Alaska Business Monthly articles from March 2002

Alaska Business Monthly archives from March 2002

Business after Enron. (From the Publisher).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... Along with several other sectors, business also has taken it in the chops of late. Six months after the dastardly deeds of 9-11 when so many hundreds of thousands of lives were turned around and upside down, and so many lost loved ones,...

The Alaska Almanac celebrates 25th anniversary. (General).(advertisement)
March 1, 2002... For 25 years, sourdoughs, cheechakos, travelers, students and writers have trusted The Alaska Almanac to provide facts on many things Alaskan. The totally updated 25th anniversary edition of the almanac is now available and has witty asides...

Juneau Racquet Clubs merge with the Alaska Club Network. (General).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... The Alaska Club Network has merged with Juneau Racquet Club-Valley and Juneau Racquet Club-Downtown, network officials said. The health club network's 40,000 members can now use the clubs in Juneau, Anchorage, Fairbanks, Eagle River and the...

Pacific Tower Properties and H & R Management merge. (Real Estate).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... Pacific Tower Properties Inc. and H & R Management Inc. have merged their two commercial real estate brokerage, management and leasing companies. The new company will be named Pacific Tower Properties Inc. and will continue managing and...

Northrim Bank becomes subsidiary of Northrim BanCorp Inc. (Finance).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... Northrim Bank completed its reorganization into a wholly owned subsidiary of a new holding company, Northrim BanCorp Inc., (NASDAQ: NRIM). The shares of common stock began trading on NASDAQ under the same symbol, NRIM. Under the terms of...

FNBA provides credit card services to state. (Finance).(First National Bank Alaska)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... The State of Alaska has entered into a long-term contract with First National Bank Alaska to provide credit card services for state agencies. Jim Duncan, commissioner of the State Department of Administration, said the six-year contract...

Credit Union 1 offers new services. (Finance).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... Credit Union 1 has a new investment services program in place at all branches. Members can now invest in mutual funds, stocks, bonds, tax-deferred annuities and more. The program is offered in conjunction with Financial Network Investment...

Small businesses shy away from tax increases. (Small Business).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... As lawmakers cast about for ways to cope with the demands from an increasing population, declining oil revenues and dwindling budget reserves, the state's largest small-business advocacy group has released a temperature reading of its members...

Pacific Alaska Forwarders has new Fairbanks facility. (Transportation).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... Pacific Alaska Forwarders Inc. has opened a new facility in Fairbanks. The building is located at 3351 Koba Way, off of Peger Road, and continues to offer technological advances, bar code scanning, e-tracing and computer generated shipping...

NY Waterway orders five high-speed ferries Allen Marine Inc. (Transportation).(Brief Article)(Company Profile)
March 1, 2002... NY Waterway has ordered five high-speed ferries from Allen Marine Inc. of Sitka expects have the new boats in service by June. NY Waterway has ordered a total of 14 Allen Marine ferries. "To meet the urgent need of met ropolitan area...

Juneau GuestHouse Inn & Suites renamed Aspen Hotel. (Tourism).(Brief Article)(Company Profile)
March 1, 2002... Juneau GuestHouse Inn & Suites has changed its name to Aspen Hotel of Juneau. The Juneau hotel opened in May 2000 and was the first property for the expanding hotel chain, which operates hotels in the state under its own name as well as the...

Cook Inlet ripe for oil and gas exploration.(Industry Overview)(Company Profile)(Statistical Data Included)
March 1, 2002... It houses the states oldest oil and gas fields, and producers are still betting on new finds to enhance an already productive area. Long-established producers and aggressive independent operators are both taking a new look at Alaska's...

Peak Oilfield Service Co: A far reach.(Brief Article)(Company Profile)
March 1, 2002... This company invests in exploration and development programs from the North Slope to Cook Inlet to Russia. About 10 years ago, Peak Oilfield Service Co. made a move to Cook Inlet, opening up a secondary branch of the company's North Slope...

Right moves.(appointments)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... Kenal Conv. & Visitors Bureau Ricky Gease was hired as the new executive director of the Kenai Convention and Visitors Bureau, replacing Kathy Tarr who resigned recently to pursue a degree in creative nonfiction writing at the University...

The 10 most important things to understand about Alaska's economy.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
March 1, 2002... Alaska's economy is changing with the times. What changes are occurring? And what are the most important things Alaskans should understand about our economy? Here is my list of the 10 most important things we need to understand to make informed...

Events calendar.
March 1, 2002... MARCH ANCHORAGE 1-2 Mobius Presented by the Alaska Dance Theatre, Moblus symbolizes the constant flow of movement and energy. Celebrating its 17th season, shows are scheduled at the Alaska Center for the Performing Arts for Friday...

The Pillar Mountain Golf Classic: Golfing Kodiak-style has its own set of hazards. (Alaska this Month).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... Tiger Woods hasn't tackled this course yet, but Kodiak Island's annual golf extravaganza might make even a seasoned golfer like him think twice before stepping up to the tee. After all, the putting green is made of green Jell-O. Those who...

Managing professionals. (Required Reading).
March 1, 2002... First Among Equals: How to Manage a Group of Professionals By Patrick J. McKenna and David H. Maister The Free Press New York, N.Y. (Scheduled for release in April 2002) 270 pages, $26.00 Television presents us with more...

'Not just another pretty face': Two women find success in a male-dominated field. North Wind Environmental Inc.(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... When Sylvia Medina and Kim Kearney flew to Washington, D.C., last year to accept the Region 10 Small Business Administration Subcontractor of the Year award, they felt a sense of pride, honor and maybe a little vindication. Medina and...

CCI: A clean advantage; This company makes its profits in cleaning up environmental spills--and no job is too large or too difficult.(CCI Inc.)(Brief Article)(Company Profile)
March 1, 2002... Jon Lervig was starting to think he'd seen it all in his years working in environmental cleanup. Lervig works for the environmental company CCI Inc. as its North Slope operations manager. In running a major oil field operation, accidents...

The business of the Iditarod: This Last Great Race has year-round economic impact on some communities.(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... In 1925, the predecessor of the modern-day Iditarod took the form of 20 dog teams relaying over 647 miles to deliver a lifesaving serum to the people of Nome who were poised to wage war against a full-blown diphtheria epidemic. Seventy-seven...

Businesses face a tight real estate market: There is a shortage of office space in the state's largest city.(Industry Overview)
March 1, 2002... If your children are planning to go into the business of selling lemonade this summer on one of many busy street corners in Anchorage, chances are good that space will be available. But if you're going to be looking into a building on one of...

A helping hand: Native nonprofits benefit shareholders in a multitude of ways--from providing jobs to preserving culture. (Alaska Native Business News).(Company Profile)(Industry Overview)
March 1, 2002... It's been 30 years since the U.S. Congress signed the unprecedented Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act that established the 13 regional Native corporations that changed the lives of more than 100,000 Alaska Natives and the way to do business...

Bright spots in Alaska business: Alaska Native corporations support themselves and the state economy through diverse holdings. (Alaska Native Business News).(Chenega Corp.)(Ciri Inc. study)(Company Profile)(Statistical Data Included)(Industry Overview)
March 1, 2002... When the leaders of the ALASKA NATIVE corporation Chenega three devised its latest fiscal plan three years ago, they started with a couple of basic assumptions about the future: new buildings would always be needed and the world would become...

Cook Inlet Region Inc.: This Alaska Native regional corporation is a modern-day success story. (Alaska Native Business News).(Company Profile)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... In 2000, Christmas came twice for I Cook Inlet Region Inc. shareholders. In late December, the ALASKA Native regional corporation announced a $500-per-share dividend payout. The payout meant most of its 6,200 shareholders who each hold an...

Koniag Inc.: From the worst of times to the best of times, this native corporation has seen it all. (Alaska Native Business News).(Company Profile)(Statistical Data Included)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... In the best of times, corporations are like families who share in the successes and challenges of business. Family feuds also are the bitterest of battles. Kodiak-based Koniag Inc. has seen its share of challenges and feuds. Only in the...

NANA Regional Corp.: Creating lobs for shareholders has been a goal of NANA from its inception. (Alaska Native Business News).(Brief Article)(Company Profile)(Statistical Data Included)
March 1, 2002... The Inupiat of Northwest Alaska live in two worlds. One world is thousands of years old and encompasses traditions and practices that have been handed down for generations by a people who have endured in one of the world's harshest...

Sealaska Corp.: Hard times have fallen on this native corporation, but there is hope for a brighter future. (Alaska Native Business News).(Company Profile)(Statistical Data Included)
March 1, 2002... In 2001, Sealaska Corp. turned a corner and found itself in a neighborhood it didn't want to visit. The Juneau-based Alaska Native regional corporation reported a loss of $122 million on $72 million in revenues in 2000, including a $41...

A promising future: There is more coal in the state than there is demand right now, but technology and transportation advances may change that.(Industry Overview)
March 1, 2002... Should an especially bad year for the behavior of small children occur, Santa Claus will have no trouble finding enough coal to fill as many sacks as needed, right in his own home state. Alaska has plenty of coal. Some of that coal is used...

Charlie Alasuk Curtis. (BizBuzz).(retires)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... Charlie Alasuk Curtis has retired from his post as president of NANA Regional Corp. He became president in 1992. His resignation was effective Dec. 28, 2001.

First National Bank Alaska. (BizBuzz).(finance)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... First National Bank Alaska reported that loan growth during the fourth quarter generated a 19 percent increase in earnings over the same period' last year, and that the bank's 2001 net income was up 24 percent, highest in the bank's 80-year...

Reeve Aleutian Airways. (BizBuzz).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... Steve Hartung, CPA and former CFO of MarkAir, has replaced Dick Reeve as president of Reeve Aleutian Airways. Morrie Shepherd remains as vice president and controller for RAA.

March Dates of Note. (BizBuzz).
March 1, 2002... 3/27/1964, Good Friday Earthquake, strongest ever in North America; 3/24/1989, Exxon Valdez runs aground spilling 11 million gallons of oil into Prince William Sound; 3/24/2002 Palm Sunday; 3/31/2002 Easter Sunday.

Alaska Railroad. (BizBuzz).(customer service software)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... Alaska Railroad has purchased new "RailRes" software that allows travelers to get instant access to schedules, package and tour information, and pay online capability: www.alaskarailroad.com.

David Cottrell. (BizBuzz).(acquisitions)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... David Cottrell, CPA, president and managing partner of Mikunda, Cottrell & Company, has announced that three local firms have joined the company. They are: Robert Meyer and Associates PC, (Bruce) Brunsvold & Company and (Michael) Harahan &...

Craig Taylor Equipment Co. (BizBuzz).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... Craig Taylor Equipment Co. has become the Alaska distributor for Komatsu America International Co. Founded in 1954, CTE has offices in Anchorage, Fairbanks, Soldotna and Wasilla. Komatsu is the, second-largest supplier of construction equipment...

The Chariot Group. (BizBuzz).(videoconference suite)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... The Chariot Group has opened Alaska's first videoconference suite, available for rent to the public. See it in Anchorage at 2600 Denali St., Suite 102 or call 907-222-5300.

Words to Live By. (BizBuzz).
March 1, 2002... "If it is not in the interest of the public, it is not in the interest of business. Joseph H. Defrees

Chugach Electric Association. (BizBuzz).(online services)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... Chugach Electric Association has introduced an online home energy audit service called "eValuRater." CEA Manager Gene Bjornstad says the program is designed to help consumers find ways to make their homes and businesses more energy- and...

Pacific Tower Properties Inc. (BizBuzz).(H and R Management Inc. merger)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... Pacific Tower Properties Inc. and H & R Management Inc., both commercial real estate brokerages/management and leasing companies, have merged. The new company will be called Pacific Tower Properties Inc., and will remain in Anchorage at Denali...

Cranberry Jell-O. (BizBuzz).
March 1, 2002... Cranberry Jell-O is the only kind of Jell-O that contains real fruit.

Pacific Alaska Forwarders Inc. (BizBuzz).(Fairbanks facility)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... Celebrating 40 years in business, Pacific Alaska Forwarders Inc. has opened a new facility in Fairbanks at 3351 Koba Way, (Just off Peger Road). Providing steamship, barge, rail and over-the-road transport service, PAF has terminals also in...

2002 Alaska Business Monthly Readership Survey. (BizBuzz).(Internet access)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... 97 percent of persons responding to the 2002 Alaska Business Monthly Readership Survey have Internet access.

Alaska Mechanical Inc. (BizBuzz).(distributor for Butler Buildings)
March 1, 2002... Alaska Mechanical Inc., 8540 Dimond D Circle, Anchorage, has become a distributor for Butler Buildings. To see the complete line of pre-engineered metal buildings call John Golick at 907-349-8502.

The Eagle River Branch of Northrim Bank. (BizBuzz).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... The Eagle River Branch of Nothrim Bank has moved from its former Carrs location to the Fire Lake Plaza, located at 12832 Old Glenn Highway. The new facility includes three lanes for drive-up banking, a drive-up ATM and full lobby service.

Security Aviation. (BizBuzz).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... Security Aviation, 3600 International Airport Road, Anchorage, has been awarded contracts to transport personnel and freight to locations in Alaska for the U. S. Air Force, General Dynamics of Elmendorf Air Force Base and the Federal Aviation...

Kroger. (BizBuzz).(top revenue food stores)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... Kroger leads Albertson's and Safeway in annual revenue. National figures for 2001 put Kroger (Fred Meyer, in Alaska) at $50.2 billion, Albertson's collected $37 billion and Safeway (Carrs) came in third at $20.9 billion. In Alaska, Costco,...

Nabors Alaska oil-field services. (BizBuzz).(safety award)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... Operating a total of 902 days without a lost-time accident, Nabors Alaska oil-field services outfit was saluted by the International Association of Drilling Contractors-Alaska Chapter, for safe rig operations in the land and water categories....

Among state, national and international construction concerns. (BizBuzz).(missile defensw contracts)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... Among state, national and international construction concerns recently touring the national missile defense site at Fort Greeley near Delta Junction were Veco Alaska, Jacobs Engineering, Bechtel and Fluor Daniel- Transport entities interested...

March Alaska Trends.(Statistical Data Included)
March 1, 2002... march alaska trends GENERAL Units Period Personal Income -- Alaska Millions of $ 3rdQ01 Personal Income -- United Billions of...