ow in its tenth year of business, Eklutna Construction and Maintenance has become a major player in Alaska, taking on federal, state, and municipal projects. The company specializes in new construction and renovation projects, primarily on military installations in Southcentral and the Interior.

“Eklutna self-performs minor civil, minor concrete, carpentry, electrical, and dry-side mechanical work on most of its projects, allowing for greater control over quality, schedule, and cost,” says General Manager Bill Doss. “Eklutna is a competitive and successful contractor outside the federal government contracting arena as well.”

Over the past eight and a half years, Doss says the company has completed projects for the Anchorage School District, the State of Alaska, Municipality of Anchorage, and private clients.

Owned by the Alaska Native village corporation Eklutna, Inc., Eklutna Construction and Maintenance launched in 2016 under the US Small Business Administration’s 8(a) Business Development Program. Two years later, Doss, who possesses extensive experience overseeing large construction projects, was brought in as general manager.

“When I came on board, I was given a lot of autonomy to take the company in a different direction and grow the revenue,” Doss says. “It’s for the benefit of the employees, staff members, and to provide a benefit back to the Native Village of Eklutna shareholders.”

Doss is Alaska Native. His father was serving in the US Army when he met and married Doss’ mother. Though born in Ohio, his family divided its time between the two states. As an adult, he’s called Alaska home for twenty-one years.

“When I got old enough to where it was my decision making, I chose Alaska,” he explains.

Doss began his construction career after high school, and gained “extensive hands-on experience across multiple trades and project types,” he says. He attended a construction management program in Ohio, he adds, but owing to career demands he came just short of finishing a degree. He’s worked in construction for thirty-eight years, including operating his own company in Ohio.

“I’ve pretty much run the gamut for background and experience,” he says.

Bill Doss, center front, stands with the members of the Eklutna Construction and Maintenance team inside its Viking Dr. shop location in Anchorage.

Under Doss’ leadership, Eklutna Construction has rapidly grown its footprint in Alaska by working on federal, state, municipal, and Alaska Native corporation projects.

Doss cites Eklutna’s work rebuilding and upgrading Anchorage School District roofs as one of many examples of the company’s focus on “sustainment, renovation, and maintenance” projects.

Edie Knapp, construction supervisor for the Anchorage School District’s Capital Planning and Construction department, praises Eklutna’s capabilities. The district’s history with Eklutna, Inc. began with Eklutna Services, with Eklutna Construction and Maintenance’s predecessor company.

“The district has worked with Eklutna, Inc. for almost fifteen years. Eklutna has always been professional and responsive to the needs of the district. They stepped up to assist the district with recovery after the November 2018 earthquake, ensuring a timely and safe return to education for the students,” Knapp says.

“The company participates pretty heavily in the Southcentral construction market,” Doss says. “We’ve done work for UAA, Southcentral Foundation, Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium, and various other state and municipal clients.”

The F-35A OSS Weapons Intelligence Facility at Eielson Air Force Base, for which Eklutna Construction and Maintenance was the general contractor.

Recently, Eklutna shifted its focus to federal and military contracts, such as those related to Joint Base Elmendorf Richardson, Eielson Air Force Base, and Fort Wainwright.

“It’s basically a federal government contracting company,” Doss explains, adding that Eklutna’s workload is about 15 percent new buildings and 85 percent renovation projects. “It’s primarily renovations to existing facilities and infrastructure via multi-year contracts on JBER, Eielson, and Fort Wainwright.”

Eklutna was awarded the $12.8 million contract to build the F-35 Operations Support Squadron’s Weapons/Intelligence Facility at Eielson Air Force Base in 2018. Calling it “the milestone project for Eklutna,” Doss says the Eklutna team is particularly proud of that project.

Building a high-security facility in Interior Alaska is no easy task. But on this and other federal projects, the Eklutna Construction and Maintenance team received praise, Doss says. He notes that Eklutna has “demonstrated exceptional performance on previous and current multi-year contracts, often leading in the overall volume of awards while achieving favorable CPARS [Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System] ratings from the various government clients.”

Those favorable ratings come in part from Eklutna’s commitment to delivering complex projects safely, on time, and on budget. That commitment goes beyond Doss’ leadership.

Building a solid reputation is a team effort, he explains. The company’s team of project managers, superintendents, estimators, quality control managers, administrative staff, and field employees collectively enable the company to succeed and grow in a challenging and competitive construction market, he says.

“One thing I don’t believe is that a company is about one person. I can’t do anything without these people. Our fantastic team is the reason why we have success. It’s all of us,” Doss says.