Best Places to Work in Alaska

Hands down I would say this issue lists forty-nine of the best places to work in Alaska—our 2016 Top 49ers. Although, I should point out that we originally intended to expound on the First Annual Best of Alaska Business Awards winners of the Best Place to Work category, it just so happens that two of the three happen to be Top 49ers: First National Bank Alaska and Bristol Bay Native Corporation.

Anchorage Fracture and Orthopedic Clinic is the other Best Place to Work winner, so there you have fifty great employers. Fifty-one: I have to include Alaska Business Monthly, which really is a great place to work.

Although most votes determined the Best Place to Work winners, we also asked: “Why?” Survey responders could select one of three responses to seven different workplace characteristics: mostly, somewhat, or not so much. For example, of all the survey responses to the Best Place to Work question, Positive Culture ranked highest at 93%; it was followed by Great Coworkers 90%, Supportive Environment 89%, Effective Leadership 85%, Meaningful Work 82%, Challenging Work 75%, and Professional Development 73%.

All the responders for the third place Foraker Award recipient Bristol Bay Native Corporation selected “mostly,” which garnered the company 100% in every one of the seven categories. Responses for the second place St. Elias Award winner Anchorage Fracture and Orthopedic Clinic were: Great Coworkers, Meaningful Work, and Supportive Environment 92%; Professional Development 85%; Challenging Work 77%; and Positive Culture and Effective Leadership 69%.

First National Bank Alaska, voted the Best Place to Work in Alaska, and thus the winner of the Denali Award, also had a variety of responses: Great Coworkers topped the list at 93%, followed closely by Supportive Environment 90%, Positive Culture and Effective Leadership 88%, Meaningful Work 85%, Professional Development 78%, and Challenging Work 70%.

We hope the information is helpful and revealing. And we hope you find the October issue helpful and revealing—two great special sections: Arctic Oil & Gas and our famous Top 49ers—Visions for the Arctic. The team has put together another really great issue—enjoy!

SUSAN HARRINGTON, MANAGING EDITOR