Junior Achievement Alaska Business Hall of Fame Laureate: Ron Duncan: his first business enterprise was selling candy to the oth

Being nominated for the Junior Achievement Alaska Business Hall of Fame is an "inspiring" experience for Ron Duncan, president, CEO and co-founder of General Communications Inc. Not only does it honor him, but it also brings recognition to GCI as a whole. "It acknowledges what GCI has accomplished over the last 25 years," Duncan said.

Duncan considers the JA award a special tribute that associates him with a group of people he highly regards. "It's joining a unique and prestigious group of Alaskans," he said. "It includes a large number of people without whose help I could not be able to succeed.... I'd like to thank JA for the award and its efforts over the decade to prepare young people for business."

Duncan, himself, had early aspirations of entrepreneurship. His first business enterprise was selling candy to the other kids at his school. But his teacher promptly shut him down, so the venture didn't last long. His first "real" job was working at a gas station to make money to buy ski equipment.

Years later, Duncan received a bachelor's degree in economics from Johns Hopkins University and a master's in business administration from Harvard Business School. His penchant for business led him to North Pole where he started a cable TV company called Alaska Vision in the basement of the Santa Claus House.

In 1979, Duncan sold Alaska-Vision and moved to Anchorage, where he and Bob Walp launched GCI from a small apartment. "Bob Walp and I grew it from a little idea more than 25 years ago to the largest telecommunications companies in the state," Duncan said. "It's been a hell of a ride."

IMPACT ON ALASKA

GCI and its subsidiaries provide local and long-distance voice, cable video, data, and Internet communications services to residential and business customers statewide. The company provides service in 175 Alaska communities, as well as digital connections for tele-health and distance education in more than 125 rural villages.

Alaska has experienced tremendous growth in communication services in the last decade. GCI has been an integral part of that development by building two of the three undersea fiber networks that connect Alaska to the rest of the country. This has enabled the company to bring local phone competition to more than 100,000 customers in Anchorage, Fairbanks and Juneau, install new facilities to provide digital and high-definition television to the majority of Alaskans and deliver state-of-the-art high-speed Internet services to 90 percent of the state.

Having spent much of his life building GCI, Duncan is proud of GCI's contributions to Alaska. "The way we've changed the nature of communications really stands out," he explained. "We've invested more than a billion dollars, and we've saved Alaskans hundreds of millions of dollars. We've demonstrated that there can be a competitive market for communications technologies even in rural Alaska."

Duncan also is pleased to see the impact GCI has had on its employees. "One of the rewarding aspects has been watching the growth of others along the way," he said. "We have about 1,300 employees, many of whom have been with us for quite some time."

Duncan has served as GCI's president and chief executive officer since 1989. He previously was the company's executive vice president. In terms of board affiliations, Duncan is the past chairman of the Anchorage Economic Development Corp., and the Alaska Science and Technology Foundation.

Currently, Duncan sits on the board of directors of the National Cable and Telecommunications Association. He also serves on the board of National Business Aviation Association and has a personal interest in aviation. A licensed pilot, Duncan enjoys flying his own jet on business trips.

SUPPORT FOR THE COMMUNITY

GCI feels very strongly about exercising good corporate citizenship. As such, the company feels responsible for supporting worthwhile charities and organizations that contribute to the quality of life for all Alaskans.

GCI is a major contributor to dozens of organizations and charities throughout Alaska. It is perhaps best known as a major sponsor of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. GCI also has been a long-time supporter of youth-oriented organizations, such as JA, Alaska Academic Decathlon, Boys and Girls Club, Covenant House and Alaska Junior Theater. Additionally, GCI encourages community service among its employees.

"We give all of our employees two days a year to work on community and charitable activities," Duncan said.

Duncan feels that sustaining youth-focused organizations is essential. After all, the youth of Alaska and of the nation really are our future, he said. "If we want to have a good place to live, we need to support our next generation of leaders," he explained. "It's really an investment in the future, and it's necessary for our social survival."

Duncan advises young people to get the best education and skill sets they possibly can. Having the right attitude is also imperative. "Be optimistic, and don't take no for an answer," he said. "Look for ways to do things differently-and better."

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