n July 13, a rare sunny day in Anchorage, dozens gathered for the annual Construction Leadership Council’s Grill & Chill event, held in the parking lot of Associated General Contractors of Alaska. There were plenty of burgers and hot dogs on hand, donated by CGC Services, as well as beer and wine, sponsored by F&W Construction Co. and Northrim Bank.

New this year was the “Ride the Red” bucking salmon competition, in which a $100 (or more) donation meant a coworker could be nominated to take a spin on the bucking salmon. A championship belt awaited the person who could stay on the salmon the longest. Several members of the younger set kept the bucking salmon warmed up and ready for the legitimate competitors. Scott Vierra of North Star Equipment Services held on to the bucking salmon long enough to secure himself a second-place finish, but the championship belt ultimately went to Keith Hodson, with the Anchorage School District, who held on for a whopping 30 seconds.