Alaska Business Monthly

Browse past and current articles from this publication.

'Humdinger' of a year: 2006 great year for mining industry.(2006 Mining Special Section)
Let me start by apologizing for those projects not mentioned in this report: space limitations make it impossible to print the 15-page tome I had prepared for this special mining section. What remai . . .

Pogo cranking up to full production: about 40,000 ounces of gold will be produced each year.(2006 Mining Special Section)
While Pogo, located on the Goodpaster River, 50 miles northeast of the Delta Junction has, "for short periods," reached its daily design rate of 2,500 tons of gold ore (gold is the sole mineral prod . . .

Nixon Fork reopens: Mystery Creek moved into the construction phase this past summer, after receiving state and federal permits
The future looked dim in 1999 for the future of the Nixon Fork gold and copper mine, a remote underground hard-rock operation located about 35 miles northeast of McGrath in western Interior Alaska. . . .

Alaska diamonds: a glitter of hope resides in Alaska's mining fields.(2006 Mining Special Section)
Though Alaska lives long in the public memory as the place of golden promises, it's the sparkle of diamonds that leads some modern-day prospectors north. Alaska is among locations nationwide and in . . .

Mining development: like 'building a city': Calista Corp. has been long involved in natural resource development, and mining ope
Calista Corp. has had an eye toward mineral exploration and development from the earliest days of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act land selection process. In the early 1970s, when land was be . . .

2006 mining directory.(Directory)
Andover Ventures Inc. Mike England, Pres./CEO Suite 1220-789 West Pender St. Vancouver, Canada V5C 1H2 Phone: 604-683-3995 Fax: 604-683-3988 E-Mail: mike@andoverventures.com Web Site: ww . . .

NovaGold pushes forward despite obstacles: a 'David and Goliath' battle rages with high stakes.(2006 Mining Special Section)
One of Alaska's most active and successful gold prospectors in recent years is transitioning to producer status, with the start of construction this fall of its mid-sized, open-pit gold mine in the . . .

Powering Alaska mines: getting inexpensive energy to mines in Alaska is one of the toughest challenges they face.(2006 Mining Sp
At the Greens Creek Mine on Admiralty Island, a steel cylinder larger than an H1 Hummer grinds basketball-sized rocks to small pebbles. A second, smaller mill grinds the pebbles down to a powder bef . . .

Alaska Miners Association: the mining industry in Alaska is a billion-dollar business.(2006 Mining Special Section)
With world-class mineral deposits, Alaska's major mines exhibit showcase examples of modern mining. Alaska's mining industry has grown to become a billion-dollar business and remained so for the l . . .

Status of the mineral industry: 2006 is shaping up to be a banner year for minerals in Alaska. During 2005, 12 companies spent m
International prices for mineral commodities and coal are continuing to be strong and are the driving force for the mining industry worldwide, including Alaska. Alaska mines already in operation, ad . . .

Outsourcing IT: outsourcing saves money in some cases, but is the savings worth the costs? Outsourcing to India is nothing forei
Whether you like it or not, information technology (IT) is a critical part of your business, and your ability to compete is directly tied to your organization's ability to manage and process informa . . .

Planning for peace of mind: life and disability insurance can help individuals, businesses prepare for the future.
Nobody can predict the future. But there are things that people can do to help protect themselves from work-limiting illnesses or injuries, or to provide for their families after their deaths. Inves . . .

Coaching your CEO toward improved delegation: a step-by-step approach to bettering your business.
The CFO is often the CEO's most trusted subordinate; the one to whom the CEO vents; the one with whom the CEO shares highly sensitive information; the one in whom the CEO honestly confides. In suc . . .

Shine business shine: annual reports bring company financials to life.
Each year, thousands of publicly traded companies publish glossy annual reports to provide investors and the general public information about their business history, current performance and plans fo . . .

Going above ... and beyond: Alaska's cargo companies find innovative ways to serve rural communities.
Though there are many advantages to living in rural Alaska, choosing to reside in such out-of-the-way places also creates unique challenges for residents of the state's smaller Bush communities. Fin . . .

Stretching a Polar Bear: a larger craft means more cargo, which means more revenue.(Alaska Marine Transport and Salvage Inc.)
Peter Schwarz, president and CEO of Alaska Marine Transport & Salvage Inc., is not your average 66-year-old entrepreneur. Devoted to life at sea, he has owned several vessels, two of which he design . . .

Technology to the rescue: satellite wells and horizontal drilling extends the life of Alaska's oil fields.
The best direction to reach black gold is not always straight down. With the high cost of oil, petroleum companies are always looking for better ways to suck the last drop of crude from mother earth . . .

Salute to Veteran Mary Louise Rasmuson: Mary Louise Rasmuson, wife of the late Elmer Rasmuson whose legacy is National Bank of A
While the country was still reeling from the attack on Pearl Harbor, more than 100 women began examinations in the Salvation Army building in Pittsburgh, Penn. It was 1942, and across America 35,000 . . .

The melting pot: diversity or dilemma? It is the working together, the mutual respect for each other's rights, and the tolerance
We are a country founded of dissidents, idealists and adventurers. Many waves of immigrants have washed across this land depending on the economic and political backdrop of the global scene over the . . .

CIRI develops entertainment center.(CIRI Inc.)(Brief article)
CIRI is developing a retail and entertainment center in Anchorage on the northwest corner of the intersection of Muldoon Road and the Glenn Highway. It will feature national retailers, including maj . . .

Kids Wish Network brings hope to Alaska.(APPLAUSE)(Brief article)
Hundreds of sick children will soon receive something to make their time at the hospital a little easier: new toys. This year, Alaska Native Medical Center will be the recipients of Holiday of Hope . . .

New prison announced in Mat-Su Borough.(CONSTRUCTION)(Brief article)
Gov. Frank H. Murkowski said the Department of Corrections, the Matanuska-Susitna Borough and the Alaska Housing Finance Corp. (AHFC) have entered into an agreement to construct a major prison compl . . .

Anadarko acquires Kerr-McGee and Western Gas.(OIL & GAS)
Anadarko Petroleum Corp. (NYSE: APC) recently announced it has agreed to acquire Kerr-McGee Corp. (NYSE: KMG) and Western Gas Resources Inc. (NYSE: WGR) in separate all-cash transactions totaling $2 . . .

APS seeks public stock offering.(SPORTS)
Alaska Professional Sports Inc., owner of Alaska Wild, an Anchorage-based arena football team, has filed registration with the state of Alaska for a public offering of its common stock made through . . .

Grainger opens expanded showroom.(WHOLESALE)
Grainger, a supplier of facilities maintenance supplies to businesses, recently opened a new, expanded showroom at the company's branch, located at 6240 B Street in Anchorage. Grainger has been a . . .

From Armistice Day to Veterans Day.(From the Publisher)
The 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month.... It was "Armistice Day" in 1918 and celebrated the armistice (truce) that ended the fighting between the allies and Germany in World War I. Whi . . .

Active Rotary rigs throughout Alaska and the United States (June 2005 to June 2006).(Alaska Trends for October 2006)
The Baker Hughes North American Rotary Rig Count is a calculation of the drilling rigs that are actively searching for, or developing, oil and natural gas throughout the United States and Canada. . . .

CRW Engineering Group: 25 years of success: this engineering firm has spread its wings across the state, and has generated about
CRW Engineering Group has its fingerprints all over Alaska and its silver anniversary cake as well. The Anchorage-based engineering firm celebrated its 25th year of doing business with and in the . . .

High-tech health care in rural Alaska: telemedicine can greatly improve rural Alaskans' health and quality of life.
Ever-improving technology has shrunken the world remarkably. Even remote places aren't quite as far removed from the rest of humanity anymore, thanks to the Internet, extensive transportation networ . . .

Still competitive at 60: this Alaskan-owned company promotes quality products with good customer service.
Arctic Office Products, claiming the title of the largest independent office-supply company in Alaska, is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year. Many would agree it is a major accomplishment to . . .

Succession planning: how small businesses can prepare for the unexpected before it happens.
Starting a new business takes hard work and optimism. While it is important to be optimistic, it is equally important to be realistic. One of the realities is that the business owner and founder mig . . .

A success story: Louise Bourcier of First National Bank Alaska: this ladder-climber is helping multi-family homebuyers meet thei
At an age when most girls read fashion magazines and think about which college to go to, Louise Bourcier started her career in banking. Going from high school to the coveted corner office started wi . . .

Making a difference: city and state boards and commissions are a good place to start.
Okay, so you're a business owner and disagree with some of the decisions being made by your local and state officials. And, you have some great ideas, but have no inclination to run for office.... W . . .

Alaska-Puget Sound partnership beneficial to both communities: two-way trade helps states, cities to grow.
For more than 100 years, Alaska has relied on the Puget Sound area to provide goods and services to the 49th state. From early gold rush pioneers who bought and transported their supplies from Seatt . . .

Through thick and thin, he never gave up: 'I shall return ...' and that, Ted Sadtler did.(Ted Sadtler, founder of Mattress Ranch
Fortitude, tenacity and hard work are the three professors at is almamater--the college of hard knocks. It took him two tries to finish the seventh grade, and after completing the eighth grade, he l . . .

Cancer screening and awareness: it's not a death sentence anymore, thanks to preventive care and early detection methods.
The Centers for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC) states that cancer is the nation's second most common cause of death. The Atlanta-based organization also states that U.S. Health care providers . . .

Bill Sheffield receives lifetime achievement award: whatever he does in the business world, he does it well.
Even in the '50s, Alaska tourism was a dream of one future hotel entrepreneur who built the Sheffield Hotel Chain, one of Alaska's early empires. Sometimes the local flasher zipped in front of tou . . .

The Superior Group: from heating and plumbing to building Alaska, this company has shown growth and promise.(Alaska's Top 49ers:
Position This Year: 49 Position Last Year: N/A 2005 Revenues: $35.54 Million Alaska Employees: 105 Worldwide Employees: 105 The 49th position on this year's Top 49ers list is held by The S . . .

Northrim Bank: its focus on 'Customer First,' is a philosophy credited for its growth.(Alaska's Top 49ers: The New Gold Standard
Position This Year: 32 Position Last Year: 40 2005 Revenues: $63.60 Million Alaska Employees: 290 Worldwide Employees: 294 A Journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. This pop . . .

Cape Fox Corp.: this company diversified when faced with difficulties, raising revenues 90 percent from 2004 to 2005.(Alaska's T
Position This Year: 45 Position Last Year: N/A 2005 Revenues: $38 Million Alaska Employees: 156 Worldwide Employees: 438 Dr. Bruce Borup has a saying he uses to define the direction of Cap . . .

Afognak Native Corp.: revenues exceeded $500 million for the Kodiak-based corporation in 2005, driven largely by growth in the c
Position This Year: 7 Position Last Year: N/A 2005 Revenues: $522 Million Alaska Employees: 363 Worldwide Employees: 3,625 Ask how Afognak Native Corp. boosted its revenue in 2005 by 120 p . . .

Alaska's Top 49ers: The New Gold Standard of Business.(Cover story)
The dictionary describes gold as "to shine, to gleam," a valuable and precious commodity that is "highly ductile and malleable," as something "regarded as having value, brilliance, etc." These wor . . .

A head brew: Alaskan Brewing Company celebrates 20 years of success: from a meager start to expanding Outside, this company is m
In 2006, the Alaskan Brewing Co. celebrates its 20th anniversary as Alaska's premier beer-brewing facility. Years ago, co-founders Geoff and Marcy Larson sat discussing ways to make a living in Alas . . .

Quick tips for eliminating computer threats: don't fear spyware, adware, viruses and such. There are simple ways to protect your
The scene was Ketchikan in August and the circumstance was a customer signing up for a new storage unit at a local self-storage company. The office manager apologized for the slow speed of the compa . . .

Silverhook Alaska Coffee fills market niche; homegrown coffee company expands its markets and increases revenues by 300 percent.
When Jonathan White heads to his office each morning on Brayton Drive, he knows his best day of work will likely amount to a hill of beans. Make that several hills of beans--a scenario that not on . . .

ASCG Inc.(Right Moves)(Engineering News-Record)(Brief article)(Company rankings)
For the first time, Alaska-based ASCG Inc. has made Engineering News-Record's (ENR's) Construction Management Top 100 list. ASCG Inc. is listed No. 47 in the annual rankings for construction managem . . .

Credit Union 1.(Right Moves)
Credit Union 1 has promoted Donna LaPella to administrative services manager, Amy Stanard to Eagle River Branch manager, and the hiring of Tom Mason as vice president of Finance. LaPella has worke . . .

Big Brothers Big Sisters.(Right Moves)(Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southeast Alaska honored)(Brief article)
Big Brothers Big Sisters of America honored Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southeast Alaska (BBBS) with its 2006 CEO of the Year award during the BBBS national conference in Indianapolis, Ind. Agency e . . .

RIM Architects.(Right Moves)
RIM Architects has added Bryce Hamels as a new intern architect of its Anchorage office. He previously was working in RIM's San Francisco office and has transferred permanently. Hamels brings two . . .

Walsh Sheppard Flynn.(Right Moves)
Walsh Sheppard Flynn, a marketing communications firm, hired Carol Richards as creative director. Richards brings to the firm extensive professional experience as a graphic designer and art director . . .