Alaska Business Monthly articles from October 2002

Alaska Business Monthly archives from October 2002

Businesses praised but gently chided. (From the Publisher).(single voice of Alaska business could neutralize environmental lobby)(Column)
October 1, 2002... Every October we take time out to praise the work of Alaska businesses that are owned and operated by Alaskan businessmen and businesswomen and that have been successful in making major contributions to our economy. And so it is this year, as...

ABM Readership Survey. (Inside Alaska Business).(Illustration)
October 1, 2002... ABM READERSHIP SURVEY More Readership Survey Results! Who reads Alaska Business Monthly? The University of Alaska Anchorage School of Business recently completed a Readership Survey for us and we plan to provide results as a regular...

Era Aviation adds online booking. (Inside Alaska Business).(Brief Article)
October 1, 2002... Era Aviation Inc. recently announced its customers will be able to book reservations via the Internet on the company Web site, www.eraaviation.com. Era also is offering one- and two-day vacation packages in conjunction with All Alaska Tours....

DOT releases funding to Alaska Railroad. (Inside Alaska Business).(Brief Article)
October 1, 2002... The Department of Transportation has released $10.2 million to the Alaska Railroad to straighten railroad tracks on and near the Anchorage military bases. "These funds are critical to improving safety and further modernizing our railroad...

Work begun on new Psychiatric Hospital.(Brief Article)
October 1, 2002... Alaska Go v. Tony Knowles, Health Land Social Services Commissioner Jay Livey, legislators and officials from Alaska Psychiatric Institute and the Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority participated in a groundbreaking ceremony recently at the...

Alaska wine wins hearts. (General).(Brief Article)
October 1, 2002... An unlikely wine from an unlikely wine region has won a prestigious silver medal at one of the largest wine competitions in the United States. Great Land Wines Ltd. of Haines was awarded the medal in the commercial fruit wine division of the...

CIRI extends Marts contract. (Native Business).(Chief Executive Officer Carl Marts)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2002... The CIRI board of directors recently officially ratified an employment agreement with CIRI President and Chief Executive Officer Carl Marts extending his contract as head of the Alaska Native regional corporation. Marrs signed an agreement...

Great hope for Kenai Peninsula oil and gas industry: Exploration continues as new fields are being developed.
October 1, 2002... Since the Swanson River oil field discovery in 1957, Alaska's Kenai Peninsula has claimed a significant role in the state's developing oil and gas industry. Now, after 45 years of development and continued exploration, the area is...

North by Northwest: Alaska Film Program still on the map; there's snow, glaciers and the midnight sun. All attract film makers to the Great Land, which in turn infuses dollars into the economy.
October 1, 2002... The half page ad had already been created. A full color shot of a beautiful Alaska mountain range with a martini glass super-imposed in the foreground. The text: "We didn't just shoot 007 -- We put him on ice." The permits were in place. The...

The new rage in tourism: Ecotourism is a growing industry in Alaska-perfect for those who want to experience the outdoors without environmental impact.
October 1, 2002... In a Jan. 28 announcement, the United Nations declared 2002 the International Year of Ecotourism in an attempt to raise public awareness about tourism's impact on nature and cultural heritages and to promote responsible travel. U.N. Deputy...

Mikunda, Cottrell & Co. (Advertisement: Business Profile).
October 1, 2002... Mikunda, Cottrell & Co. celebrates a quarter century of providing certified public accounting services to Alaskans. In 1977 when the firm opened a four-man accounting office in Anchorage, they provided their clients the standard list of...

Economics and the arts in Alaska: The art industry does contribute to the state's economy. Nationally, the nonprofit arts segment generates 4.9 million jobs.(Industry Overview)
October 1, 2002... Willa Cather once wrote, "Religion and art spring from the same root and are close kin. Economics and art are strangers." Is this really so? Isn't it possible for the world of art and the world of business to play yin and yang to one another?...

Alaska's People connecting job seekers and employers. (Advertisement: Business Profile).(Company Profile)
October 1, 2002... Alaska's People, a nonprofit division of Cook Inlet Tribal Council, was created to help connect workers seeking employment with Alaska companies and businesses. Teresa Nelson, Director of Alaska's People, says: "We strive to offer...

Events Calendar.(Calendar)
October 1, 2002... October ANCHORAGE 1 Acquaintance and Date Rape Workshop This free workshop is presented by STAR, Standing Together Against Rape. Workshop is set for 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. and held at the University of Alaska Anchorage Business...

Annual native convention has rich history. (Alaska This Month).
October 1, 2002... This month the Alaska Federation of Natives will hold its annual convention in Anchorage. The convention, which dates back to 1966, is one of the main unifying gatherings held each year, and is a powerful social and political forum for Alaska...

A+ health care for Alaskans: Alaska's hospitals provide plenty of reasons for patients to stay in state.
October 1, 2002... For years, Alaskans with serious illnesses or injuries had no choice but to leave the state to find proper medical treatment. While they may have preferred to stay closer to home, the facilities and technologies of the time were simply not...

Beyond boardrooms: From breakfast clubs to videoconference centers; gone are the overhead projectors. Today's boardrooms are high-tech.
October 1, 2002... Today's businesses are using rooms equipped with high-tech tools for all types of activities. Today's board, employee, training and conference rooms may have features as simple as walls that can be removed for increased seating or as...

Pacific Machinery and Appraisals caters to Bush Alaska: This company sells heavy equipment to rural communities, helping them with their construction needs.
October 1, 2002... The majority of Terry Shurtleff's heavy equipment business, Pacific Machinery and Appraisals, is in the Bush-Western and Interior Alaska. He works with Village Safe Water projects, runway work (upgrades and improvements) and public works...

Identity theft: The new face of fraud; identity theft is on the rise, but there are steps to protect yourself.
October 1, 2002... The bad guys have always been able to steal your wallet, your car or your money. Now they've gone one better and gotten access to something even more lucrative: yourself. How can someone steal "you?" By stealing your identity. Losses...

Pets are frisky business: Businesses that help us take care of our pets offer some unique services.
October 1, 2002... Photographer David Jensen set the Bond family up for their family portrait. On the couch, Debra had one arm around 8-year-old Zeus, the other around 7-year-old Demi. Herb sat on a stool behind them, holding Sasha, who is 14. Jensen held up...

The call of the sky: Bush pilot Michelle Masden followed her dream and opened a floatplane business based out of Ketchikan.
October 1, 2002... A love for flying, ambition for success and steeled determination were the building blocks that turned a child's dream into a thriving Ketchikan floatplane business-Island Wings. Owned and operated by Michelle Masden, Island Wings is...

Alaska's Resource Development Council: developing Alaska through responsible resource development.
October 1, 2002... Better known as the RDC, the Resource Development Council for Alaska Inc. is a membership-funded statewide association that supports Alaska's basic industries-oil and gas, mining, limber, fishing and tourism. With the support of members from...

A warm retreat in a cold climate: Open since 1998, Barrow's King Eider Inn attracts travelers of all types.
October 1, 2002... The King Eider Inn, in Barrow, has looked to its namesake for the secrets of success. King eider ducks are easily recognized by their unmistakable appearance and their down is highly valued for the warmth it provides. Since construction was...

Putting Alaskans with disabilities to work: agencies around the state work to help people with special needs and help employers at the job site.
October 1, 2002... Emily Ningeok loves her job. On one rainy day recently, she sat at a table in the back shop of the Alaska Bead Co. and scooped tiny craft beads onto a scale, taking great pains to measure exactly 2 ounces. She poured the beads into a small...

Ardors: 14 years of economic development; these organizations were formed to create jobs in rural Alaska. Some fall short of their original goal, but all work toward economic development throughout the state.(Alaska Regional Development Organizations)
October 1, 2002... Each year, when the Alaska Legislature ponders the billion or so dollars that comprise the state's budget, a few minutes--in some office or committee room--are set aside to consider the fate of the $660,000 line item to continue funding of...

Sunshine Sports: caters to divers and skiers.
October 1, 2002... The entrance to Sunshine Sports is to the east where the sun shines in, but that is not where the name came from. Alaskan owner John Bice bought the business Sunshine Sports in Juneau in 1977. He moved the business to Anchorage in 1980 when...

Cottage industry pays off for Eskimo women: rural women knit scarves, hats and more using Musk Ox wool and sell it to a co-op for cash that helps provide income for families.
October 1, 2002... Eskimo women who live in remote Alaska wilderness regions owe a thank you to Arctic Explorer/Anthropologist John J. Teal Jr. Teal domesticated the musk ox, opening up a whole new world to these women of the North. It's a rare occasion...

Five steps to successful hiring: employers have to be careful what they ask job candidates during the interview process.
October 1, 2002... "Do you have a family, too?" "You have an interesting accent. Where are you from?" "Do you have any physical problems that would keep you from performing the job?" "How many sick days did you take last year?" Did you know you...

Roger Hickel Contracting, Inc.
October 1, 2002... Our outstanding management team specializes in providing design, pre-construction and construction services on all types of civil and commercial construction projects. These are just a few of our many projects. For a complete listing and more...

Usibelli Coal Mine.(Company Profile)
October 1, 2002... Top 49ers Allstars COMPANY PROFILE 2002 Top 49er Ranking: 33 Position Last Year: 35 2001 Revenue: $33.2 million Number of Employees: 120 It's quite an accomplishment when a 50-year-old man, with a broken back, can start...

KeyBank. (Business Profile: Advertisement).
October 1, 2002... Neighborly Service With Nationwide Connections KeyBank in Alaska has grown through expansion and acquisition of established, familiar institutions like Alaska Pacific Bank in Anchorage, First National Bank of Fairbanks and Alaska State...

New Horizons Telecom Inc.(Company Profile)
October 1, 2002... Top 49ers Allstars COMPANY PROFILE 2002 Top 49er Ranking: 39 Position Last Year: 37 2001 Revenue: $24.9 million Number of Employees: 92 New Horizons Telecom Inc. had relatively humble beginnings--"myself, a partner, two...

Davis Constructors & Engineers Inc. .(Company Profile)
October 1, 2002... Top 49ers Allstars COMPANY PROFILE 2002 top 49er Ranking: 20 Position Last Year: 27 2001 Revenue: $58.3 million Number of Employees: 25 Adeptly negotiating the pitfalls of an often-volatile construction economy,...

V.F. Grace Inc. .(Company Profile)
October 1, 2002... Top 49ers Allstars COMPANY PROFILE 2002 Top 49er Ranking: 30 Position Last Year: 40 2001 Revenue: $35.6 million Number of Employees: 102 With a recently acquired subsidiary under its belt and another year of revenue...

Spenard Builders Supply. (Right Moves).(Kris Thomas promoted to branch manager)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2002... Kris Thomas was promoted to branch manager at Spenard Builders Supply's Kodiak store. Thomas replaces Pete Bermel, who is taking the branch manager position at the SBS Fairbanks store. Thomas has been with SBS for 12 years, most recently as...

DEC. (Right Moves).(Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner receives award)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2002... Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Michele Brown earned the 2002 Excellence in Leadership Award for a Woman in State Government. The award was presented recently in Washington, D.C. Brown was nominated for the award by...

Northrim Bank. (Right Moves).(Brian Spink named vice president)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2002... Brian Spink was hired as vice president, internal auditor for Northrim Bank. He is responsible for evaluating the soundness of bank policies and adherence to government regulations. Spink brings nearly 18 years of internal auditing experience...

Klondike Advertising. (Right Moves).(Nicki Maxon receives certification)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2002... Nicki Maxon with Klondike Advertising has been awarded the certified advertising specialist designation from the Promotional Products Association International. This designation is awarded to promotional products professionals who have...

HDR Alaska Inc. (Right Moves).(hires Jennifer Gastrock)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2002... Jennifer Gastrock, EIT, recently joined HDR Alaska Inc. as a civil engineer. She has a master's degree in environmental engineering and a bachelor's degree in civil engineering from the University of Wyoming. Gastrock previously spent two...

Officetech Inc. (Right Moves).(Cameron Gilchrist promoted to account manager )(Brief Article)
October 1, 2002... Cameron Gilchrist was promoted to account manager for the downtown Anchorage territory for Officetech Inc. Gilchrist previously was responsible for the Bush Alaska territory and Xerox engineering equipment. Clinton Crowley has joined the Off...

The Coordinators Inc. (Right Moves).(company formed)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2002... Long-time Alaskan Arthur Roraff has announced the formation of The Coordinators Inc., providing conference and project planning services. The company extends from a partnership established in 1996 and is led by Roraff. It is the continuation of...

Anchorage Convention & Visitors Bureau. (Right Moves).(Nance Larsen named director of communications)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2002... Nance Larsen is the new director of communications for the Anchorage Convention & Visitors Bureau. Larsen most recently was director of media relations and communications for the mayor's office in Anchorage. Julie Saupe brings more than 20...

Alaska Credit Union League. (Right Moves).(personnel changes)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2002... Bob Techworth, president and CEO of Denali Alaskan Federal Credit Union, has been selected as chairman for the Alaska Credit Union League. Sharon Kelly, president of Alaska State Employees Federal Credit Union, was selected as vice chairman....

ROTC Hall of Fame. (Right Moves).(John R. Pratt)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2002... John R. Pratt, president of Pratt Aviation Services Inc., has been named to the Purdue University Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) Hall of Fame. The Hall of Fame was established in 1974 to recognize Purdue's ROTC graduates who have...

Alaska Destination Specialists. (Right Moves).(hires Peggy Looney)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2002... Peggy Looney has joined Alaska Destination Specialists and is a certified meeting planner. Looney brings more than 20 years of Alaska tourism sales and marketing experience to the position. The firm works with planners from around the world to...

Worldwide Partners. (Right Moves).(Rick Nerland elected to board of directors)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2002... Rick Nerland, president and CEO of Nerland Agency Worldwide Partners, has been elected to the board of directors of Worldwide Partners Inc. at the organizations' annual meeting in Vancouver, B.C. Nerland is one of nine new directors of the...

ATIA. (Right Moves).(Ron Peck new president and COO of Alaska Travel Industry Association)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2002... Ron Peck has been selected as the new president and COO for the Alaska Travel Industry Association. Peck, who has more than 25 years of experience in the Alaska tourism industry, comes from Alyeska Resort, where he served as director of sales...

Doyon Properties Inc. (Right Moves).(Wally Powers new general manager)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2002... Wally Powers was selected as the new general manager for Doyon Properties Inc. Powers has a bachelor's degree in business administration from the University of Alaska Fairbanks and previously was the assistant controller for Doyon Ltd.

Branding Cook Inlet salmon: A better product that reaches a wider market will be the result of this salmon-branding project.
October 1, 2002... The process might not be the same as branding cattle, but if the program to brand Cook Inlet sockeye salmon is successful, it will accomplish the same thing: differentiating these salmon from all other salmon in the world. And its success will...

Challenges and strategies for the Alaska salmon industry: Hard times have hit today's salmon fisheries. Now seems to be the right time to review how fisheries are managed.
October 1, 2002... Alaska's salmon industry is in an economic crisis. Between 1990 and 2001, the wholesale value of Alaska salmon production fell by almost $400 million--almost 40 percent. Most of that loss in value came out of fishermen's earnings. This year,...

Buying trucks in bulk: Is buying fleet the right choice for your business?
October 1, 2002... Susan McBride is in charge of purchasing and overseeing 150 pickup trucks for her employer, Wilder Construction. Every winter, she starts the process of ordering half a dozen or so trucks. Buying a personal vehicle can turn into an all-day...

Enterprise management solutions: Computer software to enhance your IT department.
October 1, 2002... Fraser Campbell came to Alaska from Scotland two years ago with a clear goal: to bring BP Exploration (Alaska) Inc.'s accounting system to the technology age. In about a year, the accounting operations have gone from getting everything on paper...

October Alaska Trends.
October 1, 2002... October alaska trends GENERAL Units Period Personal Income -- Alaska Millions of $ lstQ02 Personal Income -- United States Billions...

The Top 49ers: teamwork at the top of the world.
October 1, 2002... These definitions of teamwork, as set forth in The Webster's New World College Dictionary, aptly describe the 49 leading companies that comprise this year's Top 49ers listing. To achieve the level of success these businesses have, they must...

Alaska Computer Brokers. (Business Profile: Advertisement).
October 1, 2002... AN ALASKAN SUCCESS STORY-DELIVERING TECHNOLOGY THAT WORKS! Founded in 1986, Alaska Computer Brokers has grown over the years into a technology sales and service organization with a strong presence around the state. ACB has found success in...