very fall, Alaska Business magazine’s Top 49ers list celebrates forty-nine companies that contribute to Alaska’s economy, community, and culture. Top 49ers operate in all major industries in Alaska, but fifteen Associated General Contractors of Alaska members made the list: Calista Corporation; Chugach Alaska Corporation; Chugach Electric Association, Inc.; Construction Machinery Industrial, LLC; Craig Taylor Equipment; Cruz Construction, Inc.; Davis Constructors & Engineers, Inc.; Everts Air Cargo; First National Bank Alaska; Global Federal Credit Union; Great Northwest, Inc.; Lynden; Northrim Bank; Roger Hickel Contracting, Inc.; and Vitus Energy, LLC.

The Top 49ers list is composed of forty-nine Alaska-based companies that brought in the most gross revenue, as reported by the earnings numbers they share. Taken as a whole, the Top 49ers companies employ 94,278 people worldwide, including 24,954 Alaskans. To even be considered for the prestigious list, companies need to have launched their business in Alaska, maintain a headquarters within the state, and not be acquired by an Outside company.

The 2024 Top 49ers reported nearly $27 billion in gross revenue, a 12 percent increase over the previous year, according to Alaska Business. Arctic Slope Regional Corporation made the top of the list—and set a new record—with a reported $5.5 billion in gross revenue. Closing the ranks of the Top 49ers list is Everts Air Cargo, reporting $74.9 million in gross revenue.

A Chugach Electric crew rebuilds the Indian to Girdwood transmission line in Summer 2024.

Photo provided by Chugach Electric Association

But the Top 49ers list celebrates more than just high earnings—it’s a recognition of the innovation and commitment that Alaska-based companies bring to the state.

“We are truly honored to be included on the Alaska Business Top 49ers list,” says Susan Hoshaw, assistant general manager at Everts Air. “This recognition reflects our strong commitment to growth and excellence in Alaska, where we proudly serve our communities and its residents. We understand the vital role we play in the state’s transportation network, especially within the challenging Alaskan aviation industry.”

Everts Air is a family-owned and -operated business that started in Eagle in 1993. The company operates a fleet of twenty-two large and small aircraft that transport cargo and passengers within and beyond Alaska. Hoshaw says dedicated employees have driven the company’s success and growth.

In 2024, Calista Corporation and Alaska Communications representatives met with residents of Lower Kalskag, one of seven communities along the Kuskokwim River that will receive high-speed fiber optic internet through the Alaska FiberOptic Project.

Photo provided by Calista Corporation

“The success of our company can be attributed to the unwavering determination, persistence, tenacity, and innovative thinking demonstrated by all our employees,” Hoshaw says. “Shifting from a mindset of ‘We can’t do this’ to ‘How can we accomplish this’ is a prevalent theme within our organization. Despite the numerous laws, regulations, and standards we adhere to, our focus remains on finding safe and effective solutions to tasks at hand.”

Chugach Electric Association, ranking seventeenth on the list, also credits its employees with the association’s success.

“The key factor driving Chugach’s success is Chugach’s workforce, which is second to none,” says Arthur Miller, Chugach Electric Association’s CEO. “We have incredible experience and expertise among our employees. Our proactive approach to community collaboration has strengthened our relationships with members and the communities we serve.”

Chugach Electric is the largest member-owned electric cooperative in the state, providing energy to 91,000 members in more than 113,000 locations. “Our Alaska roots not only influence our operational strategies but also drive our mission to serve and support the communities we are proud to be a part of,” Miller says.

All of Chugach’s 450 employees are in Alaska, and this in-state presence strengthens the company, Miller says. The local perspective allows the company to tailor operations to meet the specific needs of the communities they serve, from addressing harsh weather conditions to ensuring reliable power in remote areas and addressing individual member needs, he says.

“Being recognized on Alaska Business’s Top 49 list is an honor for Chugach and reflects our team’s commitment to Alaska and the communities we serve,” Miller says. “This recognition also underscores our role as a partner in supporting economic growth and sustainability initiatives. Having reliable and affordable power is key to a thriving economy, and we recognize the important role we play in keeping the communities we serve thriving and healthy.”

A significant amount of revenue from Top 49 companies stays in Alaska, bringing a larger benefit to the state through property ownership or leasing, employment, use of local vendors and subcontractors, local partnerships and ties, interest in local policy, and a sense of obligation and responsibility for local communities, according to Alaska Business.

Alaska Native corporations’ revenues also benefit their Alaska Native shareholders. At Calista Corporation, for example, nearly six out of ten shareholders live in the Yukon-Kuskokwim region, where job opportunities are limited and the cost of living is astronomical.

“As an Alaska Native corporation, we are dedicated to the socio-economic wellbeing of our shareholders, who primarily live and work in Alaska,” says Thom Leonard, Calista Corporation’s vice president of corporate affairs. “Our core value of continuous improvement is ‘elluarciyaraq kesianek’ in the Yugtun language. Our core values were first articulated by our company’s early leaders, and they continue to inform our thoughts, words, and actions.”

Calista Corporation’s revenues grew to $968.7 million in 2023, and it has been featured in the top ten companies of the Top 49 list for more than a decade.

“The Top 49 list helps us communicate our achievements throughout Alaska’s business community,” Leonard says.

Calista has a significant role in economic development through business operations, Leonard says. The company’s subsidiaries are involved in important rural infrastructure projects, including renewable energy development that will help reduce reliance on expensive fuel shipments in western Alaska, as well as critical transportation projects like the Emmonak Port and regional airports, Leonard says.

“Our vision is to be a world-class corporation that exemplifies corporate responsibility, cultural stewardship, and economic stability, and our mission is to increase shareholder benefits and economic opportunities through innovation, growth, leadership, partnership, execution, and financial discipline,” he says.

This year’s honorees, from Alaska Native corporations like Calista to family-run operations like Everts Air, embody a dedication to Alaska’s prosperity, offering vital services, economic growth, and employment opportunities that strengthen communities across the state.