Alaska Chamber Announces 2026 Premier Business Award Winners

The Rita Sholton Large Business of the Year, established in 2018 and named for the former president and CEO of Northern Air Cargo, is awarded to a business with more than 100 employees in Alaska, which exemplifies leadership, ethics, and organization. With 500 employees in Alaska and 5,000 worldwide, Chugach Alaska Corporation is this year’s winner.

The Alaska Native corporation for the Prince William Sound region serves about 3,000 shareholders and thousands of descendants. Over the past decade, Chugach has contributed more than $13 million to community organizations and built a Chugach Heritage Foundation endowment of more than $30 million. Its investments in education, workforce development, culture, infrastructure, and community needs include scholarships, internships, apprenticeships, and the Village in the City campus under development in Midtown Anchorage.

Outstanding Individuals

When the situation warrants, the Alaska Chamber presents a North Star Award to an individual or organization in Alaska who, through a special project, action, or concern, developed or pursued the endeavor for the betterment of all Alaska residents. This uncommon honor goes this year to Russell Dick, president and CEO of Huna Totem Corporation.

Under Dick’s leadership, Huna Totem has expanded its role in Alaska’s visitor industry while emphasizing Tlingit values and Indigenous tourism. According to his nomination, Huna Totem employs approximately 600 people annually and has returned about $125 million to Alaska communities through payroll, local purchasing, taxes, and contributions. The company has also awarded approximately 1,400 scholarships to shareholders and descendants. Dick has extended his impact through mentorship and collaboration with other Alaska Native organizations pursuing sustainable tourism and economic development opportunities.

The chamber’s William A. Egan Outstanding Alaskan of the Year award was established in 1964, when its namesake was the new state’s first governor. It goes every year to an individual who made substantial and continual contributions of statewide significance while working in the private sector. This year’s winner has done that while also playing a major role in government.

Ralph Samuels began his career with Peninsula Airways, rising from loading airplanes as a teenager to vice president of operations as the company grew into a regional airline with more than 500 employees. Samuels later served three terms in the Alaska House of Representatives, including a stint as House Majority Leader. In 2009, he returned to the private sector in senior leadership roles with Holland America Line and other Alaska tourism operations.

His service has included leadership roles with the Alaska Chamber, Anchorage Chamber of Commerce, Resource Development Council for Alaska, and Alaska Geographic. Samuels has spent decades advocating for victims’ rights and criminal justice reform, beginning with his work to advance constitutional protections for crime victims following his brother’s murder in 1989. He currently serves as principal of Samuels Consulting and on the Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation Board of Trustees.

Excellence and Greatness

A new award established this year, the Chris Birch Business Excellence Award honors an Alaska business that has made a meaningful impact within its legislative district through leadership, innovation, and community engagement. Nominated exclusively by sitting members of the Alaska Legislature, this award recognizes a business that reflects the values championed by the late Chris Birch, who represented South Anchorage in the Alaska Senate: collaboration, integrity, and a deep commitment to Alaska’s people and future.

The inaugural winner is the Lynden Family of Companies, recognized for its service to Alaska, environmental stewardship, and community engagement through transportation and logistics operations across the state. The company has earned national recognition for environmental stewardship through the US Environmental Protection Agency’s SmartWay program and supports nonprofits and community organizations through financial and in-kind contributions. Following Typhoon Halong, Lynden rapidly expanded operations to support Western Alaska communities, transporting replacement transformers, aggregate, and nearly 13 million pounds of lumber and construction materials to Bethel and Kipnuk over the course of six months.

And the Local Alaska Chamber of Commerce of the Year award goes this year to the Greater Ketchikan Chamber of Commerce. Operating with one full-time employee and no government operating funding, the chamber expanded its business services, workforce development, and economic development partnerships. Its office serves as a collaborative hub for several Ketchikan organizations, even as new programs and technology increased business visibility and member engagement. The chamber also strengthened its financial position, establishing a full year of operating reserves and increasing sponsorship and non-dues revenue. Executive Director Michelle O’Brien earned the Certified Chamber Executive designation in 2026, making her the only current Certified Chamber ExecutiveCCE in Alaska.

The Alaska Chamber says each honoree has led in their respective fields by being conscientious community members, investing in their workers, exemplifying innovation, pursuing excellence, advocating for issues that make Alaska a better place to live, collaborating with and mentoring colleagues, stewarding the environment, and responding in times of crisis. 

Awards will be presented at the Alaska Business Summit on October 15 at Alyeska Resort in Girdwood.