘Oh, that’s First National Bank Alaska.
Six Mile,’” she laughs.
We believe in you!
‘Mission, Vision, and Values’
Not surprisingly, Gana-A’Yoo is
guided today, as it has been since the
beginning, by the cultural values of its
people and region. The corporation
represents four villages—Galena, To join our team contact ASAA at 907-563-3723, or email: contactus@asaa.org
Koyukuk, Nulato, and Kaltag—whose
shareholders decided in 1978 to join
together to form Gana-A’Yoo, which
means “friends” or “friends together”
adaptability is something we’re very
good at,” she says.
Sommer-Pedebone continues to
say that the board and leadership
team rely on the corporation’s vision
to help guide their decision-making:
“We continually invest in our people
to promote healthy communities as
they thrive and prosper; we will make
strategic decisions for future growth—
targeted gross revenue, operating
profit, and return on investment; we will
Shareholder and Gana-A'Yoo employee
Gordon Reisland (second from the right) be a global company in diverse markets
works at McMurdo Station in Antarctica. with a balanced portfolio; we partner
Gana-A’Yoo with companies that share our values
and foster our tradition of excellence
in service to our customer; [and] we
continue to work and communicate
PROJECT MANAGEMENT • PROCUREMENT • FABRICATION guided by our values.”
CONSTRUCTION • MAINTENANCE • COMMISSIONING Sommer-Pedebone describes those
values by saying, “We are respectful of
our land, culture, language, traditions,
and one another; we are trustworthy,
we are responsible, we are transparent,
we are ethical.”
The company’s mission, vision, and
values have allowed it to distribute
regular shareholder dividends;
Investing in Alaska’s Future support the Gana-A’Yoo Foundation,
which provides scholarships to
shareholders and their descendants
who attend accredited colleges and
universities or trade, technical, or
vocational schools; and establish
the Gana-A’Yoo Settlement Trust
[approved by shareholders to
be a ANCSA Settlement Trust in
August], which will promote the
health, education, and welfare of
its beneficiaries. “Sustainability
and economic preservation for our
Serving our Industries in Oil & Gas, communities is always important,”
she says.
Mining, and Renewables Additionally, “In 2019 we were
able to take advantage of the Alaska
Education Tax Credit and we provided
each of our four village schools with
$25,000.” This is a substantial increase
over contributions that Gana-A’Yoo has
been able to make in the past. “It goes
such a long way,” she says. “It’s such a
feel-good to be able to do something
like that.”
351 E 104th Ave, Anchorage Alaska Compassion and

Communication
(907) 771-5800 Sommer-Pedebone, herself a
DELTACONSTRUCTORS.NET Gana-A’Yoo descendent, has been
the corporation’s CEO for about two
years, though her journey to the job
was in some ways atypical. “I wasn’t always been very communicative, but,

necessarily even looking for a position,” especially now in the last six months,
she says. “I’ve lived in Anchorage for increasing that communication and
the majority of my adult life, and so making sure that others know they can
the opportunity to work for my own reach out to me has been huge.”
region, my own village—while staying
here in Anchorage where I’m raising my Essential Employees
family—was just too good to be true.” Gana-A’Yoo is quite geographically
Gana-A'Yoo
But it was nearly the case that diverse, with subsidiaries, projects, and
Sommer-Pedebone missed hearing employees in Alaska and far beyond.
about the position entirely. “I’ve always While this diversity provides stability for
known that Gana-A’Yoo was my village the Native corporation, it’s also one of the biggest challenge for me.” With
corporation, but because I was a its obstacles, Sommer-Pedebone says. COVID-19 that challenge has only
descendent and not a shareholder I “Getting the whole team together for been exacerbated. “This has now been
wasn’t necessarily privy to shareholder strategy or annual planning has been the longest amount of time between
letters and checking the website daily,
so I didn’t know the job was going to
be posted. It was just by coincidence
I ran into some shareholders at a high
school basketball game and they told
me what was coming, and I thought to
myself that was something I could do
and kept an eye out for it.”
Now that she’s in the role, what
she enjoys most is that it’s a slightly
different job every day. “I’m always
learning; there’s always something
new, whether it be the type of work
that we’re doing or something that
I’m learning about the history of the
corporation and our shareholders,” she
says. “There’s just always something
new—it’s a learning environment.”
For Sommer-Pedebone, leadership is
rooted in compassion. “Remembering
that everybody has a story, and a
history, and a background, and being
cognizant of that when we make
business decisions—and any type of
decision—when it comes to employees
and your team, they’re multifaceted
individuals with many things going on.”
She also considers collaboration and
communication as essential elements
in strong leadership. “You have to be
collaborative with your team and have
those crucial conversations. At the
end of the day, we’re all in it for the
1,288 shareholders and descendants
that we’re serving,” she says. “I’ve
Gana-A'Yoo

our values and those are values that
they hold very similarly themselves,”
she reports.
Next Steps
According to Sommer-Pedebone,
Gana-A’Yoo is currently working to
build up its internal infrastructure
to better support its expanding
operations. “Support services—
meaning accounting, compliance, and
human resources—are typically two to
three years behind your operations as
far as what resources are needed,” she
says. While it may be typical for many
Gana-A'Yoo subsidiaries have secured millions of dollars in corporations, it’s not ideal, and “having
government contracts, including environmental remediation (top fewer people [than needed] several
left), dam restoration (top right), and habitat restoration (bottom). years ago was a huge challenge, and
Gana-A’Yoo still is.”
To that end, she says Gana-A’Yoo is
currently working on its behind-the-
scenes process to strengthen those
internal departments. “One of the
highlights of 2019 and 2020 is that our
board gave us the go-ahead to really
look at building the infrastructure we
need to be supportive [of our own
operations] and have sustainable
long-term growth. Recognizing that
building human capital, or bringing in
the resources that we need, definitely
visits that we’ve had… we’re making it are comfortable being in and want to increases your G&A [general and
work remotely, but sometimes it’s just come to work.” administrative expenses] and things like
that face-to-face collaboration that I That happens from the top down that, the board has still allowed us to do
think everybody needs every once in through a collaborative, open-door that,” Sommer-Pedebone says.
a while.” approach, she explains. “I know it Thus far the company’s business
Gana-A’Yoo has 250 employees sounds cliché, but anyone really can development team has grown from
working around the world “from approach the CEO or our VPs. We’ve one person to three; Gana-A’Yoo has
Antarctica to Alaska,” Sommer- just really emphasized a culture of hired four new project managers; one
Pedebone says. Before and throughout communication and transparency of the corporation’s general managers
COVID-19, she credits the company’s where employees feel like they have now has the support of an assistant
excellent managers and HR teams with a voice.” general manager; and the accounting
building and keeping open lines of To build and maintain department, in the last few months,
communication between employees communication with employees has added four positions. “It’s definitely
and corporation leadership. across the company as the COVID-19 been a lot of change.”
“We’ve implemented things like daily pandemic has developed, Sommer- While many of those jobs are in
huddles and have used technology Pedebone took it upon herself to Anchorage at the ANC’s headquarters,
to its fullest to make sure that we’re launch her “CEO Chronicles.” They’re many are Outside, as “we’ve recognized
connecting with everybody.” More routine updates in which she writes the need to put accounting people in
than just making sure everyone is on “things for employees to think about, different locations,” she says.
the same business page, she says it’s whether it be ‘Has your household Looking forward, Sommer-
also important to the corporation that started a new tradition during this Pedebone is optimistic for Gana-
employees can see and identify with its hunker-down phase?’ or ‘This is a A’Yoo and the state in general,
core values. story about my life.’” In a recent CEO despite the current difficult economic
“We recently hired an accounting and Chronicle communication, she asked environment. “Our state has so much
finance manager; we didn’t offer her as employees to think about “What is your opportunity,” Sommer-Pedebone says.
much as another potential employer, purpose?” or “What is your why?” “As a state we must continually invest
but she chose us,” Sommer-Pedebone “I was so impressed to see how for in our people and communities to
says. “And I think that speaks volumes many employees, their why—why Gana- make sure that we are successful and
to creating a workplace that employees A’Yoo—was because they appreciated will thrive and prosper."
Founded in 1953, MTA has grown and prospered amidst rapid change in technology
and communications, all while remaining focused firmly on the needs of the
Alaskans who make up our cooperative.
This year is no exception, and we’ve been proud to aid the residents and businesses
in our community throughout the COVID-19 crisis, all while moving forward with
historic projects like the AlCan ONE all-terrestrial fiber line, which will ensure
Alaskans’ connectivity and security for decades. We’ve also continued supporting
our future tech leaders through the MTA Foundation’s annual scholarships.
We’ve always made it our top priority to make the communities we serve a better
place to live and work, and we couldn’t be prouder of what we’ve accomplished and
what is yet to come.
mtasolutions.com
#AlaskaBornAndStayed
In Control
Delta Constructors balances
safety, productivity to punch
above its weight
By Danny Kreilkamp
The Mockingbird Compressor

Station in Texas.
Delta Constructors

W
hen Delta Constructors

onboards employees, the
company likes to use a simple “Our success is primarily due to leadership.
analogy to help illustrate expectations
of its newest team members.
“If you’ve ever played on a sports
And our growth is primarily due to
team,” President Dustin Cooper begins,
“then you know what it feels like when
leadership. It has everything to do with
everything is going right and everything
is falling into place—the training, who we are, what we’re about, and how we
preparation, and plans you’ve put
together are all working in your favor.”
“And you also know what it feels like
operate.”
when things start going against you,” he Dustin Cooper, President, Delta Constructors
continues. “When things are going well,
we call that, ‘Control of Work’; you’re in
control of your work, you’re in control
of your team, manpower, equipment,
materials, and workspace.”
And lately, things have certainly felt
right for the industrial contracting
company. Having only been around for a
little over a decade, Delta Constructors’
rapid growth has cemented it as a Top
49ers regular; the construction firm has
made the ranks for the past five years
running while reporting comparable
revenues to companies more than
twice its size.
In 2019, the multi-service powerhouse
posted revenues of $214,838,000—a
more than 20 percent increase from the
previous year.
Rapid Expansion
Delta Constructors started out as a
general support services contractor
for the oil and gas industry, providing
Land
carpentry and facility services to remote
camps on the North Slope. Since then,
or sea...
the company has grown to more
than 700 employees and expanded
its offerings to provide a variety of
critical services to all segments of the
At home
oil and gas and mining industries—with
self-performed construction, project
management, and commissioning
or heading to work...
services all within its capabilities.
Cooper says a good way to
envision Delta Constructors’ efforts
in the upstream segment is to think
WE’VE GOT YOU COVERED.

of everything involved from “the
ground up,” explaining that as a
facilities contractor the company
doesn’t typically build the gravel
pad itself. A large part of its efforts
Fine Fuels, Super Service, Quality Lubricants PETRO 49
in this area are focused on drill pad companies
and production facility installation—
critical infrastructure for oil and gas petromarineservices.com
development projects.
As for its midstream efforts, a tagline involved in these diverse, wide-ranging safely and being as productive as you
on its website claims the company projects come from every corner of can be,” Cooper says. “You can achieve
can serve any midstream need, the continent, attracting some of the both. A lot of people believe that people
“from pipelines and storage tanks to most capable and skilled workers in the who preach safety don’t really believe
compressor stations and infrastructure.” industry. Of its roughly 700 employees you can be safe and productive, that
And while primarily focused on worldwide, more than one quarter there’s risks you have to take or corners
upstream and midstream segments are based in Alaska. And in addition to you have to cut. And we really don’t
of the oil and gas industry, Delta supplementing its team with top-class believe that.
Constructor’s mining industry services talent, Delta Constructors prides itself “When you’re competent about what
include new facility construction, on developing its own. you’re doing, you’re more confident,
as well as remodeling and repairs to you’re more capable—and we can
existing infrastructure. No Exceptions to Safety deliver more value to our client.”
On the electrical side of things, The importance of the sports The company gives every employee
the company performs all its own team analogy, Cooper says, is that the right to stop work at any time
distribution, instrumentation, and it helps employees develop the for any reason, and not only is it
controls and automation. A few years ability to recognize when things are acceptable—it is encouraged. Cooper
ago, Delta Constructors added its going right—or when they aren’t— explains that part of what happens
own commissioning division—Delta and confidently apply those feelings with new hires, or “short-service”
Commissioning Services, led by General to their decision-making processes employees as he calls them, is that
Manager Mark White, which Cooper in what are often highly hazardous they are still gaining experience and
says has been another successful piece work environments. This dedication are not necessarily comfortable or
to its evolving business model. to developing, and trusting in, aware of all the hazards facing them
To date, the company has completed employee decision making is a major in the workplace.
projects in Alaska, North Dakota, part of Delta Constructors’ success, “You won’t be able to point to
Montana, Wyoming, New Mexico, Texas, according to Cooper. the policy or procedure or what the
Louisiana—and even a few projects “When you’re operating that way, you problem actually is, but you will be able
in the Gulf of Mexico. The tradesmen strike this balance between working to feel it. And you’ll know when things
c c e p t ing
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Dakota.
Delta Constructors
start falling apart well before they fall

apart. So what we ask our guys is that
when you start feeling that, that is when
you use your stop-of-work—to stop, pull
back, and collect the team, and then
use those resources available,” Cooper
says, adding that every employee is
given a pocket HSE&Q (health, safety,
environment, and quality) handbook
outlining company policies, procedures,
and best practices.
“All of these resources are tools for
helping us get back on track when we
lose our way… there’s no repercussions,
there’s no hazing that goes along with
it—we all want to go home at the end
of the day.”
Good Leadership Is No
Accident
Cooper explains that one of the
biggest challenges facing a company
that’s experiencing such rapid growth—
and a challenge facing the construction
industry as a whole—is being able
to secure capable skilled labor and
leadership.
One way Delta Constructors has
combatted this issue is through
placing its faith in an ownership
group that possesses decades of
collective experience.
“Our success and our growth is
primarily due to leadership. The
leaders we have at the top of our
company like Nate Andrews, Rick
Hyce, Cecil Dale, Mark White, and
Josh Lonas, among many others, set
the tone for who we are, what we’re
about, and how we operate,” Cooper
says. “They’ve done an amazing job
in developing and training the next
group of people to be able to take on
these challenging projects and these
challenging times, and to be able
to do it all safely where everyone’s
coming home every day.”
Cooper also believes this leadership
is to thank for the company’s ability to
retain its employees. “We have a really
low turnover—I think part of that is a
testament to our company culture and
our commitment to trying to make
the most out of the individuals. And
leading in a way where we meet every
individual employee where they’re
at, consistently challenge them, and
try to create new opportunities for
young people to take on additional
responsibility and step up,” he says,
noting employees are often given
multiple chances in different positions
to maximize their success.
“It’s great that as we’ve grown we
haven’t lost that feel of the team. We
have lots of people that have worked
here for seven, eight, nine years,” says
Cooper, who himself has been with the
company since its inception, stepping
into his current role of president in
December of 2019.
Quality, Reliability, and Tubing work performed by

Humility Delta Constructors on a high
In addition to safety and leadership, pressure tubing manifold.
Delta Constructors puts quality at Delta Constructors
the forefront.
“We are driven to deliver the quality producing a quality product is part of Cooper is as gracious as he is humble,
that should be expected from a being a professional contractor.” as evidenced by the Delta Constructors
professional contractor,” he says. “We On other values the company president’s parting message to the
look at our trades and the work that we holds, Cooper points to dependability Alaska business community:
do as a profession—not just a job.” and reliability, as well as one other “I really just want to thank our clients
“Look at the tubing work by Raul ingredient that has contributed to the and let them know how much we
Castro Jr. and Sr.,” he continues, company’s success. appreciate them for putting their trust
emphasizing the skill and competency “I think humility is one of the important in us—and how grateful we’ve been for
of the Delta Constructors tradesmen. things about us where we’ve been the opportunities to be able to work on
“Doing it to the best of our ability and really successful,” Cooper says. But these projects.”
Strengthening People,
Culture, and Homelands
Sealaska is guided by the wisdom of our ancestors to empower the
next generation of leaders to strengthen our communities.
Sealaska.com @sealaskacorporation @sealaska @sealaskacorp

Nome Sweet Nome

Sitnasuak and its new CEO see steady
growth and stability amid a pandemic
By Arie Henry
H
istorically, as far as disease goes, health services administration and
Nome is no stranger. Between planning from the University of Hawai’i.
1918 and 1919, the influenza He then went on to earn an executive
pandemic claimed nearly 50 percent of MBA in health administration from the
the Alaska Native population in Nome. University of Colorado before returning
And most Alaskans recall the legendary to Alaska to take on roles at the Alaska
exploits of Balto and Togo and the role Native Tribal Health Consortium and,
dog teams played in medicine delivery most recently, as the health director at
to the same village in 1925, when the the Aleutian Pribilof Islands Association.
deadly diphtheria epidemic nearly In addition to his lengthy academic
devastated the community again. and professional merits, Fagerstrom
Now, a century later, a modern-day brings with him a personal heritage
pandemic is being faced by modern- deeply rooted in the corporation. Not
day leadership, particularly by the Nome only was his late uncle a past corporation
region’s Sitnasuak Native Corporation president, his father was one of
(SNC). And even though new CEO Sitnasuak’s original 1973 incorporators
Charles Fagerstrom assumed the role in following the enactment of ANCSA and
February, just a month before Alaska’s served as the corporation’s president
businesses began hunkering down from 2011 to 2015.
en masse, his background makes him “I’m really blessed in a way,”
uniquely qualified for the tasks at hand. Fagerstrom says of his full circle
To begin with, Fagerstrom’s is a career journey. “It’s getting back to my roots
immersed in healthcare. After earning and serving the people I grew up with.
his bachelor’s degree in business And being a shareholder, I feel very
Andy Kazie | iStock
finance from Seattle Pacific University, intrinsically motivated to do well.”

he spent some time with Norton Sound While his welcome into the
Regional Hospital before venturing corporation and the onset of the
south to earn a master’s degree in pandemic are of course not related,
bringing in a leader so well-versed in

healthcare administration is a particular
asset these days. And when it comes
to the logistics and business affairs Alaska Native Corporation * 8(A) Certified Small Business
associated with the field, Fagerstrom Hubzone Certified * Small Disadvantaged Business
Certified Minority Business Entities * Small Business Owner
has always had affinity for them.
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and get more involved on the business
end of things, and one thing led to
another.”
One thing certainly did lead to another,
but not exactly as planned. For anyone
entering a new position, let alone one
overseeing an entire corporation with
subsidiaries as far away as Puerto Rico, STRENGTHENING
Alaska
the onboarding process comes with a
learning curve to comfortably adjust
to a new business environment. When
a pandemic dramatically changes the
way a company runs, that learning
curve is accelerated.
“You have to be a quick study,”
Fagerstrom says of his first few Through hard work and determination,
weeks. “There was not a whole lot of Arctic Slope Regional Corporation has
orientation. Luckily, I had been on the
[Sitnasuak] board previously, so I had a
grown into the largest Alaskan-owned
good understanding of our capabilities and operated company – employing
and the businesses that we are in. So thousands of Alaskans while providing
definitely, it was a deep dive, and you’re
not talking about doing visionary work
lasting benefits to our shareholders,
and planning—you’re getting right opportunities for our communities
into the details to understand what and helping to power the state’s
impact this pandemic will have on your
business.”
economy.
Despite the immediate demands
placed on him, Fagerstrom’s leadership We are proud of the contributions
has been lauded by the corporation we’ve made to Alaska, and look
for more than his capabilities in the
forward to continued growth
world of healthcare; his business savvy
has contributed to the corporation’s and success as one of Alaska’s
financial stability and growth amid leading businesses.
uncertain times.
Span and Scope

Sitnasuak’s holdings span a variety
of industries that include fuel service
in Northwest Alaska; financial and title
services in Southcentral Alaska and
Fairbanks; residential and commercial
real estate businesses in Anchorage, the
asrc.com
Mat-Su Valley, and Nome; and tactical
apparel manufacturing in Puerto Rico.
Closest to home, Bonanza Fuel
2020 TOP 49ERS SPECIAL SECTION Inside SNCTS' Puerto Rico manufacturing facility,
which has since been reconfigured to accommodate
employee safety amid the pandemic.
Sitnasuak Native Corporation
SNCTS Puerto Rico facility.

Sitnasuak Native Corporation
provides fuel storage and transports Express is especially known for providing Technical Services (SNCTS). The
energy products including heating oil, freshly brewed coffee—a downright wholly-owned subsidiary is one of the
diesel, gasoline, and propane in Nome necessity in a subarctic community. largest American producers of uniforms
and the surrounding road-accessible Nome Outfitters, which Sitnasuak and related tactical gear for the US
area as far as Teller. According to the acquired through Bonanza Fuel in 2019, Department of Defense.
company, Bonanza recently expanded of specializes in subarctic necessities “We’ve been slowly building and
its bulk fuel terminal at the Port of ranging from hunting, fishing, camping, investing organically within the business
Nome to a capacity of 5.9 million and other outdoor recreation products and have been able to provide a great
gallons, allowing marine vessels to to kitchen appliances, televisions, track record of performance to the
receive and deliver fuel during ice-free and cellphones (all of which can be federal government,” says Fagerstrom.
summer months. In fact, Fagerstrom delivered throughout the community “And so we have a great track record
says the company is looking into more free of charge). and provide a great, quality product,
infrastructure investments at the port Sitnasuak’s Southcentral holdings and we’re building on that integrity and
in the future that include logistics and include financial and title services, performance. We’re improving our sales
basic support to help create a deeper in addition to a real estate portfolio. on a year-to-year basis, and it’s been a
draft and allow for more traffic up and The umbrella subsidiary, Sitnasuak very successful model.”
down the port’s corridor, which could Financial Services, comprises the Fagerstrom says SNCTS has added
result in more economic opportunities Fidelity Title Agency of Alaska (which new products recently such as
for Sitnasuak shareholders and the also has a branch in Fairbanks) and duffle bags, military uniforms, and
community at large. At the same Mat-Su Title Agency. chemical protective clothing. The
time, those conversations continue Acquired several years ago, organization has also expanded into
to emphasize a key corporate value: Fagerstrom cites positive activity law enforcement products. He also
environmental stewardship. Fagerstrom in the corporation’s financial and points to a commercial line of SNCTS
notes that Sitnasuak projects, in Nome title businesses: “We’ve grown the products the company has developed
and beyond, are developed only after financial services. Luckily in the last and grown in order to build upon the
the environmental and ecological year, in terms of some blessings that goal of diversifying.
health of the community and region come out of the pandemic, interest Another point of pride for
have been carefully considered. rates are at very low levels. Right now Fagerstrom and SNCTS is the Puerto
“I think the key thing is partnering. it’s creating a lot of refinancing, and Rico operation’s ability to adapt to
There are a lot of entities in Nome and so businesses in our financial sector the immediate demand for personal
we definitely have to be aligned as far in terms of title and escrow services protective equipment (PPE). He
as our approach to duplicating efforts,” have been improving. So those are explains that SNCTS was able to quickly
he adds. doing well in the short term and we reconfigure its plants and operations
The Bonanza brand name also hope that will continue.” to produce PPE while also ensuring
extends into retail operations through Around the same time that Sitnasuak the safety of its own employees in the
Bonanza Express, a Nome-based gas/ ventured into the financial services workplace.
diesel station and convenience store. realm, it also expanded into tactical “We’re very, very nimble, so we took
According to Sitnasuak, Bonanza apparel with the addition of SNC advantage of that.”
Panorama of a small bridge on Jafet Drive connecting the Port Road and Seppala Drive in Nome.
Ruben Ramos | iStock
Successful Strategy what their role is and to highlight that so

The ability to adjust to a changing someone has that intrinsic motivation
“We have plans to business environment is a positive result to succeed.”
of effective strategy, a pursuit ingrained
diversify into different in Sitnasuak’s philosophy. Serving and Supporting
Fagerstrom explains that the It’s important to remember that
sectors, but we do corporation doesn’t seek to grow just

for the sake of growing. Sitnasuak’s
one distinguishing aspect of ANCSA
corporations is that their business
leadership carefully analyzes the culture is directly informed by the
know that we need to financial potential of a prospective Indigenous cultural identity of their
acquisition, while also monitoring the shareholders. Accordingly, Sitnasuak’s
do our due diligence performance of all its holdings. “We mission statements and company
have plans to diversify into different values transcend anything to do
and be smart… Our sectors, but we do know that we need

to do our due diligence and be smart,”
with the conventional bottom line.
The traditional values and ethical
says Fagerstrom. So far, the corporation beliefs of the Iñupiaq, Yup’ik, and St.
businesses are strong has garnered its best successes by Lawrence Island Yup’ik cultures of the
investing in established businesses Bering Strait are the very foundation
and we want to build (versus looking to the startup arena as upon which Sitnasuak bases its
a means of growth). “Our businesses corporate culture. So what does that
upon them and make are strong and we want to build upon
them and make them more efficient
entail, specifically? One look at the
corporation’s list of cultural values
and effective. We have to grow either confirms the same ones Fagerstrom
them more efficient horizontally or vertically—we’ll do so in has mentioned in Sitnasuak’s
an incremental fashion.” business practices: cooperation,
and effective. We For example, Sitnasuak is considering patience, responsibility, and open
vertically integrating SNCTS’ Puerto communication are just a few.
have to grow either Rico operations to positively impact

supply chain logistics. Other business
And as Alaska Native culture drives
the business decisions of a Native
lines include the aforementioned Port corporation, the success of that
horizontally or of Nome prospect, a location in which corporation in turn helps further the
Sitnasuak is already a stakeholder culture. The most common result of the
vertically—we’ll do through Bonanza Fuels and land equation is in the form of shareholder
ownership. dividends, but Sitnasuak also leverages
so in an incremental Leadership styles factor heavily into

how a strategy is formed. Fagerstrom’s
benefits like educational scholarships to
shareholders and cultural maintenance
own approach can be distilled down to projects in the Nome region.
fashion.” two important themes: communication It’s something that Fagerstrom looks
and elevation. forward to continuing as he helps steer
Charles Fagerstrom
CEO
“I’m all about team management, Sitnasuak through the pandemic and
Sitnasuak Native Corporation working together, and having a solid into the future. “It’s exciting just to be
team on the same page,” he says. “It’s part of—working and actually seeing the
instilling in all of our leadership and staff results of our decisions, from a business
that ‘line of sight’ so you know what sense, be profitable, and where that
you’re doing and what impact that has profit goes and how that benefits our
on our people. I like to make people shareholders and contributes back to
more conscious of what they do and our community… It’s very powerful.”
T R A N S P O R TAT I O N
Heavy Haul Logistics

Getting big machines to remote locations
requires collaboration, coordination
By Vanessa Orr
Yukon Equipment

I
t’s often a challenge to move items well as for providing a range of
to, from, and around Alaska. That other manufacturers’ equipment to
challenge is multiplied when the customers both on and off the road
item in question is the size of a small system. The State of Alaska, the US
building. And when the final destination Army Corps of Engineers, and oil and
isn’t even on the road system, it takes a gas infrastructure supply companies,
lot of collaboration, as well as logistics among others, count on the company’s
expertise, to get items where they ability to shift as conditions change.
need to go. “We have the knowledge, facilities,
“Delivering and servicing equipment and expertise to handle whatever
on the road system is challenging logistics are needed,” says Sadler.
enough, but at remote sites, the “We are a family owned company
logistical challenges are humungous,” with a very direct management style,
says Jerry Lee Sadler, manager of which enables our ownership to make
Airport Equipment Rentals (AER). “Only decisions on the fly. If we know that
a very small percentage of Alaska is we need a new piece of operational
accessible by road; it’s easy for those equipment to improve the safety and
of us living in Anchorage and Fairbanks reliability of our services, we can make
to forget that we’re just a teeny fraction the decision that day and get it coming.”
of the state. So much of the state’s
business, infrastructure, and logistics By Land, Air, and Sea
happen out of sight from the majority There’s no easy way to get things
of the population.” to Alaska, especially if the destination
doesn’t happen to be near a road.
The Bigger, The Better? When bringing in John Deere
In a state dependent on natural equipment, for example, AER first
resource exploration and excavation— contracts with a trucking company,
as well as state, federal, and military such as Big Sky Trucking, Evergreen
construction work—there’s a big call Heavy Haul, or Span Alaska, to ship the
for equipment that can handle harsh goods from Moline to a TOTE facility
conditions and remote locations. in the Port of Seattle. From there, the
According to Charles Klever, equipment is barged to Anchorage,
president of Yukon Equipment, where AER trucks it to their location, or,
customers buy or rent everything if it is too large, contracts with another
from general construction equipment company, like Specialized Transport &
and road snowblowers to street Rigging (STR), to haul it on a specially
sweepers, vacuum trucks, and trailers. made trailer.
The company, which has branches “Some really large equipment, like
in Anchorage, Wasilla, and Fairbanks, excavators, may need to be broken
provides equipment to customers down into smaller components before
along the road system, as well as we can move them,” says Sadler, giving
delivers items to Alaska villages and the example of a 188,000-pound 870G
Bush communities. excavator that had to be transported in
“A lot of times dealers think that it’s three separate pieces.
too much work to make the effort to Equipment headed to Fairbanks
reach remote sites when they make up is often put on the Alaska Railroad
only 10 to 20 percent of your business,” for shipment, though AER will also
says Klever. “It takes a real investment in haul it if the company has an empty
people and money to do it. truck that needs to be returned to
“But it’s part of our mission statement,” the Fairbanks branch. The dealer
he continues, noting that Yukon is a also moves items to the North Slope
subsidiary of Calista Corporation. “We through outsourcing or will drive the
are here to enhance the benefits of the Haul Road when trucks and drivers are
region and remote Alaska, and we’ve available within the company.
dedicated the personnel and effort to Once there, the customer may put
doing that.” the item on a rolligon (a flatbed with
Yukon Equipment
As the John Deere dealer for bubble-like tires) to traverse the tundra
Alaska, AER is responsible for getting or use a hovercraft or some other form
the company’s main product line of landing craft to transport it to remote
from Moline, Illinois to Alaska, as sites like Northstar Island.
A Case wheel loader, one of the pieces of equipment
that requires special handling to get it to remote areas.
Yukon Equipment
“Delivering and servicing equipment on the road system is challenging

enough, but at remote sites, the logistical challenges are humungous. Only
a very small percentage of Alaska is accessible by road; it’s easy for those
of us living in Anchorage and Fairbanks to forget that we’re just a teeny
fraction of the state. So much of the state’s business, infrastructure, and
logistics happen out of sight from the majority of the population.”
Jerry Lee Sadler, Manager, Airport Equipment Rentals

(Top) AER employees in Old Harbor and Tope Transportation; depending on working together to figure out how to
(bottom) an AER Pilatus Workhorse. the haul, some are more competitive break it down right in our shop.
Airport Equipment Rentals than others.” “These types of trips can be quite
Massive machinery can even be involved and quite expensive,” he
moved by air, though this also requires adds. “The hauling costs more than
taking things apart. the machine, but they have to have it.
“A few years ago, we shipped a They’ll pay what it takes to get it there.”
43,000-pound grader with Lynden on
their Herc, but we had to remove the New Day, New Challenge
cab of the equipment to get it to fit,” As expected, moving huge
says Sadler. “Once we got the specs, we equipment around the state comes
figured out a way to squeeze it in there.” with its fair share of logistical
After winning a bid to transport challenges, including the need to be
replaceable cutting edges to remote aware of evolving weight restrictions.
sites around Alaska, AER used its own “Depending on what restrictions
Pilatus PC-12, a Swedish turboprop are in place for where we’re trying to
aircraft, to get the parts to the send a shipment, we may be looking
customers. “We were able to pull all the at reduced axle loads on trailers, which
seats out of the airplane and flip open means that a trailer that used to haul a
the big rear door to slide the whole 100,000-pound machine is now only
pallet into the back,” says Sadler. legally allowed to haul a 25,000-pound
“One of the questions we ask machine,” says Sadler.
“Large, specialty pieces are the most our customers is, ‘Is this machine This forces the company to plan
difficult to move, so we don’t try to Hercable?’” says Klever. “Sometimes you ahead, moving as much equipment
do it ourselves because you can get can take a cab off to make equipment as possible while the ground is still
in trouble if you’re not equipped for more transportable, and sometimes it’s frozen. “We may take the equipment
it,” says Klever. “We use heavy-haul just too big. We probably Herc out one to a customer’s job site two months
contractors that specialize in that area or two pieces a month, with the logistics before they need it or before the rental
like STR, Jimmy Johnson Trucking, and manager and our service department period starts,” says Sadler. “Having the
Alaska’s premier cold storage, deep-water

marine terminal and logistics services
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One of the larger equipment pieces
that Yukon barged to a remote site this
year was a Vactor HXX truck.
Yukon Equipment
forethought to get equipment to the

site before weight restrictions hit is Heavy equipment at work in Eklutna.
definitely always a challenge. The Conservation Fund | Airport Equipment Rentals
“Each year, these restrictions can
come earlier or happen later or be
extended, and in some areas, they
might completely change,” he adds.
“The only thing that is consistent is to the trailer to keep the equipment
that there are going to be weight from freezing while riding for hours at
restrictions—and they can make or highway speed.”
break a customer’s job.” And even if the weather and the roads
Because it’s Alaska, shippers also are perfect, there’s the issue of having
must be skilled at traversing all the right product in stock for the right
types of weather—with contingency price—especially during a pandemic.
plans in place. “Truck drivers face Demand for different equipment
avalanches, tight berms, frost heaves, changes from year to year, and it’s up to used water trucks don’t just appear,” he
and potholes the size of small cars,” suppliers to not only predict what will adds. “We’ve had to work hard to find
says Sadler. “You have to be prepared be needed but find it, get it to Alaska, companies in the Lower 48 who are
for it all.” and make it affordable. putting tanks on trucks that used to be
He adds that it’s important to know “This year, we’ve had a big demand used for deliveries or hauling, because
how to treat equipment in double-digit for equipment from villages that are that makes them more affordable.”
negative temperatures as well. mostly off the road system,” says Yukon has an employee specifically
“Because we have facilities across Klever. “Whether the economy is dedicated to working with the 220
the state, we are generally able to driving this, possibly through stimulus small towns and villages throughout
store equipment fully loaded on or other money, we’ve seen a big the state to talk to them about their
semi-trailers inside large warehouses increase for water trucks, as well as equipment needs. “Jeanie Gusty is our
or tents, so that when we leave the regular construction equipment like point person; she finds out what they’re
next day, everything has had a good wheel loaders, skid steer loaders, and looking for, what their budget is, when
chance to thaw,” he says. “If we have backhoe loaders. they need the equipment delivered,”
to, we’ll drive a few hundred miles with “Some villages want new water says Klever, who adds that Gusty, from
a piece of equipment sitting on a trailer trucks and some want them used, so Stony River, often speaks Yup'ik on
running or strap an auxiliary heater we’ve had to develop these markets— these calls.
Two Tucker Terra Exploration SnowCats are
pre-heated before being pulled off the trailer
in Deadhorse.
Airport Equipment Rentals
A Case CTL needs to be broken down before it

can fit on a Herc for delivery.
Yukon Equipment
“As a logistics manager, she is quite

fluent in finding out what barges are
going where and in arranging delivery
throughout western Alaska, and,
working together, we coordinate the
process involved in equipment sales
and logistics to help villages acquire
much-needed equipment,” he adds. A crane at work at Eklutna.
It’s a challenge to meet the barge Airport Equipment Rentals | Eklutna Inc.
schedule and then also work with all

the different entities to make sure that or to get money together, and I can’t According to Klever, one of the
the equipment is paid for and delivered tell you how many times that a grant biggest challenges this year has been
on time. gets approved and we only have a finding inventory. “The COVID crisis
“While we deliver equipment year- short period of time to get a particular cut manufacturing back and now
round, there’s obviously a much piece of equipment to a specific spot, there are equipment shortages in the
bigger demand when the barges start at a specific time, at a set amount of market,” he says. “If someone needs a
running,” says Klever. “A lot of times money. All sorts of puzzle pieces have machine today and we don’t have it,
villages are trying to get grants in place to come together.” we refer them to another dealership
Yukon Equipment has seen increased demand for
both new and used water trucks this year, which means
searching for difficult-to-find inventory.
Yukon Equipment
“The COVID crisis cut manufacturing back and now there are equipment
shortages in the market. If someone needs a machine today and we don’t
have it, we refer them to another dealership who might have it. Everybody
is covering for everybody.”
Charles Klever, President, Yukon Equipment
who might have it. Everybody is or bringing pieces of the equipment the transmission. Later that week, we
covering for everybody. back in. had to fly another transmission from
“There was a huge demand for “Two years ago, we had a Fairbanks to Kodiak and install it. But
water trucks a month ago; I delivered transmission go out in a D10 ‘dozer we had them up and running within
five to villages, and now I have three in on Kodiak Island, and it weighed a week.
the yard,” he adds. “It’s hard to figure about 1,000 pounds,” says Sadler. “We’ve worked with miners deep out
out what to bring in, what to order “From Fairbanks, we had to fly to in the Alaska Range who were only
new or used, and what inventory will pick up a mechanic in Anchorage, accessible during certain times of the
meet demand. If I don’t have it, I can’t fly them to Kodiak Island, remove the winter for us to take equipment in and
deliver it.” transmission, load it on a pallet, put it out,” he adds. “It’s tough to manage
Even after the sale is made, machinery in the back of our Pilatus, fly back to the servicing of your equipment when
still needs maintenance, and in many Anchorage to drop off the mechanic, you’ve got to take boats and planes and
cases that means flying mechanics out and then fly to Fairbanks and offload four-wheelers just to get there.”
T R A N S P O R TAT I O N
Above and Beyond

The ins-and-outs of multimodal and the
transportation industry’s dedication to the
customer
By Danny Kreilkamp
Lynden

T
ransportation and logistics
providers are constantly
balancing a customer’s need
for a timely and cost-effective shipping
solution, while also considering
the different modes of transport
available to move items from origin to
destination. This is particularly true in
the case of those providers offering
multimodal solutions in Alaska, where
geographic factors regularly influence
the planning process.
Reflecting on the transportation
industry’s evolution to offer combined, Weekly* Sailings From Seattle Call On:
complex shipping options, Saltchuk’s
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using different modes of transportation
to move cargo,” Karp says. “But you Chignik Larsen Bay
could also look at multimodal in terms of
the companies we have here in Alaska, Cold Bay Port Moller
which offer more vertical integration.”
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& Barge cater to its marine needs;
Northern Air Cargo its aviation; with
Carlile initially focused on land-based
operations, then expanding to include
a logistics piece in its business model.
“Carlile’s logistics team can get
anything anywhere,” he says. “They’re
a group of people who are focused on
movement of freight, not just trucking
of freight. Obviously, if there’s a
trucking component, they’ll try to use
their own assets.” But Karp is quick
to point out that even though Carlile
occasionally enjoys the benefits
associated with vertical integration,
there isn’t a company mandate in
place that requires Carlile Logistics
to draw on its family of transport
companies. “We’re like a Swiss Army
Knife in a lot of ways; you can use
the whole thing and do everything or
just use certain blades to get certain
things done.”
Karp also notes that companies don’t
necessarily need to own the various
ships, planes, and trucks doing the
heavy lifting.
“A lot of logistic providers are non-
asset based—they’re called NVOCCs
[non-vessel operating common
Lynden’s hovercraft are used to deliver
supplies to villages along the Kuskokwim
River in Western Alaska, and to transport
cargo and personnel on the North Slope.
Lynden
carriers]—they don’t own ships, they A number of factors such as time, the customer, the company can
don’t own trucks, they just facilitate price, and the size of the items in then start piecing together different
the movement of goods on other question need to be taken into options, leveraging a variety of shipping
people’s things. They’re the owner’s consideration. And one of Alaska’s methods and sometimes drawing on
representative of the cargo. largest multimodal transport and its own family of company assets.
“Some think of it like a travel agent logistics providers believes that it all In addition to barge, truck, and air
of cargo; they find out what the origin starts with an honest, open dialogue options, some of the more unique
is, the destination, the O&D pair, they between the customer and the provider factors in Lynden’s logistics equation is
map the trip out for that cargo, and they tasked with moving the product. specialized equipment like PistenBully
use whatever mode of transportation is “The customer is always challenging snowcats and Hovercrafts that help the
most cost effective or most expedient us to do things better,” says Alex company traverse some of the state’s
depending on what they [customers] McKallor, Lynden’s executive VP and more difficult terrain.
are looking for.” COO. “We recognize in the long run “PistenBullys are essentially like
This is, as Karp frames it, an industry we’re better off by providing the better a snowcat at a ski area that allow us
obsessed with serving the customer— solution for the customer—even if it to drag truckloads of freight over
by whatever means possible. doesn’t involve what we do.” the snow,” he explains. “It’s a great
Initially, McKallor explains, the alternative to more expensive options
It Starts with Communication company broke into the Alaska market such as flying.”
Consider the path that a shipment of through trucking with the establishment And if there was ever a multimodal
pharmaceuticals might take, departing of the Alcan highway in the ‘50s, adding mascot, it would probably be
Los Angeles and destined for a remote marine capabilities in the ‘80s and then Lynden’s Hovercrafts which are able
community in Bush Alaska. While it air capabilities in the ‘90s. And having to navigate land, water, ice, and
may seem that the simplest solution amassed its own extensive family sand—carrying up to 12,500 pounds
would be to place the medications in a of companies, Lynden’s multimodal of freight in the process.
box, slap a “fragile” sticker on the side, transport and logistic efforts have grown Lately, McKallor says, the company’s
and load it into the back of a C-130— to serve small and large communities driving force has been to figure out how
the answer on how to best move throughout every region of the state. to best make all its various transportation
freight to and from Alaska isn’t always Once Lynden determines one of mediums work seamlessly, especially
immediately clear. its various services is a good fit for for the customer.
“It’s something we have a lot of
SEATAC MARINE SERVICES

experience with,” he continues, “and
what’s interesting is that each of
these modes have some physical and
regulatory requirements that make it
particularly challenging… so you have
to have all the right things lined up the
right way or you’re not gonna get there.”
Carlile’s VP of Freight Operations John
Armstrong agrees that communication
is key. “The customer doesn’t see those
moving parts; what they see from
us is a very consistent approach and
a very consistent status update and
communication infrastructure.”
Philosophy Drives Strategy

With so many moving parts and
pieces, being able to track and
synchronize a company’s processes
across different transportation
platforms is the customer expectation
and the industry standard.
Armstrong believes technology has
MARINE TERMINAL  BARGE TRANSPORTATION
come a long way in facilitating these BULK LOGISTICS  CARGO OPERATIONS
functions. 6701 Fox Avenue, South Seattle, WA 98108
“I’ve been doing this for thirty-five Tel: 206-767-6000 Fax: 206-767-6015
years; I’ve seen it all the way from the fax
machine to where we’re at now and I’m email: info@seatacmarine.com
just amazed at how easy it is to transact
with a wide variety of customers,”
Armstrong says, noting that advances
PDCENG.com
in electronic data interchanges and
automated reporting are two of the
biggest improvements in managing Transforming Challenges into Solutions
multimodal cargo.
Armstrong attributes much of Carlile’s
success in this area to its shift toward
using “off-the-shelf” technology.
“We adapted a strategy and
philosophy a couple years ago that
Now a Part of the
we would use, as much as possible,
off-the-shelf technology,” he says,
RESPEC Family
pointing to challenges associated Same great People,
with customizable technology as the
same great Service
reason for the shift. “As our systems are
upgraded, we get the very best version
Facilities
every single time. And it opens up
Transportation
more and more opportunities for us to
improve our business model because
Land Development
we’ve got these new upgrades and Utilities
new tools that are being added to the
systems we use.”
New Capabilities
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core operating systems are internally ■ Data & Technology ■ Energy
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Photo credit Dan Moran Photography
of companies.
“We’ve had a long history of Anchorage Fairbanks Juneau Palmer Soldotna
developing our own systems,” McKallor 907.743.3200 907.452.1414 907.780.6060 907.707.1215 907.420.0462
says. “So we have a fairly substantial IT
department and have developed these freight moves exactly the same every kicked around out there—companies
systems over the years to essentially single time. So if you have a good solid marketing airships, drones are a big
provide for our customers a single view base of core practices and processes, part of the future conversations. But I
no matter what mode they’re moving then it’s very easy to adapt those good think those things are pretty far off on
on or where they are. core processes to new challenges.” the horizon.”
“We’ve developed tools internally Armstrong illustrates this Even as new modes of transport and
that have essentially taken a diagnostic ideology’s effectiveness by technology become available in the
view across all different modes. So you pointing to Carlile’s response to the future, Karp believes companies should
can see freight coming in by airplane, coronavirus pandemic, describing continue to strive for providing value-
coming in on the barge, freight moving the transporter’s ability to adjust to added services. And having spent the
on the hovercraft—and as a service new conditions as “instantaneous.” early years of his career in the tourism
manager, you can see all those moving “We were able to very quickly and and hospitality industry, it’s no wonder
parts together in one view.” flexibly establish new processes what Karp, and other top executives,
Technology’s role in ensuring a surrounding the guidelines we were value most.
smooth shipping process can’t be being given from the CDC and also “As I’ve said before, you gotta be
downplayed, but Armstrong points to a around our customers’ requirements,” customer-centric. You gotta be focused
deeper company structure in place that he continues. “A lot of customers on the relationship with the customers
allows Carlile to effectively manage its couldn’t take freight or they didn’t have and be empathetic to their needs. It
multimodal operations. the personnel in place to take freight. doesn’t matter what tools you have to
“We sort of have three pillars at So we had the ability to quickly adjust use, whether it’s an airplane or a boat or
Carlile: our safety culture is the best I’ve our modal operation for that, and that’s a train or a truck—you’re the one that’s
ever seen. It’s what we pride ourselves really easy to do when you follow the making things happen. And to have a
in. Second is being 100 percent ethical. same core practices.” good understanding of what the needs
And third is a commitment to our of a customer are will always, I would
continuous improvement culture. Ingredients for Success contend, be the key ingredient.
“What we’ve been able to do is really This theme of continuous “We live in a world where, with
focus on establishing very solid core improvement is echoed throughout technology and the ability to use third-
practices throughout the organization. the transportation industry. “I think party vendors, you can make anything
That enables us to basically apply core companies are going to continue to try happen. But how you plan it, how you
practices and processes to any type to find ways to bring as much efficiency execute it, how you follow up, how you
of freight. Freight essentially moves into the process,” says Saltchuk’s Karp. troubleshoot and problem solve—those
the same way every time. It’s based “There are a couple new things being are the things that ultimately add value
on the cargo factors, the timing, the to the customer.”
environment… but essentially the
Lynden’s PistenBully snowcats transport

equipment and supplies through extreme
conditions and challenging terrain.
Lynden

CONSTRUCTION
‘It Just HAS to
Pugun Photo | iStock

Get Done’
How Alaska’s construction crews
expedite critical projects
By Amy Newman
A
ny Alaskan can tell you we they’re far from the only factor. is usually built into the project from
have four seasons: almost “There are a lot of things that the start, letting contractors factor
winter, winter, still winter, and can be a driver for us to get on an an accelerated pace into their bid and
construction. It’s a well-worn joke, but it expedited build,” says Tim Finnigan, plan accordingly.
encapsulates the outsized role weather president of Ahtna Global, Ahtna Occasionally, though, something
plays when scheduling construction Infrastructure & Technologies, and unexpected pops up during
projects across the state, and why, Ahtna Environmental—all subsidiaries construction, temporarily derailing the
whenever feasible, there’s a push to get of Ahtna, Inc. project and, ultimately, shortening the
as much work done as possible during Economic and financial construction window while crews deal
the short summer season. considerations, government funding with the snafu.
And while weather-related concerns cycles, market timing, even politics Regardless of whether the expedited
may be the most common reason can cause construction projects to timeline is planned from the beginning
construction projects are expedited, be fast-tracked. An expedited timeline or comes as a surprise, from a
“When you have a tight
deadline, you don’t PROUD SUBSIDIARY OF
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and really ramp up
when you have ideal
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ultimately just go as
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Longer seasons. Colder nights. Tighter margins. This season, we’ll be
until it’s done. Come asking more out of our equipment than ever before. To help you minimize
unplanned downtime and slow starts on cold mornings, we’ve highlighted
the most important maintenance procedures you need to know to keep
weather, come illness, today’s machines (Tier 4 systems and all) plowing around the clock.
Download snow removal tips at CaseCE.com/SnowPros.
what have you, it just
has to get done.”
SINCE 1842
Justin McVaney
Cost Estimator
Cornerstone General Contractors
contractor’s perspective the end result

is the same. Arctic® Sectional Sno-Pushers™. Contact us 907-277-1541
“You can think of it as all the same
amount of work needs to get done,
ANCHORAGE WASILLA FAIRBANKS
but it needs to be done in a shorter 2020 E. 3rd Ave. 7587 West Parks Hwy 3511 International St.
period of time,” says Jed Shandy, vice Anchorage, AK 99501 Wasilla, AK 99654 Fairbanks, AK 99701
president of Davis Constructors & Ph: 907-277-1541 Ph: 907-376-1541 Ph: 907-457-1541
Engineers in Anchorage. Fax: 907-276-6795 Fax: 907-376-1557 Fax: 907-457-1540
©2020 Yukon Equipment. All rights reserved. CASE is a trademark registered in the United States and many other countries, owned
Planned, Expedited Projects by or licensed to CNH Industrial N.V., its subsidiaries or affiliates. Any trademarks referred to herein, in association with goods and/or
services of companies other than CNH Industrial America, LLC, are the property of those respective companies.
“I can’t really think of a certain
customer that is always, always in an
Email: info@yukoneq.com www.yukoneq.com
emergency to get things done,” says Tim
An Ahtna crew pours concrete.
Ahtna
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Gould, president of Ahtna Engineering of other times that aren’t exactly ideal,” Alaskans working and the economy
Services and Ahtna Solutions, also McVaney says. “So it would be really from stagnating.
subsidiaries of Ahtna. “Some have a good to open your hotel right before “One of the biggest reasons that
range of needs; sometimes they’re in a all the tourists start showing up; not so we’re fast-tracking projects, especially
big hurry, sometimes they’re not.” great, say, in October. So market timing right now, is the economic basis,”
Instead, whether a project is is definitely a factor.” Shandy says. “We’re looking to make
accelerated hinges more on the For private clients who are financing sure the construction keeps going
client’s needs as it relates to the a project with construction loans, through the COVID [pandemic]. And
individual project, as opposed to the completing work as quickly as that’s not just exclusive to COVID, but
client itself, explains Justin McVaney, possible–even if doing so increases when there’s a natural disaster we like
cost estimator with Cornerstone overall costs–makes sense in the to fast-track projects that were already
General Contractors. long-term. slated.”
“Every project is different because “Private clients tend to be the Minimizing the impact on a building’s
every client is different,” he says. “Their ones who are bigger rushes because occupants can also dictate compressed
goals and objectives are different.” they’re dealing with the economics construction timelines. Renovations to
Economic and financial of financing, and the faster they school buildings are a good example,
considerations can determine whether can convert to long-term financing, McVaney says. An end-of-summer
a construction project will be fast- the better,” Shandy explains. “When completion date was a built-in objective
tracked. Completing a project quickly you’re in construction financing, of Cornerstone’s contract with the
often makes financial sense, though, [lenders] charge higher interest rates Anchorage School District to repair
depending on whether the client is a because there’s more risk—risk it earthquake damage at Gruening Middle
public or private entity, the financial could collapse before it’s finished, a School in Eagle River.
incentives vary. New construction for risk the contractor could go broke. “The school district would like
hotels, for example, is usually fast- Once it’s a completed project, it’s to be open for the school year, and
tracked to safeguard that the project's much less risky to the lender, and the that’s a hard date—you either hit it
completion date coincides with the rates go down dramatically.” or you don’t,” he says. “Naturally, we
start of the summer tourist season. The economics of COVID-19 are trying our best to approach that
“Up here in Alaska, we have an ideal have also influenced construction project in such a way that we can
time to open a hotel, and we have a lot timelines, as companies push to keep meet that timeline.”
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Other times, construction is
expedited because the project is
integral to the client’s overall objectives.
Earlier this year, Ahtna expedited
emergency repairs to a client’s pier to
ensure continued fuel deliveries.
“When you have a

time-sensitive project,
you do need to gear
up and figure out how
you’re going to deliver
that so you can pull
it off. Typically, those
projects we absolutely
must deliver... take a lot
of planning, especially
on remote work.”
Tim Gould
President
Ahtna Engineering Services and Ahtna Solutions
“If the fuel barge couldn’t get in, the

client would need to bring in fuel from
another method, which would be air,”
Finnigan says. “That would have been
very, very expensive.”
Unexpected Holdups
Even the best-laid plans can’t
account for unforeseen problems;
and, if they’re significant enough,
they can halt work on the primary
project, requiring a resolution before
work can proceed. But original A multi-talented, multi-skilled workforce
deadlines can’t always be extended is key to expediting construction projects.
to accommodate any additional Ahtna
work associated with complications,

leaving contractors with less time Environmental contaminants are one “Environmental issues require
overall to complete the project. of the most common reasons crews expediting for obvious reasons,” he
“Obviously, there’s always the issue suddenly find themselves stalled on a explains. “The longer the [hazard]
we get into a project and then some project that was progressing normally. remains unrepaired, the greater the
unforeseen condition creates a delay,” Strict regulatory guidelines govern the harm it does to the environment.”
McVaney says. “But the end date of the process of remediating the specific Davis Constructors & Engineers
project is still firm and fast and doesn’t hazard as well as proper disposal found itself in just such a situation
really move much.” methods, Shandy says. during a 2018 utilidor project at
Eielson Air Force Base in Fairbanks.
Construction stopped while crews
worked to remove contaminated
material from the job site and dispose COMMITTED
of it in the appropriate landfill, all within
the 90 day deadline. TO SERVING
The unexpected clean-up not only
forced Davis Constructors & Engineers ALASKA FOR
to postpone the start date for pouring
concrete but required crews to work OVER 70 YEARS
through the winter, creating more
work—and increasing costs—to make
sure the project was completed by the
spring deadline.
“Instead of pouring a mile of O L E S .CO M
concrete utiliduct [during the
summer], we ended up pouring from
October to February,” Shandy says.
“We paid to build a bubble around the
concrete plant and poured concrete
all winter long.”
But postponing the project until
spring, when the ground thawed,
wasn’t an option. We all have a job to do to keep Alaska’s economy strong. Our clients
are the ones improving state transportation infrastructure, expanding
“There were thirteen projects that military facilities and building new commercial and residential buildings.
were tying into that utility structure, As a law firm, our job is simple – help our clients find solutions to legal
and they were all scheduled to issues that arise at all stages of the construction process so the job can
receive services when we were get done and our state can thrive.
done,” he explains. “It’s a lot worse to ALASK A I WA SHINGTON I CALIFORNI A
be late on your contracts than it is to

be done early.”
Projects to repair damage caused
by natural disasters are often also
MEETING ALASKA’S DESIGN
completed on an expedited timeframe. AND CONSTRUCTION CHALLENGES
“Those don’t come with any
schedule attached,” Gould says. “We
don’t get too many hurricanes, but — Civil, Geotechnical & Transportation Engineering
we get earthquakes, and we get other
— Construction Administration
natural disaster-type stuff, and all of a
sudden you just jump into action and — Environmental Services
get to work immediately. Those kinds
— Material Testing
of things, really the schedule’s out the
window. You just get it done as rapidly — Planning
as you can.”
— Real Estate Services
Issues beyond the construction
site itself can also sometimes wreak — Surveying & Mapping
havoc on a project. Davis Constructors
& Engineers was working on a fast-
track project slated to be completed
by April until supply chain issues
created by COVID-19 stopped work;
the temporary halt in construction will Parks Highway, MP 44-52.3
ultimately shorten the timeframe to (DOT&PF, Central Region) ENGAGE | EMPOWER | EXCEED
complete the project.
“The [client] has a large pipeline Parks Highway, MP 44-52.3
(DOT&PF, Central Region)
of furniture supplied from China,
specifically the Wuhan area,” Shandy
says. “So, they had to stall construction
because they wouldn’t get the Anchorage | Mat-Su | Kenai | hdlalaska.com
furnishings in time.”
Working Faster, Working do abatement, tear down the
Smarter buildings. They can jump in a piece
“Private clients tend The obvious solution to completing of equipment and do the civil work,
a project quickly is to infuse it with then they put their tool belts on and
to be the ones who are additional cash.
“Add money and you can go
do the vertical work. I think that’s a
key that allows us to get things done
bigger rushes because faster, right?” Gould says. “ We add

more equipment, we add more
faster and better.”
crew. To the degree that you can Keep the Ball Rolling
they’re dealing with get all that done in concer t, you Detailed planning is necessary to
can reduce the schedule. The faster keep any construction project running
the economics of you want to go, the more money
you may spend.”
smoothly and on time. It becomes
even more important when that
financing, and the Outfitting the worksite

equipment tailored to the type of
with project is expedited.
“When you have a time-sensitive
work being performed and the terrain project, you do need to gear up and
faster they can convert it’s being performed on can help get figure out how you’re going to deliver
things done quickly. that so you can pull it off,” Gould says.
to long-term financing, “We do certain types of projects
where we do have specialized
“Typically, those projects we absolutely
must deliver... take a lot of planning,
the better. When equipment focused

geography,” Gould says. He goes
on the especially on remote work.”
Ideally, whether the project is
on to explain that when working in time-sensitive or completed on
you’re in construction the Aleutian Islands, for example, a normal timeline, contractors
the company needs a special type prefer to be involved in the design
financing, [lenders] of dump truck equipped with tracks
instead of wheels so it doesn’t sink
and planning process from the
beginning, McVaney says. Early
charge higher interest into the tundra.

“We have actually designed and
involvement gives them time to build
relationships with project leads and
fabricated certain equipment that allows for scope revisions if design
rates because there’s makes us move dirt faster,” he says. elements or proposed materials
Though it may not be the most would make it difficult to complete
more risk–risk it economical solution, keeping
specialized equipment onsite can also
the project on time. But that isn’t
always the case.
could collapse before help crews complete a project faster.

“You may not use anything more
“Ultimately, as a contractor, we’re
subject to the procurement method
specialized, but you may have three that the owner is using,” he explains.
it’s finished, a risk area lifts instead of two, and they In these situations, communication
may be used 60 percent of the between all the project’s players—
the contractor could time rather than 80 percent of the
time,” Shandy explains. “They’re less
client, contractor, project manager,
and designer—is integral to the project’s
go broke. Once it’s a efficient, but nobody ever has to

wait for one.”
success. And it becomes even more
important on expedited builds.
But any equipment is only as good “Just really keeping those lines of
completed project it’s as the person operating it, so a skilled communication open, that’s a big piece
workforce is vital when working on of it as well,” Gould says. “Making sure
much less risky to the time-sensitive projects.
“Obviously when you have more
we’re all on the same page.”
That, and having a team that can hit
lender, and the rates go hammers you can drive more nails,”
McVaney says. “But behind ever y
the ground running and keep going
until the work is done.
hammer, there’s a person, and so “ When you have a tight deadline,
down dramatically.” it really just always comes back to you don’t have the freedom or
the people.” the luxur y to take it easy when
Jed Shandy, Vice President Finnigan agrees that employing conditions are less than ideal and
Davis Constructors & Engineers
the right people is essential to really ramp up when you have ideal
expediting projects. conditions,” McVaney says. “You
“For us, it’s the personnel that is ultimately just go as hard as you have
multi-skilled and multi-talented,” to until it’s done. Come weather,
he says. “Our guys are the type come illness, what have you, it just
that can go out to a job site and has to get done.”
PLANS CHANGE.
DEADLINES DON’T.
With Lynden you can choose the mode – air, land, or sea – that
best fits your schedule and budget. Important shipment?
Track it from anywhere using Lynden’s mobile app, or choose
to receive email updates as the status changes.
Download at www.lynden.com/mobile
E N V I R O N M E N TA L
Combatting
Contamination
Engineering a pristine
environment one contaminant
at a time
francescomoufotografo | iStock

E
ngineering firms offering
environmental services in Alaska
address a broad spectrum
of issues that impact humans and
wildlife—managing everything from
COVID-19 wipe-downs and toxic mold
issues to oil spill prevention planning
and soil remediation.
“We all live in the environment.
Those environments can be inside
or outside. It could be your home. Providing Alaska with unequaled service
It can be commercial buildings. And with highly trained professionals and an
the inside environments can get quite
dangerous due to mold, asbestos, extensive fleet of specialized equipment
particulate matter,” says Kirsten
Ballard, director of ARCTOS Alaska • Industrial Cleaning and Maintenance
Services at NORTECH.
• Vacuum Transfer and Pumping
“Outside, you can have threats to
your drinking water due to oil spills, • Decontamination and Demolition
chemical spills, and so forth. The
• Hazardous and Industrial Waste Transportation,
outside environment is important
because you bring your drinking water, Treatment, Recycling and Disposal
maybe your shoes and clothing, inside,”
• 24/7/365 Hazardous Materials Response and
Ballard says, noting that there is also a
need to mitigate risk to other natural International Operations Center
resources, such as anadromous fish
• Disaster Response and Recovery
streams, animal breeding grounds, and
endangered species. • High Hazard and Rail Response
Groundwater Contamination
In the Fairbanks North Star Borough,
the environmental services team at the
Shannon & Wilson Fairbanks office has
been focused on groundwater issues.
“You may have read about quite
a few groundwater contamination
sites around the state where a lot
of it is coming from perfluorinated
compounds [PFCs] and from firefighting
foam,” says Chris Darrah, the Fairbanks
office manager for Shannon & Wilson.
“There are a lot of people in the Fairbanks
area—and actually statewide—where
their drinking water is contaminated, so
we'll help assess that.”
Once a site has been identified as
potentially harmful to flora, fauna, or
nearby communities, environmental
service teams take water and soil
samples to identify whether a NRC Alaska has merged with US Ecology,
contaminant exceeds established a leader in environmental services across
safety levels.
North America.
“We’re more on the assessment,
planning, and design side,” Darrah
explains. “We're typically not going
to be the ones to show up with a big
remediation system. We'll help design
it. We’ll help figure out what is the best (907) 258-1558
way to clean up the drinking water, and
then we may subcontract with other
“We take the waste
product and turn it
back into new, virgin-
equivalent, if you will;
products go back out
across the state for
freeze protection for
automotive, heavy
equipment, and also
fixed facilities.”
Blake Hillis
Senior Vice President of Operations, US Ecology
Environmental firms in Alaska gather data

and develop plans to ensure the safety of
Alaska's myriad environments and wildlife.
Dee Carpenter Photography | iStock

firms to actually provide that service.”
To help combat PFC contamination,
which is a nationwide issue, Shannon “The bulk of what is deemed as hazardous
& Wilson is engaging in research and
development on the topic. waste—that’s more of your paints, solvents, and
“These firefighting foam chemicals,
they're tough to treat. And there's not
a lot of information on how to do that,”
corrosives—we do not process those here in-
Darrah says. “So we've teamed up with
a remediation provider to test their state. But we have our own facilities across the
treatment process under actual Alaska
field conditions.” United States, and we send those down south to
Darrah says testing is ongoing.
But the issue of PFCs is just one of
many that Darrah and others in his
our other facilities that are permitted by the EPA
field encounter when working with
groundwater contamination. to treat hazardous waste.”
“We focus heavily on contaminated
Blake Hillis, Senior Vice President of Operations, US Ecology
site assessments: somebody has
had a spill or a leaking fuel tank or
floor drains in their shops that just functioned pre-impact, Jarrell says. structures to restore the natural flow of
kind of go to a hole in the ground,” “You’re bringing in fill, you’re streams and other water channels.
Darrah says. “We will sample soil and providing revegetation services where “You’re trying not to leave a
groundwater and test that for various you’re revegetating with native species,” depression at a site. Anywhere you
types of contaminants. Basically, we he says. “Basically, you’re trying to leave leave a depression, it creates a new
determine how bad it is when it comes the site in as low of an impact state as pond,” Muniz says. “The goal is to try to
to a contaminated site. We also focus you can.” keep those final grade lines such that
heavily on environmental compliance.” Herminio (Nino) Muniz, a senior the surface area will drain and you're
Businesses that store fuel, oil, or program manager with Ahtna Solutions, not creating pools or ponds.”
other potential contaminants can notes that the team will also put in Remediation teams also need to be
be required to manage rainfall and
snowmelt to prevent them from
washing contaminants from the job
site or facility into the environment
at large, Darrah says. Environmental
service firms offer mitigation planning
North of 60
and other solutions to ensure that the
streets and nearby waterways remain
clean while keeping a business on the
right side of the law.
Providing environmental,
Remediation and Recycling
“We do a lot of large-scale soil
architectural, and
removal projects [for the federal engineering solutions
government]. The majority of it is
old fuel spills and things like that.
across Alaska.
And, you know, occasionally some
PCBs, but the majority of it is related
to fuels contamination,” says Greg
Jarrell, the Alaska regional director
for environmental and engineering
services at Ahtna Environmental. “We'll
go in and dig up a bunch of soil and
haul it out of state for disposal at a
Subtitle C landfill.”
Once contaminated soils have been
removed from a site, environmental Design with community in mind
services firms remediate the area with stantec.com
the goal of returning the landscape as
close as possible to how it looked and
aware of an area’s native plant species;
to help the Alaska Plant Material Center
“You’re trying not to leave a depression at a site. provides regional lists detailing what
percentage of a seed mixture should
Anywhere you leave a depression, it creates a be comprised of what native species,
Jarrell says.
new pond. The goal is to try to keep those final And while regional differences in flora
have some influence on environmental
restoration plans, logistical issues have
grade lines such that the surface area will drain a bigger impact when determining how
to approach contaminated site clean-
and you're not creating pools or ponds.” up, Muniz says.
“The main factors we consider are
Herminio (Nino) Muniz, Senior Program Manager, Ahtna Solutions climate and the remoteness of the site,”
Muniz says. “If we're doing a haul and
dig project at Fort Wainwright, that's
a lot different than doing it out on an
island next to Adak, right? Logistics are
what's going to really drive how we look
at those differently.”
Once soils have been removed,
they need to be disposed of legally.
Depending on the contaminant, that
requires shipping the contaminated
material to the Lower 48 or processing
it at a facility in Alaska. There are no
facilities to process hazardous waste
in Alaska; however, US Ecology, which
recently acquired NRC Alaska, operates
a number of facilities in the state that
are licensed to handle numerous
contaminants, US Ecology Senior Vice
President of Operations for Alaska Blake
Hillis explains.
“We offer a thermal soil treatment unit
at Moose Creek, which is near Fairbanks.
And then we have two treatment
facilities in Anchorage,” Hillis says. “They
are fluids treatment locations that treat
oils, fuels, contaminated water, sludges,
and absorbent material.”
The company is permitted to treat and
dispose of perfluorinated compounds
and hydrocarbon contaminated soils
and materials.
“The bulk of what is deemed as
hazardous waste—that’s more of your
paints, solvents, and corrosives—we
do not process those here in-state. But
we have our own facilities across the
United States, and we send those down
south to our other facilities that are
permitted by the EPA to treat hazardous
waste,” Hillis says.
Depending on the economics,
No matter how remote or difficult the other companies that provide
environment, environmental engineers contamination removal services in
ensure projects can be developed and
operated safely. Alaska will partner with US Ecology to
dispose of waste or they will ship it to
Cheryl Ramalho | iStock
the Lower 48, Hillis says.
Providing and Developing
Talent in the Last Frontier
Staffing and Recruitment Team Engagement

The Art of People. The Science of Management.
ALASKA EXECUTIVE SEARCH & BRADISON MANAGEMENT GROUP

821 N Street, Suite 201, Anchorage, AK 99501
akexec.com | bmgak.com
907.276.5707
US Ecology also has a state-of-the- isn’t going to flow that way. She
art distillation unit that manufactures explains that part of the prevention
“Oil industry ASTM-specification glycols, such as and mitigation planning might be
antifreeze, from used products. understanding where exactly a team
equipment is just as “We take the waste product and turn would dig an interceptor trench if there
it back into new, virgin-equivalent, if was a spill, as well as where equipment
important to maintain you will; products go back out across

the state for freeze protection for
should be stored to allow a team to
rapidly respond.
automotive, heavy equipment, and also “You might decide to pre-create an
in accordance with fixed facilities,” Hillis says. interceptor trench depending on the
He notes that the company’s clients sensitivity of the environment in that
their ‘owner’s manual’ range across several industries. direction,” Ballard says. “What do you
“We actually do a lot of work think about winter, summer, spring, or
of industry standards with the mining industry, as well as

tourism. We service a lot of cruise
fall? In the wintertime, you probably
don't have a lot of endangered
ships that generate oily waste on the species to worry about, but during the
so that you can keep cruise ship—so the tourism is a big summer breeding season you might
one for us,” Hillis says. “Any of your have a lot… You need to have all those
everyone safe [and] dealerships for automotive or heavy things lined out and figured out before
industrial equipment, we service all you begin operations.”
lower your response those throughout the state. It could

be anything from a Jiffy Lube to a
Prevention isn’t cheap, but it’s far
cheaper than the costs that come with
Caterpillar dealership—everything in contaminated groundwater or damages
costs and liabilities, between—because we're the guys that to natural resources and human health,
take the waste. We do a lot of recycling as well as the ensuing, “bruising” legal
with the by-product in our facilities here in Alaska.” battles, Ballard says.
“For example, Alyeska Pipeline
that just happens to Spills and Viruses

Though business has been down
Service Company runs cleaning PIGs
down their pipelines, but they also
with the recent drop in oil prices, US run what are called smart PIGs,” she
benefit your company’s Ecology has picked up some work says. Smart PIG devices are loaded
dealing with COVID-19. with instruments that measure and
reputation.” “We have been actively doing identify cracks, thinning areas, or other
COVID-19 responses; we’re the guys anomalies in a pipeline, which are often
Kirsten Ballard, Director of ARCTOS Alaska that go out and disinfect anything caused by corrosion.
Services, NORTECH
from a vehicle to a large facility so Though an inspection group at a
that occupants can reoccupy those company is expensive and doesn’t
locations after COVID contamination,” generate revenue, they are vital.
US Ecology has many clients in the
tourism industry. Hillis says, explaining that the service “They help a company maintain a
Raphoto | iStock
still falls under the large umbrella of safe, clean operation. Inspection and
environmental services. maintenance is a ‘safety first’ approach
The general perception of that makes an operation safe for people
environmental service firms is and the environment, a program that
that their focus is on cleaning also happens to preserve a company’s
contaminated sites—from soiled soils reputation,” says Ballard.
to oil slicks—but there is also a heavy “An ounce of prevention is worth
focus on providing preventative a pound of cure. It’s important to
measures to mitigate risk, protect recognize that. Just like you spend
clients, and the environment. money to change the oil in your car
“For a stationary facility, you have and have the wheels aligned regularly,
a pretty good idea of where the fuel the car runs great so long as you take
or oil would go—this stuff isn’t rocket those prevention measures outlined
science,” Ballard says. “So in addition in the manual. Oil industry equipment
to setting up prevention measures to is just as important to maintain in
prevent us from spilling oil in the first accordance with their ‘owner’s manual’
place, we can also put in some pre- of industry standards so that you can
planned response measures.” keep everyone safe [and] lower your
For example, Ballard says there’s no response costs and liabilities, with the
point in installing oil spill collection by-product that just happens to benefit
devices uphill of a facility—the oil your company’s reputation.”
Infrastructure &
Technologies, LLC
Safely and effectively
moving logistically
challenging projects Denny Nelson, Ahtna Warehouse
Supervisor working alongside
from conception to Ahtna shareholder staff,
Aaron Miller, Jonathan Miller,
completion and Jason Trantham ©Kerry Tasker Photography
A
htna, Inc., (Ahtna) recently subsidiaries. They apply their differing people,” Finnigan says. “For clients, this
added a new company to its yet complementary skillsets with means they know we will get the job
expanding corporate umbrella out-of-the-box thinking to creatively done right.”
—Ahtna Infrastructure & Technologies solve their clients’ problems. “Our ability AIT values having long-term relation-
(AIT), LLC, a full-service general to share common management and past ships with clients, partners, vendors, and
contractor, construction manager, and performance experience provides our employees. As such, it has become an
professional services provider. AIT clients with the expertise and confidence employer of choice by offering its staff
enhances a steady pattern of growth for that comes with a large, well-established work flexibility, competitive pay, and
Ahtna, which operates 20 subsidiaries. firm while offering the flexibility, the ability to participate in the Federal
AIT enables clients to leverage the transparency, and trust that comes Employee Health Benefits program. AIT
strength of its sister subsidiaries’ from working with a small company,” also fosters upward mobility by placing
multi-disciplinary core staff of 360 Finnigan says. employees in key roles that promote
professionals, including construction Recently, AIT received its Small growth. “We mentor our shareholders
supervisors, engineers, scientists, and Business Administration 8(a) certifi- and younger staff while supporting them
craft labor. cation for disadvantaged firms, which to develop into our future leaders for
AIT specializes in executing time- translates into accelerated procurement, tomorrow,” Gould says. “It’s really
sensitive, complex, and multi-faceted competitive rates, and other advantages gratifying.”
construction, environmental, engineer- for clients. “AIT can move projects from Having well-trained talent and
ing, and professional services proj- conception to reality very rapidly,” Gould locations nationwide enhances AIT’s
ects for commercial and government says. “We’ve developed an excellent skill- ability to serve clients worldwide. “We
clients. The Alaska-based firm works on set and have great staff that can deliver. have such a deep bench of people that
projects ranging from small renovations We’re a very low-risk contractor.” when someone calls, I already have in
to major construction to environmental my mind how I would staff it,” Finnigan
remediation jobs worth $10,000 to $70 ONE-STOP SHOP says. “There’s not a project that we have
million. AIT has offices in Anchorage, AIT functions as both contractor and to say no to.”
Fairbanks, and the Mat-Su Valley, as consultant, offering a one-stop shop
well as California, Hawaii, Maryland, for clients. It provides comprehensive,
Missouri, Oregon, Texas and Washington. cohesive, and cost-effective solutions
that ensure the science/engineering
EFFECTIVE CO-MANAGEMENT and field operations work together
AIT employs a common management seamlessly. Few firms can match AIT’s
structure headed by two longtime Ahtna logistical skillsets due, in part, to its high- For more information, contact:
senior managers: President Tim Finnigan quality, cross-trained staff that can flex
Tim Finnigan, President
and Vice President Timothy Gould. between different roles. This enables 110 West 38th Ave., Suite 200M
Finnigan, a second-generation Alaskan AIT to self-perform the majority of its Anchorage, Alaska 99503
construction professional, and Gould work in Alaska and much of it elsewhere. (907) 569-8250
jointly manage AIT and four other Ahtna “We have attracted the best group of www.ahtnainfrastructure.com
AlaskaBusiness Profile
INSIDE ALASKA BUSINESS
UA System of KATH and KSCT, DMH’s NBC effects of COVID-19. The first round
UAS and UAF signed an agreement affiliates in the Juneau and Sitka of grants saw a massive response: 175
to provide online, dual enrollment markets. Separately, DMH also applicants statewide, with requests
opportunities for Alaska’s high school sold to Gray most of the assets of totaling more than $60 million. ACF
students via Alaska Advantage. Anchorage television station KTVA and DHSS awarded $18.5 million in
College courses are offered by both and three CBS stations in Juneau, CNRF funding to 90 organizations
UAS and UAF, helping students Sitka, and Ketchikan. Finally, GCI and that provide essential services to their
get started earning college credit Gray entered into a new long-term communities.
while meeting their high school retransmission agreement covering alaskaacf.org | dhss.alaska.gov
graduation requirements. Course all of Gray’s stations and all of GCI’s
credits are accepted at both UAS and cable systems in Alaska.
Donlin Gold | Delta
UAF and can be transferred to other gci.com | gray.tv
Backhaul Company | AVCP
institutions. Multiple entities and tribes have joined
alaska.edu
USACE | Pebble forces to help Yukon-Kuskokwim
Partnership Delta region villages remove harmful
Alaska Marine Lines | In August, the US Army Corps of e-waste. The goal is to safely dispose
Glosten | Meridian Marine Engineers–Alaska District notified of electronics and other materials that
Industries the Pebble Limited Partnership that, would otherwise end up in a landfill.
Four Alaska Marine Lines rail barges as part of its Record of Decision Delta Backhaul Company has worked
are getting new piping and ballast process, “the District made Clean closely with the Association of Village
systems designed by marine industry Water Act Section 404(b)(1) factual Council Presidents (AVCP) and Donlin
leader Glosten with installation by determinations that discharges at Gold over the past three years to
Meridian Marine Industries. “The rail the [Pebble] mine site would cause assist with logistics and transportation
barges are hitting twenty years of unavoidable adverse impacts to planning for the Kuskokwim Regional
service and were in need of some aquatic resources, and, preliminarily, Household Hazardous Waste
upgrades,” says John Maketa, T-115 that those adverse impacts would Backhaul program. The partnership
Port Engineer in Seattle. Two barges, result in significant degradation to will benefit ten villages along the
the Anchorage Provider and Whittier those aquatic resources.” Pebble Kuskokwim River as well as the coast.
Provider, already have the new piping Limited Partnership was given 90 days donlingold.com | dbcalaska.net
systems installed. Using a patented from the date of the letter to produce avcp.org
rack system, the rail barges transport an appropriate compensatory
containers and rail cars from Seattle mitigation plan.
Arctic Solar Ventures
to Whittier, where the rail cars are pebblepartnership.com Arctic Solar Ventures Corporation
rolled onto the train tracks. usace.army.mil ranked 275th on the annual Inc.
lynden.com/aml | glosten.com 5000 list. The list represents the
vancouvershiprepair.ca
ACF | DHSS most successful companies in the US
The Alaska Community Foundation economy’s most dynamic segment—
GCI | Gray Television (ACF) and the Department of independent small businesses. “We’re
GCI exited the broadcast television Health and Social Services (DHSS) thrilled by being named to the Inc.
business to focus on its core business announced the first round of 5000 list. Earning a mainstream
of providing data, mobile, video, Coronavirus Nonprofit Relief Fund business award within a new and
voice, and managed services to (CNRF) grantees. Grant funds are growing industry is a testament to the
consumers and businesses. GCI from Alaska’s share of the federal hard work and determination of our
subsidiary Denali Media Holdings CARES Act and are to be distributed team,” says Stephen Trimble, Arctic
(DMH) and Gray Television closed to eligible nonprofit and faith-based Solar Ventures CEO and founder.
on their previously announced sale organizations to combat the adverse arcticsolarventures.com
ECONOMIC INDIC ATOR S

ANS Crude Oil Production ANS West Coast Crude Oil Prices Statewide Employment
 490,08 barrels  $42.09 per barrel  340,749 Labor Force
 9% change from previous month  1% change from previous month  11.6% Unemployment
9/2/2020 9/3/2020 6/1/20. Adjusted seasonally.
Source: Alaska Department of Natural Resources Source: Alaska Department of Natural Resources Source: Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development

RIGHT MOVES
with the established goals
Lane Powell Coast Guard and objectives of the Tribe’s
Lane Powell announced two new additions  Captain Leanne Lusk relieved Captain strategic plan and within
to its Anchorage firm: Associate Hans Sean MacKenzie as commanding officer the framework of adopted
Huggler and Counsel to the Firm Miranda of Coast Guard Sector Anchorage. Lusk budgets, applicable laws,
Strong. was previously assigned as the deputy Helgesen regulations, policies,
 Huggler, who is relocating commander of Coast Guard Sector Lake and procedures. Helgesen graduated
from the firm’s Portland Michigan in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She magna cum laude with a bachelor’s in
office, is a commercial directed all Coast Guard operations in political science and minor in public
litigator with a focus a four-state area on and around Lake administration from UAA in 1994
on transportation and Michigan and the Illinois Waterway. She led and earned a master’s in healthcare
Huggler insurance-related matters. nearly 700 Coast Guardsmen on the Sector administration from Trinity University in
After earning his juris doctorate from staff and at eighteen boat stations, two San Antonio. Helgesen previously served
Lewis & Clark Law School, Huggler Aids to Navigation teams, Marine Safety as the CEO and hospital administrator
served as a law clerk for the Honorable Unit Chicago, Marine Safety Detachment for the Alaska Native Tribal Health
Sharon Gleason of the US District Court Sturgeon Bay, and Sector Field Office Consortium and president and CEO of
for the District of Alaska before joining Grand Haven. the SouthEast Alaska Regional Health
Lane Powell. He holds undergraduate  Commander Brian McLaughlin relieved Consortium.
degrees in economics and political Captain Michael Frawley as commanding
science from Oregon State University and officer of US Coast Guard Air Station
a master’s in criminal justice policy from Sitka. McLaughlin arrived in Alaska after
Diamond Grid
the London School of Economics and serving as executive officer of Coast  Diamond Grid USA & Diamond Grid
Political Science. Guard Air Station Cape Cod, in Cape Cod, Canada appointed John Horjes to
 Strong focuses her Massachusetts. Mclaughlin was previously Executive Director of the businesses
practice on compliance, assigned to several different stations in to facilitate their ongoing expansion
litigation, government the United States. He graduated from the targets. In his new role, Horjes leads
affairs, and employment. Coast Guard Academy with a bachelor's of the establishment and expansion of
She joins the firm from science in government. McLaughlin also the Diamond Grid product into the US
Strong Bering Straits Native earned a master's of science in aviation and Canadian markets. Horjes hails
Corporation, where she served as safety systems management and adult from a strong background of business
chief ethics and compliance officer education technology from Embry-Riddle development, investment banking, and
and associate general counsel. Strong Aeronautical University. mergers and acquisitions.
also spent time as an assistant attorney
general for the State of Alaska, where
she was a trial and appellate litigator,
Tlingit & Haida Anchorage Health
and a tribal liaison and special assistant  The Central Council of the Tlingit
Department
advising the executive branch on and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska  Mayor Ethan Berkowitz announced the
emerging Alaska Native legal and announced Roald Helgesen as Chief appointment of Heather Harris as the new
policy matters. Strong received her Operating Officer (COO). As COO, Anchorage Health Department Director.
juris doctorate from the University of Helgesen manages Tlingit & Haida’s She is an alumna of UAA and has an
Washington School of Law, her master’s administrative and program operations executive master’s in public administration
from UAS, and her bachelor’s from UAA. to ensure all activities are consistent from the University of Washington. Harris
RIGHT MOVES IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY NORTHERN AIR CARGO

has dedicated her career to serving the the meaningful inclusion of UAA's diverse and joined the Japanese
Anchorage community, with a focus population of students, staff, and faculty. Ministry of Foreign Affairs
on children, homelessness, disease Booz comes to UAA from the University (MOFA) the same year. His
prevention, and disaster response. of Toledo where she served as director diplomatic assignments took
in the office for diversity and inclusion. him to different locations
Aniya
Alaska USA She has twenty years of experience as a around the globe. Aniya also
postsecondary administrator, including as a held various positions at MOFA's special
 Brenda Miernyk has been
dean of students. focus departments including Arms Control
selected to fill the position of
 Dr. Denise Runge has and Disarmament, International Economic
Director of Sales for Alaska
been selected as UAA’s next Cooperation, and Global Environment
USA Mortgage Company.
Miernyk provost. She is currently the Division where he worked as the assistant
Miernyk is a trusted leader
dean of the UAA Community director.
with more than twenty years of mortgage
and Technical College. Under
industry experience. She holds a bachelor’s Runge
in business administration from Colorado
her leadership, the college has KTUU
sharpened its focus on academic advising
State University.  Anchorage-based NBC affiliate KTUU-
and student support, resulting in increases
TV is expanding its news operation to
in student retention and persistence. Her
include a full-time reporter based in
Koniag Government background includes academic leadership
Juneau. Multimedia Journalist Sean
Services experience as associate director of
Maguire, who joined the Channel 2 News
academic affairs at Prince William Sound
 Koniag Government team in 2017, will lead the Southeast
College, associate dean of academics at
Services (KGS) promoted Bureau. During his time at KTUU, Maguire
Helena College, vice president of academic
Aisha McGill to Chief Business has held several roles in the news
affairs at Oglethorpe University, and dean
Operations Officer. Since department including weekend broadcast
McGill
of the College of Arts and Letters at the
joining KGS in 2018 as senior producer, digital reporter, multimedia
University of Southern Mississippi.
vice president of operations, McGill has journalist, and chief political reporter.
played a critical role in leading KGS’ “vision
AES
of aggressive growth” and supporting UA Foundation
multiple business functions and areas. In  Alaska Executive Search
 The UA Foundation board
her new role, McGill is focusing on the (AES) welcomes its newest
of directors’ executive
development of a KGS modernization Associate Recruiter, Hannah
committee appointed
roadmap for all business systems, Markwood. Markwood isn't
Megan Riebe as Acting UA
processes, and IT infrastructure. new to AES as an employee—
Markwood Foundation President. Riebe
before joining the recruitment Riebe has served as UA Foundation
UA System team, Markwood served as temporary staff
executive director and associate vice
working for a number of clients and always
UAA Chancellor Cathy Sandeen president of development for the UA
received positive feedback. She quickly
announced the university has filled two System for the past eight years. She has
learned the ropes and has now been hired
positions that advance diversity initiatives played a key leadership role in foundation
on full time.
and academic excellence. operations and system-wide fund
 Jennifer Booz will become development efforts.
UAA’s first Chief Diversity
Consular Office of Japan in Riebe has twenty-seven years of
Officer. She will lead UAA’s
Anchorage experience in nonprofit and higher
efforts to transform programs,  Consul Masaru Aniya is the new education management and fund
Booz services, and processes to Head of the Consular Office of Japan development. She earned a bachelor’s in
support a vibrant campus life, a positive and in Anchorage. Aniya graduated from business administration and marketing
equitable culture, a diverse curriculum, and Hiroshima University's Law School in 1984 from Washington State.

ALASKA TRENDS
F
all is a special time; the changing colors, feathered friends in the sky, an excuse to splurge on an extra dash of pumpkin
spice. And for the Alaska Business team, as well as the community we serve, the harvest month also means an opportunity
to take a peek at some of the state’s top locally-owned companies ranked by gross revenue. The Top 49ers are Alaska’s
top-performing companies, covering a wide spread of the industries that keep our economy running strong.
These companies are a diverse bunch, in both size and function. Cornerstone General Contractors is a company of merely
42 employees—a stark contrast to ASRC, the Alaska Native corporation that has occupied our top spot since 1995 and boasts a
stunning worldwide employee count of 15,181. A grocer headquartered in Wasilla currently enjoying revenues in the hundreds
of millions, Three Bears was first featured in 2010 and hasn’t looked back since.
This month in Alaska Trends we delve deeper into the numbers behind the trends that drive the members of this highly-
anticipated list to provide an even more comprehensive view of the 2020 Top 49ers.
51%
Alaska Native Corporations
make up 51% of the Top 49ers.
THE TOP 49ERS

BY INDUSTRY
Mining 2%
Finance 4%
Transportation 4%
Oil & Gas 6%
Retail 6%
Utilities 10%
Construction 16%
Alaska Native Corporation 51%
102% INCREASE IN REVENUE

New Top 49er Gana-A’Yoo reported a 102% increase in revenue,
jumping from ~$31 million in 2018 to ~$62 million in 2019.
$1.1 MILLION PER EMPLOYEE

In 2019 Cornerstone generated nearly $1.1 million in revenue per employee.

LARGEST MOVE
Choggiung made the largest move
up the rankings, jumping 7 spots
from 33 in 2019 to 26 this year.
STABLE
In total, thirteen Top 49ers hold the
exact rank they held in 2019.
The order of the top six Top 49ers did

not change from 2019 to 2020.
51%
Anchorage is home to
51% of the Top 49ers.
TOP 49ERS
HEADQUARTERS
Anchorage 25 Dillingham 1
Fairbanks 6 Glennallen 1
Mat-Su 4 Homer 1
Juneau 2 Ketchikan 1
Kodiak 2 Kotzebue 1
Utqiaġvik 2 Nome 1
Bethel 1 Prudhoe Bay 1
42 2,385
Cornerstone General As a group, the 2020 Top
Contractors reported the 49ers have accumulated
fewest number of worldwide 2,385 years of experience
employees (including Alaska) working in Alaska.
with 42 employees.
15,181 4,495
ASRC reported the most NANA reported
worldwide employees the most Alaska
(including Alaska) with employees with 4,495.
15,181 employees.

AT A GLANCE
What book is currently on your nightstand?
Where the Sea Breaks Its Back: The Epic
Story of Early Naturalist Georg Steller and
the Russian Exploration of Alaska by Corey
Ford.
What movie do you recommend to

everyone you know?
Well I’m not a movie goer because I get
vertigo really bad in the theater, but there’s a
TV series I really like and that’s Yellowstone.
What’s the first thing you do when you get

home after a long day at work?
I’d say the first thing I do is I receive
unconditional love from my dog Gracie…
she’s a miniature schnauzer and no matter
how the day at work turned out, she’s
always overjoyed to see me.
If you couldn’t live in Alaska, what’s your

dream locale?
Easy, it would be Maui. I went to college in
Hawai'i and have had the luxury of having
traveled there many times—it’s like a second
home to me.
If you could domesticate a wild animal,

what animal would it be?
Images © Kerry Tasker
I’d probably say a bear, and you might say,

‘Why on god’s green earth would you do
that?’… perhaps it might help me to not be
so terrified of them [she laughs].

OFF THE CUFF
Sophie Minich
S
ophie Minich is the President and CEO of AB: What’s your favorite way to exercise?
Minich: I’d say going for a long walk or hike with my
Cook Inlet Region, Inc. (CIRI). Minich has held
sweetheart and Gracie our dog. We have a little loop that we
a variety of executive level positions with CIRI do out where we live and it’s a nice 3.5 mile loop—it’s safe,
including chief operating officer, chief financial there are no bears [she laughs].
officer, and senior vice president of business AB: Dead or alive, who would you like to see perform live in
development. From Seward and a shareholder of concert?
Minich: There’s so many I could choose from—I’m a music
the Alaska Native Corporation herself, Minich is person; I much prefer to listen to music than watch TV or
intimately familiar with the values that drive the anything like that. I’m gonna have to say, I would love to see
The Eagles in concert.
company’s success.
AB: What’s your greatest extravagance?
Alaska Business: What do you do in your free time? Minich: Oh boy. Well a splurge I have would be my 1969
Sophie Minich: In my free time I spend quality time with my Camaro.
sweetheart and my kids. My kids are teenagers so they’re
often doing their own thing as teenagers do. We love to fish AB: What are you superstitious about?
and golf, go camping, traveling… 2020 has us exploring Alaska Minich: I’m Alaska Native and my
and seeing places we haven’t seen before. mom is where I get that from. She was
raised in Fort Yukon and grew up in
AB: Is there a skill you’re currently developing or have always a time where being an Alaska Native
wanted to learn? wasn’t a popular thing, she didn’t
Minich: Oh my gosh, I’d have to say going back to my golf have warm and fuzzy feelings—she
game. And I’d love to learn to hit my irons better—I’m fairly wasn’t proud about it. So, she
inconsistent [she laughs], but I’m determined to do better. didn’t really put a lot of our
culture on us, she didn’t share
AB: What’s the most daring thing you’ve ever done? a lot of it. But one thing that’s
Minich: So one time on a trip with my kids… I took them always resonated with me,
ziplining ‘cause they really wanted to go, and we went up to she told me when I was a
the first tower and my kids just bailed off, and I stood there young girl to never look an
absolutely terrified thinking, “What mom would let her kids owl in the eye. And if you did
jump off a 40-foot tower?” And finally, the guy just looked that, death was soon to come
at me and said, “You know, you do have to jump, right?" to somebody close by. So, to
[she laughs]. And I’d say secondly going fishing with bears this day, I never look an owl
nearby—as I’ve said before, I am absolutely terrified of bears. in the eye.
AB: What’s your go-to comfort food? AB: What is your best and
Minich: Hmm, this is kind of a tough one. How about tapioca worst attribute?
pudding. It reminds me a lot of my youth. I grew up down in Minich: I feel my best
Seward. My Grandma used to make it. attribute is my smile. If
I’m smiling you know
AB: Other than your current career, if you were a kid today, I’m happy, all is well, and
what would your dream job be? hopefully it brings a smile
Minich: Oh, this is easy. I’d like to be something in the to your face. My worst
medical field. I’ve always been intrigued by medicine, I think attribute… I take on too
it goes with my personality in genuinely caring and trying to much and don’t ask others
make others feel better. for help.
ADVERTISERS INDEX
Afognak Leasing LLC.................... 21 Cape Fox Corporation................103 Lynden Inc..................................129 Stallone's....................................... 78
alutiiq.com capefoxcorp.com lynden.com stallonesmenswear.com
Ahtna Inc.....................................105 Carlile Transportation Material Flow & Stantec........................................ 133
ahtna.net Systems....................................... 113 Conveyor Systems, Inc...............125 stantec.com
carlile.biz akflow.com
Ahtna Infrastructure & Stellar Designs Inc........................ 12
Technologies LLC....................... 137 Central Environmental Inc...........59 Medical Park Family Care, Inc...... 97 stellar-designs.com
ahtnainfrastructure.com cei-alaska.com mpfcak.com
Technipress...................................50
Airport Equipment Rentals.........147 Chugach Alaska Corp...................39 MT Housing Inc............................ 25 tpress.net
airportequipmentrentals.com chugach.com mthousing.net
The Megan Room
Alaska529...................................... 15 CIRI................................................ 97 MTA............................................... 93 Conference & Events Center.......65
Alaska529Plan.com ciri.com mtasolutions.com themeganroom.com
Alaska Communications................ 3 NANA Regional Corp.................... 77 UA Local 375
CN Aquatrain.............................. 115
acsalaska.com nana.com Plumbers & Pipefitters.................. 27
cn.ca/aquatrain
ualocal375.org
Alaska Executive Search (AES)... 135 NCB...............................................49
Coastal Transportation Inc........ 117
akexec.com ncb.coop Udelhoven Oilfield
coastaltransportation.com System Services Inc...................... 23
Alaska Mergers & Acquisitions.....22 New Horizons Telecom, Inc........ 31
Color Art Printing Inc................... 47 udelhoven.com
fink@alaska.net nhtiusa.com
colorartprinting.com Ukpeagvik Inupiat Corp. (UIC)..... 37
Alaska Miners Association............ 41 Northern Air Cargo........... 140, 141
Colville, Inc................................... 79 uicalaska.com
alaskaminers.org nac.aero
colvilleinc.com Umialik Insurance Company........50
Alaska Native Tribal Health Northrim Bank............................ 121
Conrad-Houston www.umialik.com
Consortium.................................148 northrim.com
anthc.org Insurance Agency......................... 23 United Way of Anchorage.............. 9
chialaska.com Oles Morrison liveunitedanchorage.org
Alaska Railroad Rinker & Baker LLP..................... 127
Real Estate Division...................... 61 Construction Machinery US Ecology.................................. 131
oles.com
alaskarailroad.com/real-estate Industrial......................................... 2 Usecology.com
cmiak.com Pacific Pile & Marine...................139
Alaska School Activities Association pacificpile.com Valdez Convention & Visitors
(ASAA)...........................................89 Credit Union 1............................... 55 Bureau...........................................29
asaa.org cu1.org Parker Smith & Feek................... 111 valdezalaska.org
psfinc.com
Alaska Traffic Company.............107 Cruz Companies........................... 57 Vitus Energy LLC...........................83
alaskatraffic.com cruzconstruct.com PDC Inc. Engineers.................... 119 vitus-energy.com
pdceng.com
Alaska Travel Industry Association Delta Constructors.......................90 Watterson Construction..............63
(ATIA)............................................. 33 Perfectionist Auto wccak.com
deltaconstructors.net
alaskatia.org Sound & Security.......................... 19
Dorsey & Whitney LLP.................. 67 perfectionistautosound.com Yukon Equipment Inc.................123
Alaska USA dorsey.com yukoneq.com
Federal Credit Union.................... 35 Personnel Plus.............................. 78
alaskausa.org Doyon Limited..............................45 perplus.com
doyon.com
Altman Rogers & Co..................... 11 Petro Marine.................................95
First National Bank Alaska.............. 5 petromarineservices.com While there are many
altrogco.com
fnbalaska.com reasons to subscribe,
Anchorage Chrysler Dodge.........85 PIP Marketing Signs Print............. 71
anchoragechryslercenter.com Foss Maritime................................ 51 pip.com we’ll list just three:
foss.com
Anchorage Convention PND Engineers Inc.......................49
Centers.......................................... 32 Fountainhead Hotels....................84 pndengineers.com 1. Connect with Alaska
anchorageconventioncenters.com fountainheadhotels.com Business Leaders
Polaris Law Group PC.................. 41
Arctic Information Gana-A' Yoo Ltd.......................... 101 lawpolaris.com
Technology..................................... 7 ganaayoo.com
Resource Development Council 2. Gain Important Insight
arcticit.com
Great Northwest Inc.....................69 (RDC).............................................20 and Information
Arctic Slope Regional Corp. grtnw.com akrdc.org
(ASRC)......................................... 101
Great Originals Inc..................... 117 Samson Tug & Barge....................22
3. Enjoy Award-Winning
asrc.com
greatoriginals.com samsontug.com
ARCTOS Alaska – NORTECH.......80 Journalism and Design
HDL Consulting Schwabe, Williamson
nortechegr.com
Engineers, LLC............................ 127 & Wyatt.......................................... 13
AT&T.............................................. 17 hdlalaska.com schwabe.com/greetings-from-alaska
att.com
JAG Alaska - Sealaska Corp...............................99
Avis Rent-A-Car............................ 81 Seward Shipyard.........................124 sealaska.com
avisalaska.com JAGAlaska.com
Seatac Marine Service................ 119
Bering Straits Native Corp............43 JEFFCO Inc................................... 11 seatacmarine.com
beringstraits.com jeffcogrounds.com
Sitnasuak Native Corp.................. 73
Bristol Bay Native Corp. BBNC.... 87 Junior Achievement of Alaska..... 75 snc.org
bbnc.net juniorachievement.org/web/ja-alaska/
Southeast Alaska Regional Health
Calista Corp.................................. 91 Kloosterboer Dutch Harbor.......109 Consortium (SEARHC)................ 51
akbizmag.com/subscribe
calistacorp.com kloosterboer.com searhc.org

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