Alaska Business Monthly articles from October 2006

Alaska Business Monthly archives from October 2006

Corrections.(Correction notice)
October 1, 2006... In the August issue, in an article titled "Snow City Cafe," owner Laile Fairbairn was misquoted. She said that Anchorage is an "underserved" community in the restaurant scene. She did not say Anchorage does not have any "stiff competition." In...

Caught with their britches down: the Wall Street Journal and The Economist.(From the Publisher)
October 1, 2006... When there's a slow news day, these two publications rejoice at dredging up some cutesy blurbs about the state they love to hate, Alaska. Recently, both journalistic icons have permitted editorial creative writers to slam Alaska with their...

Globalstar opens sixth station in Alaska.(COMMUNICATION)
October 1, 2006... Globalstar Inc., headquartered in Milpitas, Calif., opened its sixth North American satellite ground station or gateway. The gateway is located in Wasilla and provides Globalstar voice and data customers with access to ground-based public...

Housing Services breaks ground on new project.(CONSTRUCTION)
October 1, 2006... Anchorage Neighborhood Housing Services (ANHS) broke ground recently, along with Mayor Mark Begich and representatives from HUD, on a new housing project that will provide affordable housing for families in Fairview and Spenard in Anchorage....

NC Machinery Co. to open new branch.(CONSTRUCTION)
October 1, 2006... Looking forward to a 2007 opening of its fifth Alaska branch, NC Machinery Chairman and CEO John J. Harnish came to Wasilla for a ground-breaking ceremony and barbecue. Undaunted by a typically dreary August day, a large crowd of well wishers...

Leaders speak out: candidates, legislators weigh in on natural gas contract.
October 1, 2006... Building a natural gas pipeline to take Alaska's natural gas to market is considered by most Alaskans to be a good idea. The gas pipeline will bring jobs to the people, revenue to the state, and a crucial resource to the needy markets. As...

Shell's return: Shell Oil was a familiar presence in the Alaska oil industry through the latter part of the last century. The company left the state in 1998, but returned again with renewed interest following a successful series of bids for 80-plus leases.
October 1, 2006... Though the oil industry was shocked this summer with the announcement by British Petroleum that it would shut down half of its Prudhoe Bay crude oil production to remedy corroded pipelines, a top Shell Oil executive says the situation is not...

Forms in word: a new concept in government forms: frustration with bureaucracy spawns an Alaskan-owned business.
October 1, 2006... With a combined 44 years of experience working in the offices of various engineering, environmental, legal and other firms, Lori Jo Oswald and Evelyn Wright had worked with plenty of government forms. In this electronic age, they were tired of...

New trends emerging in Alaska's forest industry: national concern over the country's growing dependence on oil imports added impetus to the notion of finding alternative sources of energy, and the sentiment is no less strong in Alaska.
October 1, 2006... The high cost of petroleum and the wide availability of renewable wood resources may be combining to bring a new dimension to Alaska's forest products industry. Two years ago, Congress passed a comprehensive energy bill that included a research...

Alternative energy for Southeast Alaska: biomass fuels: wood-burning boilers save money for homes, schools and community buildings.
October 1, 2006... Craig, located on Prince of Wales Island, may soon become known as the community where biomass fuels all started in Alaska. The change to using wood waste or woody biomass to heat private homes, community buildings and schools has been...

October calendar.(Calendar)
October 1, 2006... ANCHORAGE 3-4 IT Expo Attend the IT Expo at the Egan Convention Center, with more than 80 hours of presentations by the experts. Live demonstrations and booths for viewing. To register, visit www.itexpoalaska.com. 6-8 Make It...

Education, health and self-sufficiency: top AFN Convention goals: special focus will be on Avian Flu and its possible impact on Natives who hunt for subsistence.(Alaska This Month)
October 1, 2006... The Alaska Federation of Natives Annual Convention returns to Anchorage this month with plans of moving forward on initiatives promoting access to quality education and health care in rural communities, as well as developing rural economic...

Valley boon: jobs galore may come to the Valley with a new prison approved by Gov. Murkowski. It may come with a construction boon second only to the oil pipeline.
October 1, 2006... When construction of a new prison in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough begins in 2007, it will be the start of the largest construction project in Alaska since the trans-Alaska oil pipeline. And when work is completed in 2010, the medium-security...

Alaska Airlines expands cargo capacity; company invests $100 million to improve fleet, operations.
October 1, 2006... In a state as large as Alaska, with communities often situated in remote locations, it is almost impossible to underestimate the importance of the cargo industry. Food, equipment and sundries are shipped daily to the 49th state from cities down...

Consuls and honorary consuls open Alaska to world; twenty have been appointed by the government they represent to improve relations between Alaska and those countries.
October 1, 2006... International business plays an important role in the growth and diversification of Alaska's economy. Last year, exports from Alaska to overseas markets totaled $3.6 billion and are expected to increase this year as higher prices and strong...

The history of Alaska oil.(Oil & Gas)
October 1, 2006... We all know that most of the State of Alaska's income is derived from North Slope oil that flows through the trans-Alaska oil pipeline. Cook Inlet also provides a small amount of royalty income to the state. What many Alaskans and...

AOGA turns 40; the Alaska Oil and Gas Association celebrates four decades of being the voice of the industry!
October 1, 2006... One of Alaska's most venerable trade associations turned 40 this year. The Alaska Oil and Gas Association (AOGA), an organization of the state's oil and gas companies, has been dubbed "the voice of the industry" for more than four decades....

Here she comes ... Mrs. Alaska: ABM freelancer takes state title, goes on to nationals.(Michelle Martin)
October 1, 2006... Michelle Martin, crowned July 22 as Mrs. Alaska America 2006-2007, is more than just a pretty face. The occasional Alaska Business Monthly writer, and full-time clinical therapist with the Anchorage School District Child in Transition-Homeless...

The SBA 8(a) program: business development leads to success for Alaskan-owned business; the legal aspects of 8(a) and its benefits to Native corporations.
October 1, 2006... In a March 25, 2005, Washington Post article, Congressman Tom Davis (R-VA) reportedly stated, "The purpose of federal procurement is to make sure taxpayers are getting their dollars worth." Recently, some SBA 8(a) participants have undergone...

Never too late for a change: the Mature Alaskans Seeking Skills Training program gives seniors the skills needed in the ever-changing job market.
October 1, 2006... At the age of 55, Juneau resident Evelyn Kirstine needed a new line of work. A complete knee replacement had left her unable to return to the position she had held for years, lead housekeeper at a hotel. Luckily for her, Alaska has a program...

Keller Williams Realty Alaska Group.(Right Moves)
October 1, 2006... Keller Williams Realty, the fourth largest residential real estate firm in the U.S., with more than 570 offices and 70,000 associates, announced in August that it has expanded its growing network to the Anchorage area by the opening of Keller...

Small Business Administration.(Right Moves)
October 1, 2006... Administrator Steven C. Preston of the U.S. Small Business Administration announced the appointment of Oscar Guarderas, of the Alaska Department of Labor & Workforce Development, to the SBA's National Advisory Council. "We're delighted to...

Anchorage Chamber of Commerce.(Right Moves)
October 1, 2006... Bernie Henrie, advertising account manager at Alaska Business Monthly, joined the Anchorage Chamber Ambassadors Committee and was named Ambassador of the Month for August. As Henrie increased her involvement with the ambassadors, she saw...

Denali Alaskan Federal Credit Union.(Right Moves)
October 1, 2006... Denali Alaskan Federal Credit Union promoted Erika Williams as its new marketing officer. Williams will be developing school business partnerships, assisting in youth programs growth, promoting community outreach, and supporting departments at...

Enterprise Engineering Inc.(Right Moves)
October 1, 2006... Enterprise Engineering Inc. (EEI) has merged with the staff of Sentec Inc. Sentec will continue providing surveying services at the direction of Michael J. Home, PLS, operating as Sentec Surveying & Engineering LLC (Sentec). Horne has become a...

Northrim Bank.(Right Moves)
October 1, 2006... Julee Drennan was hired as assistant vice president and human resources officer and Jay Blury as marketing officer for Northrim Bank. Drennan has nearly 20 years of human resources experience. She graduated from Northland College as a music...

Alaska Regional Hospital.(Right Moves)
October 1, 2006... Mary "Fran" Arseneau, C.P.C. (Certified Professional Coder), has been named assistant ethics and compliance officer at Alaska Regional Hospital. She is the former manager for Quality Assurance and Program Integrity for the State of Alaska...

Walsh Sheppard Flynn.(Right Moves)
October 1, 2006... Walsh Sheppard Flynn, a marketing communications firm, hired Carol Richards as creative director. Richards brings to the firm extensive professional experience as a graphic designer and art director for some of the best creative groups in the...

RIM Architects.(Right Moves)
October 1, 2006... RIM Architects has added Bryce Hamels as a new intern architect of its Anchorage office. He previously was working in RIM's San Francisco office and has transferred permanently. Hamels brings two years of architectural design experience,...

Big Brothers Big Sisters.(Right Moves)(Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southeast Alaska honored)(Brief article)
October 1, 2006... Big Brothers Big Sisters of America honored Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southeast Alaska (BBBS) with its 2006 CEO of the Year award during the BBBS national conference in Indianapolis, Ind. Agency executive Marc Wheeler was chosen among leaders...

Credit Union 1.(Right Moves)
October 1, 2006... Credit Union 1 has promoted Donna LaPella to administrative services manager, Amy Stanard to Eagle River Branch manager, and the hiring of Tom Mason as vice president of Finance. LaPella has worked at Credit Union 1 for three years, all of...

ASCG Inc.(Right Moves)(Engineering News-Record)(Brief article)(Company rankings)
October 1, 2006... For the first time, Alaska-based ASCG Inc. has made Engineering News-Record's (ENR's) Construction Management Top 100 list. ASCG Inc. is listed No. 47 in the annual rankings for construction management or project management services performed...

Silverhook Alaska Coffee fills market niche; homegrown coffee company expands its markets and increases revenues by 300 percent.
October 1, 2006... When Jonathan White heads to his office each morning on Brayton Drive, he knows his best day of work will likely amount to a hill of beans. Make that several hills of beans--a scenario that not only equates to success for the 35-year-old...

Quick tips for eliminating computer threats: don't fear spyware, adware, viruses and such. There are simple ways to protect your office networks.
October 1, 2006... The scene was Ketchikan in August and the circumstance was a customer signing up for a new storage unit at a local self-storage company. The office manager apologized for the slow speed of the company's computer software program as she entered...

A head brew: Alaskan Brewing Company celebrates 20 years of success: from a meager start to expanding Outside, this company is making ranks among Alaska's leading companies.
October 1, 2006... In 2006, the Alaskan Brewing Co. celebrates its 20th anniversary as Alaska's premier beer-brewing facility. Years ago, co-founders Geoff and Marcy Larson sat discussing ways to make a living in Alaska and perked up at the mention of opening a...

Alaska's Top 49ers: The New Gold Standard of Business.(Cover story)
October 1, 2006... The dictionary describes gold as "to shine, to gleam," a valuable and precious commodity that is "highly ductile and malleable," as something "regarded as having value, brilliance, etc." These words all describe Alaska's Top 49ers: The New...

Afognak Native Corp.: revenues exceeded $500 million for the Kodiak-based corporation in 2005, driven largely by growth in the construction management and modular building areas.(Alaska's Top 49ers: The New Gold Standard of Business)(Company overview)
October 1, 2006... Position This Year: 7 Position Last Year: N/A 2005 Revenues: $522 Million Alaska Employees: 363 Worldwide Employees: 3,625 Ask how Afognak Native Corp. boosted its revenue in 2005 by 120 percent, and the answer is simple....

Cape Fox Corp.: this company diversified when faced with difficulties, raising revenues 90 percent from 2004 to 2005.(Alaska's Top 49ers: The New Gold Standard of Business)(Company overview)(Company rankings)
October 1, 2006... Position This Year: 45 Position Last Year: N/A 2005 Revenues: $38 Million Alaska Employees: 156 Worldwide Employees: 438 Dr. Bruce Borup has a saying he uses to define the direction of Cape Fox Corp. "The phrase...

Northrim Bank: its focus on 'Customer First,' is a philosophy credited for its growth.(Alaska's Top 49ers: The New Gold Standard of Business)(Company overview)
October 1, 2006... Position This Year: 32 Position Last Year: 40 2005 Revenues: $63.60 Million Alaska Employees: 290 Worldwide Employees: 294 A Journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. This popular proverb by Confucius comes...

The Superior Group: from heating and plumbing to building Alaska, this company has shown growth and promise.(Alaska's Top 49ers: The New Gold Standard of Business)(Company overview)
October 1, 2006... Position This Year: 49 Position Last Year: N/A 2005 Revenues: $35.54 Million Alaska Employees: 105 Worldwide Employees: 105 The 49th position on this year's Top 49ers list is held by The Superior Group, an Anchorage-based...

Bill Sheffield receives lifetime achievement award: whatever he does in the business world, he does it well.
October 1, 2006... Even in the '50s, Alaska tourism was a dream of one future hotel entrepreneur who built the Sheffield Hotel Chain, one of Alaska's early empires. Sometimes the local flasher zipped in front of tourists, fishermen and construction workers...

Cancer screening and awareness: it's not a death sentence anymore, thanks to preventive care and early detection methods.
October 1, 2006... The Centers for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC) states that cancer is the nation's second most common cause of death. The Atlanta-based organization also states that U.S. Health care providers diagnose more than a million people annually...

Through thick and thin, he never gave up: 'I shall return ...' and that, Ted Sadtler did.(Ted Sadtler, founder of Mattress Ranch)(Biography)
October 1, 2006... Fortitude, tenacity and hard work are the three professors at is almamater--the college of hard knocks. It took him two tries to finish the seventh grade, and after completing the eighth grade, he left school. He then hitchhiked around the...

Alaska-Puget Sound partnership beneficial to both communities: two-way trade helps states, cities to grow.
October 1, 2006... For more than 100 years, Alaska has relied on the Puget Sound area to provide goods and services to the 49th state. From early gold rush pioneers who bought and transported their supplies from Seattle, to Alaska's automobile dealers who fill...

Making a difference: city and state boards and commissions are a good place to start.
October 1, 2006... Okay, so you're a business owner and disagree with some of the decisions being made by your local and state officials. And, you have some great ideas, but have no inclination to run for office.... What can you do? The easy answer is to do...

A success story: Louise Bourcier of First National Bank Alaska: this ladder-climber is helping multi-family homebuyers meet their dreams.
October 1, 2006... At an age when most girls read fashion magazines and think about which college to go to, Louise Bourcier started her career in banking. Going from high school to the coveted corner office started with something as simple as a summer job. At the...

Succession planning: how small businesses can prepare for the unexpected before it happens.
October 1, 2006... Starting a new business takes hard work and optimism. While it is important to be optimistic, it is equally important to be realistic. One of the realities is that the business owner and founder might not be around to celebrate the company's...

Still competitive at 60: this Alaskan-owned company promotes quality products with good customer service.
October 1, 2006... Arctic Office Products, claiming the title of the largest independent office-supply company in Alaska, is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year. Many would agree it is a major accomplishment to survive, let alone thrive, in any very...

High-tech health care in rural Alaska: telemedicine can greatly improve rural Alaskans' health and quality of life.
October 1, 2006... Ever-improving technology has shrunken the world remarkably. Even remote places aren't quite as far removed from the rest of humanity anymore, thanks to the Internet, extensive transportation networks and expedited shipping services. It has...

CRW Engineering Group: 25 years of success: this engineering firm has spread its wings across the state, and has generated about $7.5 million in income this year.(Company overview)
October 1, 2006... CRW Engineering Group has its fingerprints all over Alaska and its silver anniversary cake as well. The Anchorage-based engineering firm celebrated its 25th year of doing business with and in the state in April. They are quite proud of...

Active Rotary rigs throughout Alaska and the United States (June 2005 to June 2006).(Alaska Trends for October 2006)
October 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 June 2006, the United States had 1,666...