Alaska Business Monthly

Browse past and current articles from this publication.

Golden opportunities: Native village corporations demonstrate increased success and share wealth with shareholders and employees
Alaska's economy is benefiting from a new and diverse financial force that has matured in recent years-the 173 Native village corporations that call the Last Frontier home. Created in the early 19 . . .

Clearer signal for GCI: sale boosts company's holdings.
GCI recently bought more than 80 percent of Alaska DigiTel, a cellular company with 33,000 subscribers. Although the deal was announced in late 2005, it took a year to get final FCC approval. The . . .

Prescription for success: new team in airline receives clean bill of health, prepares for take-off.
It would be far too easy to say, "there's a new era at Era." But there is a new era at Era. New owners. New management. New fleet. New start. New life. New Era! Era Aviation Inc. is rising out f . . .

Rebound! Office rental prices hit new heights as high-rises appear on Anchorage horizon.
2006 RECAP In 2006, the Anchorage office market continued to rebound from the increased vacancies and softer market conditions of 2005. The result was continued musical chairs in the midtown area, . . .

Women's Show: free and informative: women have opportunity to learn and grow through show.(Alaska This Month)
Alaska's women have created a lasting mystique as survivors, creators and adventurers through the state's history, such as Iditarod champions and frontier women like the Sisters of Providence who ha . . .

April calendar.(Calendar)
ANCHORAGE 6-8 and 10-16 Stomp An explosive, provocative, sophisticated, sexy, utterly unique show that appeals to audiences of all ages. The eight-member tro . . .

Ukpeagvik Inupiat Corp.: top-of-the-world advantage: from oilfield services, to tourism to 8(a) endeavors, Native village corpor
The key to success for one of Alaska's most profitable Native corporations has been adapting to client needs. For Ukpeagvik Inupiat Corp., that means creating new services for new needs and embracin . . .

The 'essential link': Northland Services has supplied barge transportation service to Alaska for three decades.
"Go With Experience" was first coined in 1977 when James J. Haagen partnered with tugboat companies in LaConnor, Wash., and Wrangell and formed Northland Services. Haagen's goal was to provide cost- . . .

Coeur strikes gold in Alaska; forty-ninth state exceeds mining corporation's expectations.(ALASKA BUSINESS MONTHLY'S 2007 CORPOR
From quality of workmanship to community support and more, Coeur Alaska's experience to date with the Kensington Mine project in Southeast Alaska has been golden. According to Coeur Alaska's vice pr . . .

Carrs/Safeway: life after a merger; initially, times were tough, but now growth is encouraging.(ALASKA BUSINESS MONTHLY'S 2007 C
It's been nearly eight years since the Carrs Gottstein grocery chain in Alaska was bought out by Safeway. Executives, like Safeway's CEO Steven Burd, admitted last year that the company had weathere . . .

The Corporate 100: Alaska's Economic Powerhouses.(ALASKA BUSINESS MONTHLY'S 2007 CORPORATE 100)
With economists fearing an economic slowdown nationwide, and the stock market rising and falling like a roller coaster in recent months, Alaskans are lucky to have strong stable companies investing . . .

Spa aaaaaaaaah: Alaska spas cater to executives.
After a pressure-cooker week of meetings and deadlines, a glass of wine, three Advil and a hot bath--followed by my boyfriend karate chopping the length of my back with a soothing, "Am I hurting you . . .

Kicking paper to the curb.(Brief article)
When is less, more? When it involves Alaska Waste and its curbside recycling program. A pilot program, which has the potential to become citywide, started almost two years ago, has grown to nearly . . .

1-800-GOT-JUNK? Blue wigs turn junk into gold; local franchise is a model business for winter climates.
Lewis and Marisa Garrett, owners of Anchorage's 1-800-GOT-JUNK?, opened their business in April 2006, after buying the business in 2005 and taking the appropriate training in Vancouver, British Colu . . .

Drones ahead: pilotless planes reduce danger and increase efficiency.
Evergreen Helicopters Inc., an Evergreen Aviation International company, is hot on the trail of a budding new industry--operating Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) in conditions deemed hazardous for m . . .

Are Alaska ports safe? Sweeping legislation balances need for protection, while keeping commerce flowing.
The Safe Accountability For Every Port Act (SAFE act, 2006)--now a multifaceted sweeping port-security legislation as of October 2006-will impact Alaska ports and customers on many levels. The obj . . .

Close friends: distant neighbors: Northwest ports key to Alaska's livelihood.(Cover story)
Alaska's position on the map serves it well in times of economic fluctuation. For good and bad, the state is often isolated from trends and factors influencing the Lower 48 economy. Similarly, some . . .

Gasline Port Authority and ANGDA sign agreement.(AGREEMENTS)
The Alaska Gasline Port Authority (AGPA) and the Alaska Natural Gas Development Authority (ANGDA) recently formalized a relationship between the two voter-approved entities via a Memorandum of Under . . .

New tug arrives in Cook Inlet.(OIL & GAS)
Cook Inlet Regional Citizens Advisory Council said Tesoro Alaska will bring a new tractor tug into service to assist oil tankers at the KPL dock in Nikiski. Cook Inlet RCAC has discussed the need . . .

Alaska Wild partners with Anchorage Indoor Flag Football.(SPORTS)(Brief article)
Alaska Wild has secured a partnership with the Anchorage Indoor Flag Football League (AIFFL), a recreational five-on-five noncontact league played at the Cellular One Sports Center in Anchorage. T . . .

North of 60.(From the Publisher)
Alaska is a very good place to do business and our North Slope oil patch partners know that all too well. In the latest round of disparaging remarks spewing forth from Rex Tillerson, the two-year- . . .

Alaska trends for March 2007 sponsored by American Fast Freight.(Statistical table)
ALASKA TRENDS FOR MARCH 2007 SPONSORED BY AMERICAN FAST FREIGHT Indicator Units Period GENERAL Personal Income - Alaska Millions of $ . . .

North slope spot price decreasing: (Jan. 24, 2006, to Jan. 30, 2007): Alaska trends, an outline of significant statewide statist
Overall, the North Slope Spot Price decreased in the past last year. As of Jan. 30, 2007, the North Slope Spot Price was $54.37 per barrel, compared to just $58.46 in January 2006. This denotes a 16 . . .

NASA space shuttle becomes floating classroom: long-distant learning unlocks career opportunities for Alaskans.
As NASA Pilot William Oefelein became the first Alaskan in space last December, Alaskans were the only students in the world who were able to speak directly to the entire crew of STS-116 while they . . .

You can hear me now! Cell phone technology: curse or lifesaver?
GINGRICH AND HILTON, STRANGE BEDFELLOWS Ask any passerby with a cell phone in his or her ear what a cell phone, Newt Gingrich and Paris Hilton share in common. Most likely the conversation will tu . . .

Staffing agencies: quick fix or long-term solution: don't panic. Help is at your fingertips.
It's 7:32 a.m. and your receptionist hasn't shown up. Finally, five minutes before the office opens, she calls in sick. What can you do? Many Alaska employers call a temporary agency to bridge the . . .

Alaska Pacific University: small school, big program: Anchorage institution offers students topnotch MBA degree.
If you need a career lift and are looking for a master's in business administration with an edge, Alaska Pacific University might be worth checking out. Whatever your views of those dizzying college . . .

Going to the dogs: not all of the business from The Last Great Race is on the trail.
Do not pass "GO." Do not collect $200. Land on the "Free Parking" space and it's possible to rake in all the extra loot at the expense of other players' misfortune. Not much is different between the . . .

Medical blues: many factors impact increasing health care costs in Alaska.
Since 1991, heath care spending in Alaska has escalated from $1.6 billion to $5.3 billion-a 230 percent increase. Per-person spending for Alaskans increased 176 percent, going from $2,884 to $7,970. . . .

A burning issue: Bush energy costs rising: utility costs now amount to more than a third of income among low-income households i
As the promise of spring blooms on the horizon, Alaska residents statewide sigh in the relief of managing yet another winter-one that somehow seemed longer due to periods of occasional plunging temp . . .

First Alaskans Institute: a helping hand to natives: teaching business skills, leadership and even etiquette, programs exist to
Among university internships across Alaska, the one offered by First Alaskans Institute stands out for its effort to straddle the fine line between cultures. Created in 2003, the internship program . . .

Environmental jobs on upswing: the push for the gas line promises even more hope to environmental services firms.
Pipeline corrosion problems and a surge in mining, transportation and other development projects are pushing a growing demand for environmental services, according to some Alaska companies. "We're . . .

2007 corporate travel directory: corporate travel.(Directory)
Auto Rental COMPANY Top Executive Alamo Rent-A-Car Chris Sadler, Operations Mgr. 6450 Airport Way Fairbanks, AK 99709 Phone: 451-8234 Fax: 451-895 . . .

Corporate travel: Bush and beyond: it isn't easy flying to rural Alaska communities to conduct business.
Travel across Alaska is unlike travel anywhere else in the country. Going between Alaska's three largest communities is much like travel between big cities anywhere, but travel beyond Anchorage, Fai . . .

Flying the friendly skies? Many businesses rely on travel agencies to do their walking, despite do-it-yourself online offers.
Thirty years ago, businesses had no choice about using a travel agency to book their travel, said Don Williams, co-owner of Quality Travel Service in Anchorage. Before credit cards were widely used, . . .

Spring Home show a haven for help: leave winter behind; start thinking about home projects.(Alaska: This Month)
Whether it's a deeply rooted ancestral need to change the surroundings of the cave, hut, cabin or home when winter fades--or simply the desire to break free from hibernation--spring is special for A . . .

March calendar.(Calendar)
ANCHORAGE 3 35th Annual Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race More than 1,000 dogs will line up along Fourth Avenue in Anchorage. The Saturday ceremonial start, which begins in Anchorage and ends in Eagl . . .

Gov. Sarah Palin speaks out.(Interview)(Cover story)
On Dec. 4, 2006, Sarah Palin became the 11th governor of Alaska. We spoke with her shortly after she took office to discuss her new position and the issues facing her administration and the future o . . .

Last hope in the last frontier: offshore development key in Alaska.
The waters off Alaska's coasts may be one of the nation's last remaining hopes for substantial oil and gas discoveries. Some Alaskans worry, however, about offshore development. The coastal waters . . .

Chena Hot Springs Resort.(named project of the year by Power Engineering Magazine)(Brief article)
Chena Hot Springs Resort's new geothermal unit was named Project of the Year in the renewables category as part of an international competition with hundreds of submissions. The alternative energy p . . .

UA.(Joe Trubacz joins University of Alaska)(Brief article)
A University of Alaska Fairbanks executive with a long history in finance and accounting was named chief financial officer for UA statewide. Joe Trubacz, UAF's associate vice chancellor of finance a . . .

UAF.(University of Alaska Fairbanks' graduate Katey Walter honored by Council of Graduate Schools)(Brief article)
University of Alaska Fairbanks graduate Katey Walter was selected to receive the nation's most prestigious honor for doctoral dissertations by the Council of Graduate Schools at the organization's 4 . . .

USKH.(Right Moves)
USKH Inc. recently announced the new associates of its firm, recognized by the board of directors. New associates are: Jessica Cederberg, AIA, and Dale Smythe, AIA, architects in the Anchorage off . . .

RIM Design.(appoints Marya Pillifant)(Brief article)
RIM Design LLC added Space Planner Marya Pillifant to its team. She brings four years of design experience to the firm and has a background in space planning and construction. Currently, Pillifant . . .

URS.(appoints Sheyna Wisdom)(Brief article)
URS added Sheyna Wisdom to its Anchorage office. Wisdom recently transferred from San Diego, where she worked as a noise analyst and biologist. As a biologist she has worked on large BLM projects in . . .

Northrim Bank.(Right Moves)
Northrim Bank hired Julie Duby as construction loan officer for construction lending. Duby is responsible for developing and servicing a residential construction loan portfolio. Duby has 23 years of . . .

ACF.(Right Moves)
The board of trustees of Alaska Conservation Foundation (ACF) ended a national search for a new executive director with a unanimous vote of approval for Nick Hardigg. Hardigg left his position as . . .

Blythe CampBell Communications.(Right Moves)
Blythe Campbell opened a speechwriting and presentation-coaching business, Blythe Campbell Communciations, to help companies make more compelling presentations to community organizations, customers . . .

Looking ahead: glass half full? Oil on decline. Alaska must have a gas line.
Looking ahead, we know that Alaska's oil and gas industry is going to look very different 20 years from now. Right now, there are more questions than answers, but even with the uncertainties of Marc . . .

New long-term hospital opens doors.(HEALTH & MEDICINE)
Alaska's first Long-Term Acute Care Hospital (LTACH) invited dignitaries, physicians, staff and those involved in the building's construction for a first look at Anchorage's new $24 million, 60-bed . . .