Alaska Business Monthly articles from October 2004

Alaska Business Monthly archives from October 2004

Corrections.(Correction Notice)
October 1, 2004... The writer's byline was omitted on an August article titled "A Stryking Endeavor" about Alaska's Stryker Brigade. The author was Vanessa Orr. In the September issue, in an article titled "The Bottom Line: Operating Reports of the Alaska...

Preston Gates & Ellis lauded for diversity among women.(Applause)(Vault.com survey results)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... Preston Gates & Ellis LLP was named first in diversity among women in a survey released recently by Vault.com, an online source of information for job seekers and professionals. Preston Gates improved in many areas from last year's survey,...

Northwest Strategies wins Telly Awards.(Applause)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... The Telly Awards recognized Northwest Strategies, statewide marketing and communications agency, for outstanding broadcast production. An internal video, Continental Auto Group "Montage," and two television spots, Alaska Aces Hockey...

State offers help for timber industry jobs.(Timber)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... Three small Southeast Alaska sawmills, financially struggling after a fight over logging on federal land, will get some relief this year as Gov. Frank H. Murkowski announced a plan to make state timber sales available for the mills to help...

First Bank breaks ground in Juneau.(Construction)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... First Bank has broken ground on a new Mendenhall Branch in Juneau. The construction site of the new branch office is located at the corner of Vintage Boulevard and Riverside Drive, across from the Mendenhall Post Office. Site preparation...

Administrative order to prevent U.S. job losses.(Government)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... The State of Alaska took action today to make sure that state contracts do not involve moving jobs overseas. Gov. Frank H. Murkowski signed the order officials say would make sure Alaska government jobs will remain in the United States. His...

APU offers new Health Services MBA.(Education)(Alaska Pacific University announces new Master of Business Administration specialization in Health Services Administration)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... Alaska Pacific University and the Department of Business Administration announced a new Master of Business Administration specialization in Health Services Administration. The program focuses on needs of current and future managers whose...

SBS opens Mat-Su Millwork Center.(Retail)(Spenard Builders Supply has new facility)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... In direct response to the construction boom currently under way in the Mat-Su Valley, Spenard Builders Supply recently opened its latest addition--the Mat-Su Millwork Center. The SBS facility, consisting of two buildings and more than 16,000...

Protect your business from credit card and check fraud: there are measures you can take to prevent yourself from being victim of fraud.
October 1, 2004... Fraud and theft are age-old problems, and fraudsters still pounce whenever they sense an opening. The good news is that financial services providers know how to combat these issues, and we are doing everything possible to educate and protect...

Broken promises: the shallow gas leasing program was curtailed, leaving two mining companies the option of converting pending leases to a conventional gas exploration license application.
October 1, 2004... Development of Alaska's rich mineral resources, typically located in remote regions of the Last Frontier, includes overcoming significant logistical hurdles to meet infrastructure needs. In particular, mine projects must acquire reliable...

A man of service John T. Kelsey: honored by Alaska Business Monthly for his 'Lifetime Achievement in Business'.
October 1, 2004... For half a century, John Kelsey has served others. First, his country, as a naval commanding officer at sea. Then his hometown, as fire chief, council member and mayor. And his state, at the call of more than one Alaska governor. He...

ANGDA'S first report to Alaskans lays it all out-publicly.(Alaska Natural Gas Development Authority)
October 1, 2004... It has been one month since the Alaska Natural Gas Development Authority distributed more than 100,000 copies of its much anticipated and first "Report To The People" of Alaska on the all-Alaska LNG project. It was promised as one of the...

After 30 years, it's time: with LNG import and export facilities springing up (or threats to do so) on every coast from China to the Bahamas, it is time to flex our muscles.(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... Many Alaskans remember when the precursor to today's Resource Development Council launched a huge national effort to win its preferred route for a natural gas pipeline. Under the wing of OMAR (Organization for Management of Alaska's Resources),...

Calendar.(Calendar)
October 1, 2004... ANCHORAGE 2-3 Make it Alaska Festival Find unique, high-quality and authentic Alaska products at more than 250 booths. Call 279-0618. 4 ABM Top 49ers Announced The Top 49 Alaska-owned and -operated companies in...

Anchorage hosts the 2004 Beringia Days conference: this free event brings together Russian and American scholars, researchers, environmentalists and more.(Alaska This Month)
October 1, 2004... This month, members of an international community will again gather to share experiences, research and projects about life in our part of the world. The annual international conference--known as Beringia Days--will be held Oct. 21-23 at the...

Find the right contractor for your home improvement project: there are steps to protect yourself when you are hiring a contractor to work in your home.
October 1, 2004... The stereotypical horror stories might stick in homeowners' minds as they begin thinking about home improvement projects. You're planning on making your master bedroom bigger. A referral from a friend leads to a contractor who is young but...

Luthier is Homer's 'sultan of strings': driven by passion, Craig Stempniak makes and repairs guitars, and offers lessons, all from his home in Homer.(Business Spotlight)
October 1, 2004... In a town thriving with artists, Craig Stempniak stands out. He works in a small workshop off the kitchen of the house out East End Road in Homer he shares with his wife, Joan, repairing guitars and other stringed instruments. He also...

Guitar bridge pins produced for specialized market: for this Seldonia resident, fossil ivory makes sound science.(Business Spotlight)
October 1, 2004... In his own shop across Kachemak Bay, Seldovia resident John Mickelson repairs and builds guitars on a limited basis. But it is not guitars that Mickelson is known for. It's bridge pins. Bridge pins are pegs that anchor the strings in...

Native corporations form prosperous joint ventures: these corporate marriages can be made in heaven if carefully thought out.
October 1, 2004... Alaska was booming in the 1970s. Construction of the trans-Alaska oil pipeline and associated development in the North Slope oil patch brought major construction and petroleum companies to the state. The companies were interested in forging...

Health insurance: big benefits for small companies: are you so small you can't afford health insurance for your employees? There may be options.
October 1, 2004... For small companies, affording a quality health care plan for employees is like walking on a narrow balance beam. It's hard to stay in balance without falling on the side of stingy benefits that provide little value to employees or else...

No place too far: communicate via fax, internet or phone anywhere, even the remotest parts of Alaska.
October 1, 2004... Alaska boasts the highest connectivity rate in the nation. That is a challenge for a big state with a not-so-big population. Not only is the state served by some of the most aggressive telecoms in the industry, the state supports making...

A creative getaway: this center, located at Halibut Cove just a short boat ride away from Homer, provides guests a relaxing atmosphere with artistic flair.(Alaska Center for Creative Renewal )
October 1, 2004... A visit to the Alaska Center for Creative Renewal begins the moment the boat leaves Homer Harbor and starts the short 20-minute crossing of Kachemak Bay to Halibut Cove. With every breath of fresh, salty air, every dip of seabird wing, every...

Alaska business monthly presents: ABM's Top 49ers: Business Blockbusters Lights. Camera. Action. Or maybe a drum-roll please. The Business Blockbusters have arrived.
October 1, 2004... At the 20th annual Top 49ers presentation, this year held Oct. 4 at the Egan Civic and Convention Center, the state's Top 49 Alaskan owned and operated businesses were honored. Special recognition went to the eight companies that have made the...

Top 49ers businesses listed alphabetically.(ABM's top 49ers: business blockbuster)(Illustration)
October 1, 2004... TOP 49ers BUSINESS LISTED ALPHABETICALLY 2004 2003 Top 49ers Revenue Company Rank ...

Top 49ers businesses listed by category.(Illustration)
October 1, 2004... TOP 49ERS BUSINESSES LISTED BY CATEGORY 2003 CLASSIFICATION 49ers Rank Employees CONSTRUCTION (3.41% of 49ers) Davis Constructors & Engineering Inc. ...

20 years of blockbuster businesses in Alaska!(Illustration)
October 1, 2004... 20 YEARS OF BLOCKBUSTER BUSINESS IN ALASKA! RANK FOR YEAR 1985 1986 1987 A & M RV Center Revenue (Mil.$): Advanced Info. Systems * Revenue (Mil.$): Ahtna Inc. Revenue (Mil.$):...

Furniture Enterprises of Alaska expands operations: this business owner had a rough start, but tenacity got him through.(ABM's top 49ers: business blockbuster)(Dave Cavitt, president and owner)(Biography)
October 1, 2004... 2004 Top 49er Ranking: 46 Position Last Year: N/A 2003 Revenues: $31.7 million Number of employees: 200 The word tenacious should have Dave Cavitt's picture next to it in the dictionary. Cavitt is the 47-year-old president and...

Arctic Slope Regional Corp.: revenues top $1 billion again.(ABM's top 49ers: business blockbusters)(Company Profile)
October 1, 2004... 2004 Top 49er Ranking: 1 Position Last Year: 1 2003 Revenues: $1.3 billion Number of employees: 6,000 It has been said the business world can be cold and unforgiving. And to succeed it takes a special breed of competitor. ...

Chenega Corp.: revenues keep rising: this Native village corporation tripled revenues in 2002 and doubled it in 2003.(ABM's top 49ers: business blockbusters)(Company Profile)
October 1, 2004... 2004 Top 49er Ranking: 6 Position Last Year: 12 2003 Revenues: $234 million Number of employees: 2,000 Chenega Corp., an Alaska Native village corporation headquartered in Anchorage, has had some very good years. In 2001, the...

Customer satisfaction key to Northern Sales' success: familiar in Southeast, this company has now expanded to other areas.(ABM's top 49ers: business blockbusters)(Northern Sales Company of Alaska Inc. is in its 44th year of operation)(Company Profile)
October 1, 2004... 2004 Top 49er Ranking: 42 Position Last Year: 41 2003 Revenues: $34.89 million Number of employees: 83 When you go to the grocery store, you probably don't think much about how the products that you buy get there. In Southeast...

A matter of delivery: through rain, wind and snow, air cargo companies across the state deliver on demand.(Alaska Central Express Inc.)
October 1, 2004... Stating its intentions up front to become the state's leading cargo air carrier, Alaska Central Express Inc. is fast moving ahead on its target. ACE is among dozens of Alaska-based small-package transporters serving the Great Land, where cargo...

Planning for the future: trusts and escrows: your financial institution and lawyer can help you protect your assets for your heirs.
October 1, 2004... Trusts and escrows are useful tools in long-term financial planning to protect assets and family. A trust is a device to transfer ownership to a third party for the benefit of another, while in an escrow agreement a third party holds property...

State of the economy: Alaska faces challenges as it works to strengthen and diversify its economy.
October 1, 2004... Alaska is now enjoying 17 years of uninterrupted job growth. The most recent information from the Department of Labor predicts 47,700 jobs will be added in the next decade--the majority of them in the services industry. This amounts to a 1.7...

Korea ripe for Alaska salmon: bad breaks for Asia open doors for Alaska to increase salmon sales there.
October 1, 2004... Setbacks for some beef, poultry and salmon producers in Asia and elsewhere may become Alaska's gain--if those who harvest, market, process and sell seafood here can put needed marketing savvy and specialized equipment in place with speed and...

ICL financial services: optimizing benefits for asset protection or transfer, and employer-employee benefit programs.(ICL Financial Services)
October 1, 2004... Most people, including business owners, know that finding someone to help them mind their money or make smart decisions about business benefits or financial planning programs is seldom an easy thing to do. Those who know about ICL Financial...

Active rotary rigs throughout the United States and Alaska: (June 2003-June 2004).(Alaska Trends for October)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... 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 June 2004, the United States had 1,176...

Alaska trends for October 2004.(Illustration)
October 1, 2004... SPONSORED BY WASTE MANAGEMENT OF ALASKA Indicator Units Period GENERAL Personal Income--Alaska Millions of $ 1stQ04 Personal Income--United States ...