Alaska Business Hall of Fame Names 2027 Laureates
Photo Credit: Junior Achievement of Alaska
In advance of the induction ceremony next January, Junior Achievement (JA) of Alaska announced five laureates being honored by the Alaska Business Hall of Fame. The class of 2027 includes outstanding Alaskans in the fields of finance, construction, arts, and tribal services.
Furthering Success, Supporting the Mission
Rob Gillam and Stacia Gillam, the CEO and president (respectively) of McKinley Management, are being inducted as a couple. Dave Cruz, who founded Cruz Construction in 1981 and remains as chairman of the board, is being recognized for his mentorship in the building sector. And Gloria O’Neill, the president and CEO since 1998 of Cook Inlet Tribal Council, the social services affiliate of Cook Inlet Region, Incorporated, adds to her accolades, including last year’s William A. Egan Award for Visionary Alaskan Leadership from Commonwealth North.
Alaska Business magazine began the Alaska Business Hall of Fame in 1987 to honor outstanding individuals in Alaska businesses. Laureates are chosen for their direct impact toward furthering the success and growth of Alaska’s economy, support toward JA’s mission and programs, and demonstrated commitment to the Alaska business community.
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The induction ceremony will also present awards for JA Volunteer and Educator of the Year. The volunteer being recognized is Aurora Agee of the Alaska Small Business Development Center. The educator honor goes to Tina Bartlett, principal of Ursa Minor Elementary School on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson.
JA has also named the recipients of awards for Rural Partner of the Year, Kinross Alaska; Board Member of the Year, Danicia Shiryayev of Credit Union 1; Volunteer Partner of the Year, Matanuska Valley Federal Credit Union; School Sponsor of the Year, Taco Bell of Alaska; Heroes of the Year, Federico Caldelas of ConocoPhillips Alaska and Briana Campbell of Planned Parenthood Alliance Advocates; Life Savers of the Year, Roe Keyser and Teracina Ruppe of Wells Fargo and Connor Erickson of the Alaska Energy Authority; Sustainer Volunteers of the Year, Wendy Cox of AT&T and at-large board member Jack Amon; and Rookies of the Year, UAA students Emerie Randall and Jason Stevens.
“JA Alaska is built on the strength of our volunteers and partners,” says Flora Teo, president of JA of Alaska. “These honorees are not only giving their time; they are shaping the future of Alaska by helping students connect what they learn in school to what’s possible in life. Their impact is both immediate and long-lasting.”
The 39th annual celebration will take place at the Dena’ina Civic and Convention Center in Anchorage on January 14, 2027. The induction banquet is a fundraiser for JA of Alaska, a statewide nonprofit organization dedicated to the economic empowerment of 21,000 K–12 students in Alaska.
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