The Top 49ers: Teamwork at the Top of the
World
Teamwork: 1) A joint action by a group of people, in which
individual interests are subordinated to group unity and efficiency, coordinated
effort, as of an athletic team. 2) Work done by or with a team.
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 have staff who work together
in an efficient manner. They also must have leadership that knows how to lead,
knows how to provide for its employees, and knows how to change with the
ever-changing market.
2002 has been a
difficult year. Nationwide the economy has struggled, as evidenced by the
battered stock market. Also news of scandals, such as those at WorldCom and
Enron, has created some panic and caused many individuals to wonder who they can
trust if they can’t trust old faithfuls. All this while the nation recovers from
the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks that shook the world.
It’s a tough
time to own and operate a business. All the more reason to applaud these 49
Alaskan-owned and -operated businesses that make up this year’s Top 49ers
listing. These companies are honest and provide quality goods and products. They
contribute to the state’s economy in a positive way.
To qualify as a
Top 49er, the company must be operated for profit, have significant operations
in the state, and be owned at least 51 percent by Alaskans. Although the
majority of Alaska firms are privately held, publicly held firms can be
eligible. State-owned businesses and corporations are not eligible. Ranking is
based on gross revenue for 2001, and ranges from $1,061 billion for the company
in first place, to $13.14 million for the company in 49th position.
Leading the
list for the past eight years is Arctic Slope Regional Corp. President and CEO
Jacob Adams heads this impressive Native organization, which employs 6,000
individuals worldwide. It has increased revenues by 2.54 percent since 2000 and
has had gross revenues that topped $1 billion for two years running.
Coming in
second is Cook Inlet Region Inc., also one of the 13 Native regional
corporations formed by the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act, which was passed
in 1971. Cook Inlet employs 78 individuals and had gross 2001 revenues of $854
million.
Native
organizations continue to dominate this list. The 13 Native organizations that
comprise this listing are Arctic Slope Regional Corp., Bristol Bay Native Corp.,
Calista Corp., Chenega Corp., Chugach Alaska Corp., Cook Inlet Region Inc.,
Doyon Ltd., Goldbelt Inc., Klukwan Inc., Koniag Inc., NANA Regional Corp. Inc.,
The Aleut Corp. and Ukeakgvik Inuipiat Corp. Combined, these organizations have
gross revenues that total more than $2.9 billion and they employ 14,209
individuals.
The
construction and finance/insurance/real estate industries are also well
represented on this listing this year. There were eight construction companies
that made the rank, with 2001 revenues that totaled $788.2 million. These firms
employ nearly 5,000 individuals. There were eight finance/insurance/real estate
companies that made this listing, with gross 2001 revenues totaling $611.95
million. These F.I.R.E. companies employ 1,742 individuals.
New to the
listing this year or returning after a several year absence are Alacan
Electrical and Engineering Inc., Calista Corp., Chenega Corp., Mt. McKinley
Bank, Peak Oilfield Service Co., Prudential Jack White Vista Real Estate, Roger
Hickel Contracting, Superior Plumbing and Heating Inc. and The Alaska Club.
Not returning
from last year’s listing were Ahtna Inc., Alaska Industrial Hardware Inc.,
Anchorage Nissan/Jeep/Eagle Inc., Fairbanks Nissan, McKinley Capital Management
Inc., Northern Sales Co. of Alaska Inc., Sealaska Corp., The Odom Corp. and Unit
Co. In the majority of cases, these businesses were not considered for the
listing this year because they chose not to participate by returning the survey
required for inclusion
Alaska Business
Monthly celebrated the accomplishments of these 49 companies at a special
luncheon co-sponsored by Alaska Business Monthly and the Anchorage Chamber of
Commerce on Sept. 30 at the Sheraton Anchorage Hotel.
