Alaska Business Monthly articles from May 2006

Alaska Business Monthly archives from May 2006

Immigration what's all the fuss?(From the Publisher)
May 1, 2006... "GIVE ME YOUR TIRED, YOUR POOR, YOUR HUDDLED MASSES YEARNING TO BREATHE FREE; THE WRETCHED REFUSE OF YOUR TEAMING SHORE. SEND THESE, THE HOMELESS, TEMPEST-TOSSED TO ME. I LIFT MY LAMP BESIDE THE GOLDEN DOOR." Bronze plaque, Statue of...

Gonzalez Marketing acquires IT Expo.(GENERAL)
May 1, 2006... Gonzalez Marketing LLC has acquired Sourdough Production's long-running information technology industry trade show, The IT Expo, scheduled this year on Oct. 3 and Oct. 4 at the Egan Convention Center. For more than 12 years, the IT Expo has...

Allstate offers new rewards for Alaska's safe drivers.(INSURANCE)
May 1, 2006... This year, Allstate plans to bring a new kind of car insurance to a nationwide audience that encourages safe driving. With Your Choice Auto, Allstate is offering new rewards to consumers who drive safely and enhanced protection for those not...

Carlile Transportation System expands operations.(TRANSPORTATION)
May 1, 2006... Carlile Transportation Systems has acquired Keytrans Inc., an Alaska-based transportation company serving Alaska and the Pacific Northwest for 30 years. With the addition of Keytrans Inc., Carlile's transportation system network will be...

New option for Alaska's back pains.(HEALTH & MEDICINE)
May 1, 2006... Dr. Timothy Cohen, a neurosurgeon with Anchorage Neurological Associates, is the first physician in Alaska, and one of the first in the Northwest, to offer artificial disc implantation as a treatment for patients suffering from back pain due to...

Crowley's first Russian-flagged vessel under way.(TRANSPORTATION)
May 1, 2006... Crowley Maritime Corp.'s Marine Services unit announced the deployment of the Crowley Alliance, the company's first Russian-flagged and -crewed vessel serving the offshore oil industry near Sakhalin Island, Russia. The vessel is owned and...

Northern Air Cargo brings back NAC at Night.(TRANSPORTATION)
May 1, 2006... Northern Air Cargo has brought back its NAC at Night delivery schedule. New aircraft, new schedules and services help customers get freight from Anchorage and Fairbanks, five nights a week, into Deadhorse. NAC officials said it was the...

Airport sees Rental Car construction.(TRANSPORTATION)
May 1, 2006... Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport announced that construction of the Consolidated Rental Car Facility by the Venture Development Group is scheduled for completion in June 2007. The new four-story facility will be constructed near the...

Alaska's small business person of the year: Susan DeLoach of Juneau is honored for her success in early childhood development.(CELEBRATING SMALL BUSINESS)(Cover story)
May 1, 2006... Each year, the U.S. Small Business Administration names a Small-Business Person of the Year for each of the 50 states and U.S. territories. For Alaska, the 2005 person of the year was Susan DeLoach of Juneau. She is the president and owner of...

Kathy Toms came to Alaska to forge her own frontier: this small-business owner is known as "the chamber.".(CELEBRATING SMALL BUSINESS)
May 1, 2006... It is hard being a businesswoman in Alaska, says Kathy Toms of Anchor Point. "I run two businesses, Aurora Taxes and Top of the Rock Lodge. I have two to five employees, depending on the time of the year. I'm on several boards for...

Know your business credit score: check your credit report at least once a year to protect from fraud.
May 1, 2006... In today's fast-paced world, more and more of us find ourselves striving for immediate gratification and quicker results with both our personal and business finances. A credit score can really make a difference. Throughout the past several...

Alaska Business Development Center Inc.: making its mark in the business community by helping Alaska businesses grow and prosper.
May 1, 2006... Understanding the unique needs of the Alaska business climate is not something that everyone just naturally gets. But, on the other hand, there are some organizations that understand the intricacies so well that they have not only made great...

2006 May events calendar.(Calendar)
May 1, 2006... ANCHORAGE 5 2006 Visitor Industry Charity Walk Often referred to as the "5k Buffet," this may be the only event where participants feast on fabulous food from vendors along the route. Ends at the WOW event with tons of prizes,...

Visitor industry walk a generously tasty tour: in its 7th year, this family event raises funds for a variety of charities.(Alaska This Month)
May 1, 2006... This month offers Alaskans the chance to sample some of our state's fine food outdoors, while burning off calories and at the same time raising money for numerous nonprofit charities-all part of the 7th Annual Visitor Industry Charity Walk. ...

One major explores: others concentrate on production: a sober fact is oil production is in decline and unless new exploration increases, it will continue to do so, making North Slope oil fields uneconomic by 2025.
May 1, 2006... For some time now, the state of Alaska has been tilting its oil and gas policies toward attracting independent companies to Alaska to explore. Production from the large, maturing oil fields on the North Slope is declining, and Alaska needs to...

Big money to be found in Canadian oil sands: massive fuel resource just starting to be unearthed.
May 1, 2006... Very few subjects have gotten more press lately than America's dependence on foreign oil and the need to develop new sources of this fossil fuel. But even as the country looks overseas to find new suppliers, some companies are looking to invest...

Exceeding expectations: Alpine expansion and satellite development gathers steam.
May 1, 2006... From its commercial start six years ago, the Alpine oil field has exceeded expectations of its developers, ConocoPhillips and Anadarko Petroleum, who continue to invest in the far-western North Slope reservoir by expanding processing facilities...

'In-kind' or 'in-value'? State may take gas instead of money.
May 1, 2006... When Alaskans finally get a chance to look at the gas pipeline deal Gov. Frank Murkowski has negotiated with the North Slope producers, they will have to weigh some fundamental questions regarding the state's potential involvement in the...

Alaska Business Monthly's 2006 oil & gas directory.(Directory)
May 1, 2006... Alaska Business Monthly's 2006 OIL & GAS DIRECTORY EXPLORATION COMPANIES COMPANY Top Executive Agrium Kenai Nitrogen Operations Bill Boycott, Gen. Mgr. P.O. Box 575 Kenai, AK 99611...

'First to the Future' Alaska aviation director leads Alaska to foremost position in world aviation.(Q & A With Patrick Poe: Federal Aviation Administration)(Interview)
May 1, 2006... FAA'S slogan, "First to the Future," has certainly proven true with Patrick Poe's commitments to the innovative programs in Alaska. Since his appointment in 1998, Poe has joined with the Alaska aviation community in making news and making...

One ringadingy, two ringadingy: Cell phone plans and advanced technology hit Alaska's business market.
May 1, 2006... Cell phones continue to be not only a part of daily life, but also a major part of daily business life. Advances in technology, coupled with more budget-friendly plans, have made them top choices for business communication needs. One of...

UAF.(Right Moves)(University of Alaska Foundation)(Doug Reynolds - recipient of the Harold T. Caven Professorship)(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... The University of Alaska Foundation announced Doug Reynolds, professor of economics at the UAF School of Management, as the recipient of the Harold T. Caven Professorship. The two-year professorship includes a $20,000 award. This award is...

RIM Architects.(Right Moves)
May 1, 2006... RIM Architects added Ryan Lawrence as a new intern architect in its Anchorage office. Lawrence has four years of architectural design experience and is completing his requirements for architectural registration. He brings experience in...

Dimond Center Hotel.(Right Moves)
May 1, 2006... Dimond Center Hotel recently was awarded Outstanding Member Property of the Year (under 150 rooms) in the Alaska Hotel and Lodging Association Stars of the Industry Awards program. Seldovia Native Association Inc. CEO Michael Beal accepted the...

Charles Bettisworth and Co.(Right Moves)
May 1, 2006... Christen Pavich joined the architectural firm of Charles Bettisworth and Co. to head their newly formed Interior Design Studio. Pavich is an interior designer with 10 years experience on projects throughout Alaska and is a member of the...

CIRI.(Right Moves)(CIRI Inc.)(Patrick W. Duke appointed)(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... CIRI hired Patrick W. Duke, CFA, as its new chief financial officer. Duke is a lifelong Alaskan who moved to this Anchorage-based job from Juneau, where he worked for Sealaska Corp., most recently as treasurer and corporate investment officer....

Northrim Bank.(Right Moves)
May 1, 2006... Northrim Bank hired Steven Hartung as executive vice president, quality assurance officer. Hartung is responsible for developing strategies to optimize Northrim's loan portfolio and assisting Northrim's loan officers in analyzing loan...

The Wilson Agency.(Right Moves)
May 1, 2006... Jennifer Bundy-Cobb, vice president of account management, has become a principal in The Wilson Agency LLC. She has worked for the agency for more than 10 years, and has been working in employee benefits for more than 15 years. She has earned...

Hawaiian Vacations.(Right Moves)(Phil Okeson promoted)(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... Hawaiian Vacations announced the promotion of Phil Okeson to the position of executive vice president. Okeson has been with Hawaiian Vacations for seven years, serving as the organization's vice president and CFO. Okeson will continue in his...

Washington City University.(Right Moves)
May 1, 2006... City University named Lee Gorsuch, a renowned leader in education, public policy, science and economics and Chancellor Emeritus of the University of Alaska Anchorage, as its president. City University is one of Washington State's largest...

Credit unions and banks: institutional differences.
May 1, 2006... Banks and credit unions in today's market strive to offer Alaskan customers benefits with lower percentage rates and quality service. Although both seem to provide the same services, there are behind-the-scenes disagreements and...

A winning match: businesses that sponsor sports teams and associations benefit themselves and the community.
May 1, 2006... "In biblical times, it might have been known as "you reap what you sow." Sponsoring or advertising at local sporting events or with teams and associations is just one way businesses can help make their own companies successful and get...

Demystifying financial fraud: forensic accountants gain in popularity: stop white-collar crime in its tracks.
May 1, 2006... According to Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law, "white-collar crime" is defined as a crime that is committed by salaried professional workers or persons in business that usually involve a form of financial theft or fraud. These types of...

Alaska to benefit from upcoming construction season: more than $6.5 billion to be spent in 2006 statewide.(BUILDING ALASKA)
May 1, 2006... As the weather gets warmer and the ground begins to thaw, the rumbling of heavy equipment signals the start of spring on the Last Frontier. As Alaska gears up for another construction season, employment and project spending are expected to...

Q&A with Michael Fall of Unit Company.(BUILDING ALASKA: A Behind-the-Scenes Look at Life in the Construction Industry)(Interview)
May 1, 2006... They say if you want something done, ask a busy person. It's no wonder Michael Fall, vice president at Unit Company in Anchorage, has so much on his plate these days and still manages to get it all done. Fall became involved in the construction...

Port MacKenzie open for business: does the future hold a ferry system or bridge across troubled waters?(BUILDING ALASKA)
May 1, 2006... Port MacKenzie has come a long way since construction started on a pioneer access road and barge dock in the fall of 1999. Since that time, the barge dock has been completed; three-phase electrical power has been extended 11 miles to the port;...

Buying right: Anchorage Neighborhood Housing Services merged with Dokoozian and Associates, looking for a match that helps communities grow and prosper and to provide affordable housing to residents.(BUILDING ALASKA)(Anchorage Neighborhood Housing Services Inc)(Dokoozian Construction LLC)
May 1, 2006... In a move that's a first for Alaska, Anchorage Neighborhood Housing Services Inc. purchased a portion of Dokoozian and Associates March 1, 2006, and created Dokoozian Construction LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of ANHS. Debe Mahoney, executive...

Form to formation: the search for front-end efficiencies can derail construction project agreements.(BUILDING ALASKA)
May 1, 2006... In all but the smallest construction projects, written project agreements are a necessity and, depending on the complexity of the project and number of parties involved, can evolve from a few pages to many. When anticipating construction...

Hot spots for a business lunch: there are many restaurants in Alaska; try someplace new to take a client.
May 1, 2006... You're a businessman in Alaska and you want to take a new client and the marketing director out to lunch and discuss their new project. So you call your favorite eatery to make a reservation only to discover that it is booked until 3 p.m. and...

Pogo productions starts: first gold pour excites developers who battled environmentalists and won.
May 1, 2006... Alaska's mining industry took a significant leap forward in early 2006, as the Pogo gold mine located in a remote, previously undeveloped region of Interior Alaska near Delta Junction began producing gold in February. The 1,000 ounces of...

Active rotary rigs throughout Alaska and the United States (January 2005 to January 2006).(ALASKA TRENDS FOR MAY 2006)
May 1, 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. In January 2006, the United States had 1,543...