Alaska Chamber Announces 2024 Premier Business Award Winners
Rachel Roy, executive director, and Victoria Siegel, communications specialist of Greater Sitka Chamber of Commerce, were happy to hear the chamber was selected as the Chamber of Commerce of the Year by Alaska Chamber.
Photo Credit: Greater Sitka Chamber of Commerce
In the lead-up to its annual Alaska Business Summit, the Alaska Chamber announced the recipients of its 2024 Premier Business Awards. The awards honor a workforce development leader, a seafood industry titan, a local chamber of commerce going above and beyond, and two individuals who’ve made notable statewide contributions.
Bill Bivin Small Business of the Year: Northern Industrial Training
Established in 1993, the Bill Bivin Small Business of the Year is awarded to businesses that are independently owned and operated in Alaska with fewer than 100 employees, and which exemplify leadership and show consistent community involvement.
Northern Industrial Training (NIT) is a leader in workforce development. NIT is known for vocational skills training, business services related to compliance with Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities regulations, and tailored, client-specific safety and regulatory training.
NIT’s commitment to community extends beyond the services it provides. The company hosts fundraising events for local nonprofits, supports local sports teams, and has donated hundreds of thousands of dollars in scholarships and countless hours and materials for community projects across the state. Company leaders encourage employees to get involved in giving back to the community.
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October 2024
Rita Sholton Large Business of the Year: Trident Seafoods
The business with more than 100 employees being honored this year is Trident Seafoods. Founded in Kodiak more than fifty years ago, Trident has grown into one of Alaska’s largest private employers. Its processing plants in Alaska have more than 6,000 workers, and the company partners with more than 5,400 independent fishermen and crewmembers each year.
Trident is in the process of developing a new state-of-the-art plant, fuel facility, and cold storage facility in Dutch Harbor to replace its hub in Akutan, the largest on-shore seafood processing plant in North America.
In addition to being an economic driver, Trident gives back to Alaska. The company supports research programs for sustainable fisheries and participates in the SeaShare program, donating 30 million servings to food banks around the country over the last thirty years, among other contributions. Trident is also a leader in investing in Alaska’s workforce, partnering with Alaska Vocational Technical Center to develop a two-year skilled training course with an additional two-year post-training commitment of employment with the company.
Established in 2018, the Rita Sholton Large Business of the Year is awarded to businesses with more than 100 employees in Alaska which exemplify leadership in their industry and show consistent community involvement. It’s named for the former president and CEO of Northern Air Cargo.
Local Chamber of the Year: Greater Sitka Chamber of Commerce
Established in 1994, the Local Alaska Chamber of Commerce of the Year award recognizes the consistent community involvement and excellent business reputation of a local chamber of commerce in Alaska.
The Greater Sitka Chamber of Commerce understands the needs of the Sitka business community and has developed programs that prioritize workforce development, housing, and childcare. Its programs, including the Speaker Series, Business After Hours, and Sitka’s Emerging Leaders, bring opportunities for businesses to connect and come up with solutions to current challenges. The Sitka Chamber has also been a champion of cultural tourism for nearly ten years. Its Visit Sitka website highlights the natural beauty and rich culture of the area.
Ted Stevens Public Service Award: Jeannie Monk
The Ted Stevens Public Service Award, established in 2018, honors an individual or group who have made substantial and continual contributions of statewide significance while working in public service. This year, it goes to Alaska Hospital & Healthcare Association (AHHA) Senior Vice President Jeannie Monk.
In her fourteen years at AHHA, Monk has achieved significant policy victories that have benefited Alaska’s most vulnerable residents. She secured millions of dollars to ensure Alaska facilities can deliver the highest quality of care and has been key in spearheading initiatives to strengthen the state’s healthcare workforce. She has also worked to support birthing hospitals and obstetric teams to improve maternity care and bolster quality and patient safety, with a focus on rural communities. Prior to working at AHHA, Monk served as the planning and development director for Southeast Alaska Regional Health Consortium and was instrumental in obtaining funds to improve the health of communities throughout Southeast.
William A. Egan Outstanding Alaskan of the Year: Jeff Cook
Established in 1964, the prestigious William A. Egan Outstanding Alaskan of the Year award is presented to individuals who have made substantial and continual contributions of statewide significance while working in the private sector.
Jeff Cook began his career in real estate, purchasing and operating his father’s firm and serving in leadership roles for the Fairbanks Board of Realtors, Alaska Association of Realtors, and the National Association of Realtors. He later transitioned to the oil and gas industry, working in public affairs for ARCO Alaska and MAPCO, where he was a strong advocate for Interior Alaska. Beyond his professional roles, Cook has been deeply involved in community service, holding positions such as president of the University of Alaska Board of Regents, member of the Alaska Real Estate Commission, president of the Fairbanks Chamber of Commerce, and a long-time advisor for Alaska Airlines. His dedication to Fairbanks Memorial Hospital is notable; he led an $88 million expansion and is currently raising funds for cancer screening equipment, following the loss of his daughter this year to breast cancer.
The 2024 Premier Business Awards submissions were received and reviewed by the Executive Committee of the Alaska Chamber, made up of industry leaders across the state. Awardees will be fêted at the Alaska Business Summit on October 9 at the Westmark Fairbanks Hotel & Conference Center.
