Alaska Business Monthly

Browse past and current articles from this publication.

Alaska Regional Hospital.(Right Moves)
Mary "Fran" Arseneau, C.P.C. (Certified Professional Coder), has been named assistant ethics and compliance officer at Alaska Regional Hospital. She is the former manager for Quality Assurance and P . . .

Northrim Bank.(Right Moves)
Julee Drennan was hired as assistant vice president and human resources officer and Jay Blury as marketing officer for Northrim Bank. Drennan has nearly 20 years of human resources experience. She . . .

Enterprise Engineering Inc.(Right Moves)
Enterprise Engineering Inc. (EEI) has merged with the staff of Sentec Inc. Sentec will continue providing surveying services at the direction of Michael J. Home, PLS, operating as Sentec Surveying & . . .

Denali Alaskan Federal Credit Union.(Right Moves)
Denali Alaskan Federal Credit Union promoted Erika Williams as its new marketing officer. Williams will be developing school business partnerships, assisting in youth programs growth, promoting comm . . .

Anchorage Chamber of Commerce.(Right Moves)
Bernie Henrie, advertising account manager at Alaska Business Monthly, joined the Anchorage Chamber Ambassadors Committee and was named Ambassador of the Month for August. As Henrie increased her . . .

Small Business Administration.(Right Moves)
Administrator Steven C. Preston of the U.S. Small Business Administration announced the appointment of Oscar Guarderas, of the Alaska Department of Labor & Workforce Development, to the SBA's Nation . . .

Keller Williams Realty Alaska Group.(Right Moves)
Keller Williams Realty, the fourth largest residential real estate firm in the U.S., with more than 570 offices and 70,000 associates, announced in August that it has expanded its growing network to . . .

Never too late for a change: the Mature Alaskans Seeking Skills Training program gives seniors the skills needed in the ever-cha
At the age of 55, Juneau resident Evelyn Kirstine needed a new line of work. A complete knee replacement had left her unable to return to the position she had held for years, lead housekeeper at a h . . .

The SBA 8(a) program: business development leads to success for Alaskan-owned business; the legal aspects of 8(a) and its benefi
In a March 25, 2005, Washington Post article, Congressman Tom Davis (R-VA) reportedly stated, "The purpose of federal procurement is to make sure taxpayers are getting their dollars worth." Recently . . .

Here she comes ... Mrs. Alaska: ABM freelancer takes state title, goes on to nationals.(Michelle Martin)
Michelle Martin, crowned July 22 as Mrs. Alaska America 2006-2007, is more than just a pretty face. The occasional Alaska Business Monthly writer, and full-time clinical therapist with the Anchorage . . .

AOGA turns 40; the Alaska Oil and Gas Association celebrates four decades of being the voice of the industry!
One of Alaska's most venerable trade associations turned 40 this year. The Alaska Oil and Gas Association (AOGA), an organization of the state's oil and gas companies, has been dubbed "the voice of . . .

The history of Alaska oil.(Oil & Gas)
We all know that most of the State of Alaska's income is derived from North Slope oil that flows through the trans-Alaska oil pipeline. Cook Inlet also provides a small amount of royalty income to t . . .

Consuls and honorary consuls open Alaska to world; twenty have been appointed by the government they represent to improve relati
International business plays an important role in the growth and diversification of Alaska's economy. Last year, exports from Alaska to overseas markets totaled $3.6 billion and are expected to incr . . .

Alaska Airlines expands cargo capacity; company invests $100 million to improve fleet, operations.
In a state as large as Alaska, with communities often situated in remote locations, it is almost impossible to underestimate the importance of the cargo industry. Food, equipment and sundries are sh . . .

Valley boon: jobs galore may come to the Valley with a new prison approved by Gov. Murkowski. It may come with a construction bo
When construction of a new prison in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough begins in 2007, it will be the start of the largest construction project in Alaska since the trans-Alaska oil pipeline. And when wo . . .

Education, health and self-sufficiency: top AFN Convention goals: special focus will be on Avian Flu and its possible impact on
The Alaska Federation of Natives Annual Convention returns to Anchorage this month with plans of moving forward on initiatives promoting access to quality education and health care in rural communit . . .

October calendar.(Calendar)
ANCHORAGE 3-4 IT Expo Attend the IT Expo at the Egan Convention Center, with more than 80 hours of presentations by the experts. Live demonstrations and booths for viewing. To register, visit ww . . .

Alternative energy for Southeast Alaska: biomass fuels: wood-burning boilers save money for homes, schools and community buildin
Craig, located on Prince of Wales Island, may soon become known as the community where biomass fuels all started in Alaska. The change to using wood waste or woody biomass to heat private homes, com . . .

New trends emerging in Alaska's forest industry: national concern over the country's growing dependence on oil imports added imp
The high cost of petroleum and the wide availability of renewable wood resources may be combining to bring a new dimension to Alaska's forest products industry. Two years ago, Congress passed a comp . . .

Forms in word: a new concept in government forms: frustration with bureaucracy spawns an Alaskan-owned business.
With a combined 44 years of experience working in the offices of various engineering, environmental, legal and other firms, Lori Jo Oswald and Evelyn Wright had worked with plenty of government form . . .

Shell's return: Shell Oil was a familiar presence in the Alaska oil industry through the latter part of the last century. The co
Though the oil industry was shocked this summer with the announcement by British Petroleum that it would shut down half of its Prudhoe Bay crude oil production to remedy corroded pipelines, a top Sh . . .

Leaders speak out: candidates, legislators weigh in on natural gas contract.
Building a natural gas pipeline to take Alaska's natural gas to market is considered by most Alaskans to be a good idea. The gas pipeline will bring jobs to the people, revenue to the state, and a c . . .

NC Machinery Co. to open new branch.(CONSTRUCTION)
Looking forward to a 2007 opening of its fifth Alaska branch, NC Machinery Chairman and CEO John J. Harnish came to Wasilla for a ground-breaking ceremony and barbecue. Undaunted by a typically drea . . .

Housing Services breaks ground on new project.(CONSTRUCTION)
Anchorage Neighborhood Housing Services (ANHS) broke ground recently, along with Mayor Mark Begich and representatives from HUD, on a new housing project that will provide affordable housing for fam . . .

Globalstar opens sixth station in Alaska.(COMMUNICATION)
Globalstar Inc., headquartered in Milpitas, Calif., opened its sixth North American satellite ground station or gateway. The gateway is located in Wasilla and provides Globalstar voice and data cust . . .

Caught with their britches down: the Wall Street Journal and The Economist.(From the Publisher)
When there's a slow news day, these two publications rejoice at dredging up some cutesy blurbs about the state they love to hate, Alaska. Recently, both journalistic icons have permitted editorial c . . .

Corrections.(Correction notice)
In the August issue, in an article titled "Snow City Cafe," owner Laile Fairbairn was misquoted. She said that Anchorage is an "underserved" community in the restaurant scene. She did not say Anchor . . .

North slope spot price: steadily increasing.(Alaska Trends for September 2006)(Statistical table)
Alaska Trends, an outline of significant statewide statistics, is provided by the University of Alaska Center for Economic Development and sponsored by American Fast Freight. The North Slope Spot . . .

Three generations run successful business: Airport Equipment Rentals Inc. celebrates 20th anniversary.(Company overview)
In 1986, Airport Equipment Rentals Inc. was born of necessity. Twenty years ago, Jerry Sadler owned a construction business and, when the pipeline-fueled economy started to slow down, the company wa . . .

Native corporations invest outside; bring money back to Alaska: trend defies the 'classic business model in Alaska.'.(Alaska Nat
It's the ultimate business role-reversal in the Last Frontier-a large corporation headquartered in Alaska, doing business in the Lower 48, Hawaii, or even in foreign countries, and sending revenues . . .

Winning investment strategies for Native corporations: experts outline keys for making the most profit.(Alaska Native BUSINESS N
Over the past 30 years or so, Native corporations have become a major force in the Alaska economy. Many are among the largest companies in the state, with some running global subsidiaries and mainta . . .

Native Alaskans design new ways to do business successfully: rural Alaska offers business opportunities to creative entrepreneur
Lindarae Shearer made a conscious decision about the kind of business she wanted to create. Her goals were not conventional. She wasn't interested in becoming a millionaire. She wanted to do what ma . . .

Natural resource development key to Native corporations' success: providing benefits to shareholders, and income to the business
When the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) was passed in 1971, it conveyed approximately one-ninth of the state's land to 12 regional Native corporations and 200 local village corporations . . .

Big plans for Eklutna Inc.: Eklutna Inc. will unveil new projects, including partnership with CIRI and ACI.(SPECIAL SECTION: 200
Eklutna Inc. is a Native corporation for the Village of Eklutna (a derivative of Idluytnu), which is located at the mouth of the Eklutna River, about 25 miles northeast of Anchorage. While the Den . . .

Native corporations succeed with women at the helm: three leaders speak out on challenges of running village corporations.(SPECI
Running a Native village corporation is a huge undertaking. In addition to making a profit and providing dividends for shareholders, it also is important for a corporation's chief executive officer . . .

2006 Native Regional Corporations directory.(Directory)
Ahtna Inc. Ken Johns, President and CEO Mile 115 Richardson Hwy. Glennallen, AK 99588 Phone: 822-3476 Fax: 822-3495 E-mail: brebne@ahtna.net Web Site: ahtna-inc.com Shareholders: 1,2 . . .

ASRC names new leader, 2007 start.(Alaska Native: BUSINESS NEWS)(Arctic Slope Regional Corp.)(Brief article)
The Arctic Slope Regional Corp. will begin 2007 under new leadership, as Roberta "Bobbi" Quintavell was selected July 25 to replace retiring president and CEO Jacob Adams. Adams has presided over . . .

13 regional Native corporations in growth spurt overall: combined, they reported revenues of nearly $4 billion, a 20 percent gro
Alaska's 13 Native regional corporations continue to grow, both in incoming revenues and net profits, by providing new career opportunities both here and in other geographic locations and in strengt . . .

Matansuka Maid turns 70: Alaskans and some good management keep Mat Maid alive and well.(Matanuska Maid Dairy)(Company overview)
Alaskans know a good thing when they taste it. That may be one reason why Matansuka Maid has survived to celebrate its 70th anniversary in November. Soon after it started off as a cooperative in 193 . . .

VITA.(Right Moves)
The Wireless Foundation and members of CTIA-The Wireless Association recently honored Dobson Communications customer Joe Otto of Anchorage with a 2006 VITATM Wireless Samaritan Award. Otto was honor . . .

Renewable resources Coalition.(Right Moves)
Scott Brennan joined Renewable Resources Coalition as executive vice president and chief operating officer. Brennan will lead the coalition's work fighting development of the proposed Pebble Mine an . . .

NFIB.(Right Moves)
Juneau entrepreneur Dan MacLeod is the National Federation of Independent Business' state Small-Business Champion of the Year for 2006. The honor was conferred by the Leadership Council of the 3,000 . . .

Cushman Consulting.(Right Moves)
Pamela Cushman started her own consulting business, Cushman Consulting, which provides marketing and business consulting services. Cushman has more than 19 years experience in the architecture/engin . . .

Denali Alaskan FCU.(Right Moves)
Karen Morrissey was re-elected chair of the Denali Alaskan Federal Credit Union board of directors at the group's organizational meeting recently. Morrissey, a 20-year member of the board, has been . . .

Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport.(Right Moves)
Linda Bustamante was named the communications director for the Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport. Bustamante joins the airport staff from PenAir where she served as director of marketing s . . .

Chugach Electric Association.(Right Moves)
Amber Van Treek has been promoted to staff analyst in the finance and business-planning department at Chugach Electric Association. Van Treek formerly held the position of accountant, payables and h . . .

KUAC-TV.(National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences gave them award)(Brief article)
KUAC TV of Fairbanks earned honors at the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Northwest Chapter's 43rd annual Emmy Awards recently in Seattle. KUAC producer/director Aaron Elterman an . . .

CH2M Hill.(Colleen McCarthy appointed as a new senior project manager)(Brief article)
CH2M Hill announced that Colleen McCarthy is a new senior project manager and the new industrial business development leader for its environmental services, energy, and industrial systems clients. M . . .

McDowell Group.(Karen McIntyre, Meilani Schijvens and Casey Campbell appointed as research analysts)(Brief article)
The McDowell Group recently hired three research analysts and opened a Kodiak office, enhancing the research and consulting firm's ability to serve clients in Alaska, Western Canada, and the Pacific . . .

University of Alaska.(Right Moves)
Public policy researcher Scott Goldsmith of the Institute of Social and Economic Research at the University of Alaska Anchorage has been awarded the 2006 Edith R. Bullock Prize for Excellence for hi . . .