Alaska Business Monthly articles from March 2007

Alaska Business Monthly archives from March 2007

Corrections.(Correction notice)
March 1, 2007... In an article titled "Junior Achievement Alaska Business Hall of Fame Laureate: Helvi Sandvick" in the January 2007 issue, NANA was spelled out as Northwest Alaska Native Alaskans. NANA is never spelled out. The correct legal names are NANA...

Tear down the U.S. supreme court building?(From the Publisher)
March 1, 2007... Every so often, writers fall back on a favorite old chestnut: the separation of Church and State. March is one of those times for us. Just call it March Madness, if you like. Recently some interesting points on the topic have come our way...

'Anchorage big wild life,' brand unveiled.(YA HOOEY!)(Brief article)
March 1, 2007... After a year of development, a new Anchorage brand designed to appeal to residents, visitors and the business community was unveiled on Jan. 31 before a crowd of more than 1,000 Anchorage civic and business leaders. The brand, "Anchorage...

Study says money grows on Denali trees.(PARKS)
March 1, 2007... The nonpartisan National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA) recently released a new economic analysis that shows Denali National Park and Preserve provides more than 500 local, non-National Park Service jobs and returns 1.5 times what the...

New long-term hospital opens doors.(HEALTH & MEDICINE)
March 1, 2007... 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 hospital. St. Elias Specialty...

Looking ahead: glass half full? Oil on decline. Alaska must have a gas line.
March 1, 2007... 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 March 2007, we see many of the challenges and the...

Blythe CampBell Communications.(Right Moves)
March 1, 2007... Blythe Campbell opened a speechwriting and presentation-coaching business, Blythe Campbell Communciations, to help companies make more compelling presentations to community organizations, customers and employees. Campbell matches...

ACF.(Right Moves)
March 1, 2007... 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 director of finance and operations of The...

Northrim Bank.(Right Moves)
March 1, 2007... 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 banking experience, and comes to Northrim...

URS.(appoints Sheyna Wisdom)(Brief article)
March 1, 2007... 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 New Mexico and Arizona, USAF projects in...

RIM Design.(appoints Marya Pillifant)(Brief article)
March 1, 2007... 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 is working on a number of space-planning...

USKH.(Right Moves)
March 1, 2007... 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 office; Evan Griffith, P.E., a civil engineer...

UAF.(University of Alaska Fairbanks' graduate Katey Walter honored by Council of Graduate Schools)(Brief article)
March 1, 2007... 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 46th annual meeting in Washington, D.C. ...

UA.(Joe Trubacz joins University of Alaska)(Brief article)
March 1, 2007... 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 and business operations, brings nearly 20 years...

Chena Hot Springs Resort.(named project of the year by Power Engineering Magazine)(Brief article)
March 1, 2007... 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 project, which came online last August, was in...

Last hope in the last frontier: offshore development key in Alaska.
March 1, 2007... 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 off Alaska's shores also support major...

Gov. Sarah Palin speaks out.(Interview)(Cover story)
March 1, 2007... 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 of the 49th state. ABM: What led you to...

March calendar.(Calendar)
March 1, 2007... 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 Eagle River, offers onlookers an opportunity...

Spring Home show a haven for help: leave winter behind; start thinking about home projects.(Alaska: This Month)
March 1, 2007... 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 Alaskans who crave something new and different...

Flying the friendly skies? Many businesses rely on travel agencies to do their walking, despite do-it-yourself online offers.
March 1, 2007... 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, companies couldn't charge tickets to an...

Corporate travel: Bush and beyond: it isn't easy flying to rural Alaska communities to conduct business.
March 1, 2007... 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, Fairbanks or Juneau becomes another matter...

2007 corporate travel directory: corporate travel.(Directory)
March 1, 2007... Auto Rental COMPANY Top Executive Alamo Rent-A-Car Chris Sadler, Operations Mgr. 6450 Airport Way Fairbanks, AK 99709 Phone: 451-8234 Fax: 451-8958 www.nationalalamo.com ...

Environmental jobs on upswing: the push for the gas line promises even more hope to environmental services firms.
March 1, 2007... 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 excited," said Mark Dalton, senior vice...

First Alaskans Institute: a helping hand to natives: teaching business skills, leadership and even etiquette, programs exist to help Native Alaskans in the professional world.
March 1, 2007... 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 found a home in First Alaskans' Alaska Native...

A burning issue: Bush energy costs rising: utility costs now amount to more than a third of income among low-income households in remote places.
March 1, 2007... 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 temperatures and the high cost of household...

Medical blues: many factors impact increasing health care costs in Alaska.
March 1, 2007... 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. If these trends continue, health care...

Going to the dogs: not all of the business from The Last Great Race is on the trail.
March 1, 2007... 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 Parker Brothers classic game of Monopoly(R),...

Alaska Pacific University: small school, big program: Anchorage institution offers students topnotch MBA degree.
March 1, 2007... 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 consumer ratings, Alaska Pacific University...

Staffing agencies: quick fix or long-term solution: don't panic. Help is at your fingertips.
March 1, 2007... 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 gap during both unexpected and expected...

You can hear me now! Cell phone technology: curse or lifesaver?
March 1, 2007... 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 turn to security. Cell phone security, that...

NASA space shuttle becomes floating classroom: long-distant learning unlocks career opportunities for Alaskans.
March 1, 2007... 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 were in space. Through a live GCI video...

North slope spot price decreasing: (Jan. 24, 2006, to Jan. 30, 2007): Alaska trends, an outline of significant statewide statistics, is provided by the University of Alaska Center of Economic Development and sponsored by American Fast Freight.(Alaska Trends for March 2007)
March 1, 2007... 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 percent yearly decrease. The decrease...

Alaska trends for March 2007 sponsored by American Fast Freight.(Statistical table)
March 1, 2007... ALASKA TRENDS FOR MARCH 2007 SPONSORED BY AMERICAN FAST FREIGHT Indicator Units Period GENERAL Personal Income - Alaska Millions of $ 3rd Q06 Personal Income - United...