The Alaska Contractor logo
A Publication of the
Associated General
Contractors of Alaska
The Alaska Contractor logo
A Publication of the
Associated General
Contractors of Alaska
Winter 2022
Associated General Contractors of Alaska
8005 Schoon St.
Anchorage, AK 99518
907-561-5354
Fax: 907-562-6118
www.agcak.org
frontdesk@agcak.org
EDITORIAL BOARD
Margaret Empie
Associated General Contractors of Alaska

Jenith Ziegler
ChemTrack Alaska Inc.

David Haynes
First National Bank Alaska

Pearl-Grace Pantaleone
Cornerstone General Contractors

Sarah Lefebvre
Exclusive Paving

Alicia Amberg
Associated General Contractors of Alaska

Christine A. White
R&M Consultants Inc.

Heather Sottosanti

EDITORIAL STAFF
Tasha Anderson
Managing Editor

Rindi White
Editor

Monica Sterchi-Lowman
Art Director

Fulvia Lowe
Art Production

James K Brown
Graphic Designer

BUSINESS STAFF
Charles Bell
VP Sales & Marketing
907-257-2909 cbell@akbizmag.com

Janis J. Plume
Senior Account Manager
907-257-2917 janis@akbizmag.com

Christine Merki
Advertising Account Manager
907-257-2911 cmerki@akbizmag.com

ALASKA BUSINESS PUBLISHING CO. INC
501 W. Northern LIghts Blvd., Ste 100
Anchorage, AK 99503

The Alaska Contractor is published by Alaska Business Publishing Co. Inc. for the Associated General Contractors of Alaska. Contents of the magazine are not necessarily endorsed by AGC of Alaska or Alaska Business Publishing Co. All rights reserved. Copyright 2022 by the Associated General Contractors of Alaska. For information about articles in this edition or for permission to reproduce any portion of it, contact Alaska Business Publishing Co.

COVER
Cover photo courtesy of JD Steel Co. Inc.
Cover design by James K Brown
The Alaska Contractor logo
Table of COntents
PROFILES
DAMA Industrial by Jamey Bradbury

JD Steel Co. Inc. by Rachael Kvapil

Congdon Construction, Inc. by Rachael Kvapil

Accupoint, Inc. by David A. James

Project updates
TECHNOLOGY
Putting Safety First by Nancy Erickson
The Alaska Contractor logo
Table of COntents
Features
PROFILES
DAMA Industrial by Jamey Bradbury

JD Steel Co. Inc. by Rachael Kvapil

Congdon Construction, Inc. by Rachael Kvapil

Accupoint, Inc. by David A. James

Project updates
TECHNOLOGY
Putting Safety First by Nancy Erickson
Departments, Columns and Other AGC Content
Associated General Contractors of Alaska
8005 Schoon St.
Anchorage, AK 99518
907-561-5354
Fax: 907-562-6118
www.agcak.org
frontdesk@agcak.org
EDITORIAL BOARD
Margaret Empie
Associated General Contractors of Alaska

Jenith Ziegler
ChemTrack Alaska Inc.

David Haynes
First National Bank Alaska

Pearl-Grace Pantaleone
Cornerstone General Contractors

Sarah Lefebvre
Exclusive Paving

Alicia Amberg
Associated General Contractors of Alaska

Christine A. White
R&M Consultants Inc.

Heather Sottosanti

EDITORIAL STAFF
Tasha Anderson
Managing Editor

Rindi White
Editor

Monica Sterchi-Lowman
Art Director

Fulvia Lowe
Art Production

James K Brown
Graphic Designer

BUSINESS STAFF
Charles Bell
VP Sales & Marketing
907-257-2909 cbell@akbizmag.com

Janis J. Plume
Senior Account Manager
907-257-2917 janis@akbizmag.com

Christine Merki
Advertising Account Manager
907-257-2911 cmerki@akbizmag.com

ALASKA BUSINESS PUBLISHING CO. INC
501 W. Northern LIghts Blvd., Ste 100
Anchorage, AK 99503

The Alaska Contractor is published by Alaska Business Publishing Co. Inc. for the Associated General Contractors of Alaska. Contents of the magazine are not necessarily endorsed by AGC of Alaska or Alaska Business Publishing Co. All rights reserved. Copyright 2022 by the Associated General Contractors of Alaska. For information about articles in this edition or for permission to reproduce any portion of it, contact Alaska Business Publishing Co.

COVER
Cover photo courtesy of JD Steel Co. Inc.
Cover design by James K Brown
Winning Bids • Winning Bids • Winning Bids • Winning Bids
map of Alaska
Winning Bids title
Note: Winning Bids and Construction Trends
  1. Source from projects advertised in AGC of Alaska Online Plans
  2. Calculations based on date of bid
  3. Supply/Service: Non-Construction bid results are not always advertised in AGC of Alaska Online Plans
  4. RFP results are not always advertised in AGC of Alaska Online Plans
The Associated General Contractors of Alaska logoAGC MEMBER
The Associated General Contractors of Alaska logo
Calendar of Events 2022 title
Annual Alaska Conference Part Two:

Dinner Dance, Awards, Receptions
January 28-29
Hotel Captain Cook, Anchorage
Legislative Fly-In

February 8-9 (Tentative)
Juneau
Construction Spending Forecast Breakfast

February 11
AGC Office, Fairbanks
Construction Spending Forecast Breakfast

February 11
Lakefront Hotel, Anchorage
Bowl-a-Thon or Ice Fishing (TBD)

February 26
Fairbanks
CLC Speed Interviewing

February 16
AGC Office, Anchorage
AGC Agency Day

April 14
Fairbanks
AGC Spring Kickoff Party & Excellence Reception

April 14 (Tentative)
Fairbanks
AGC Spring Board Meeting

April 15
Fairbanks
Event schedules may be impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Please visit agcak.org for the most up-to-date information.
Title of article
Yellow Stroke
2016
Pink Stroke
2017
Cyan
2018
Green Stroke
2019
Purple Stroke
2020
Orange Stroke
2021
Yellow Stroke
2016
Pink Stroke
2017
Cyan
2018
Green Stroke
2019
Purple Stroke
2020
Orange Stroke
2021
Construction Trends Graphs
Sarah Lefebvre Headshot
SARAH LEFEBVRE
President
The Associated General Contractors of Alaska logo
PRESIDENT’S
MESSAGE
Mentoring invests in the future
By Sarah Lefebvre, President
T

he path to each Associated General Contractors, or AGC, of Alaska presidency is as unique as the remarkable individuals who have held this seat before me.

Even before the path to AGC presidency there was the path to construction, which is a story I will save for another time, only referencing my brother’s comment, “You’re going to own part of a construction company? But you don’t know how to build roads!”

I still haven’t actually sat in the equipment and “built” a road, but I am part of an incredible team of people that, with all of us doing our part, builds roads, airports, building sites, utilities, and so much more.

Alicia Amberg Headshot
Alicia Amberg
Executive Director
The Associated General Contractors of Alaska logo
EXECUTIVE
DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE
Celebrating wins and delivering value to members
By Alicia Amberg
N

ote 2021 as another year for the record books. Honestly, we are all more than ready to leave it there, never to be repeated. On the positive side, conflict almost always reveals new opportunities. We certainly found that to be true at Associated General Contractors, or AGC, of Alaska. Despite staring down one obstacle after another, we at AGC of Alaska did what we always do—we led the way for our industry and helped our members successfully navigate threats and barriers.

It wasn’t all bad: 2021 brought with it COVID-19 vaccines for our workforce, allowing many of us to return to a more normal work environment. While it may not yet be time to declare victory over the pandemic, and while the thorny issue of vaccine mandates remains in flux, we are certainly better positioned to fully recover than just one year ago.

The Associated General Contractors of Alaska logo
Welcome, New AGC Members
From August 18, 2021 through November 19, 2021
GENERAL
Callahan Construction Company
Ben Callahan, Owner
Tanya Callahan, Vice President
1617 Davison St.
North Pole, AK 99705
Phone: 907-488-5290
ben.callahan@callahanak.com
tanya@callahanak.com
callahanak.com
Provides highly efficient and specialized construction, design, engineering, management, and execution services to the most demanding clients in the state of Alaska.
ASSOCIATE
Holland & Hart, LLP
Wiley Cason, Associate
Michael Geraghty, Of Counsel
1029 W Third Ave., Ste. 550
Anchorage, AK 99501
Phone: 907-865-2600
Fax: 907-865-2680
wgcason@hollandhart.com
mcgeraghty@hollandhart.com
hollandhart.com
Legal firm.
Frampton & Opinsky
Erik Frampton, Property Manager
Bridget Tatalias, Property Manager
2525 Blueberry Rd.
Anchorage, AK 99503
Phone: 907-276-1007
Fax: 907-258-4207
erik@officeak.com
bridget@officeak.com
officeak.com
Commercial leasing, commercial real estate sales, property management.
AGC of Alaska Hybrid Annual Conference
Two person zoom meeting
Three person zoom call
Man presenting images on a whiteboard
Selfie zoom call
2

021 has been a year when flexibility became a daily exercise. Supply shortages? No problem. Testing requirements and vaccination mandates? We’re on it. Too few employees? We have a plan for that, too.

So when COVID-19 case numbers climbed in the fall and Associated General Contractors of Alaska staff and AGC Annual Conference Committee members discussed what to do about the conference, knowing members were eager to meet in person—safely—but also needed valuable information about state and federal project plans for 2022, the annual conference was split into two: A virtual two-day session where upcoming projects were discussed and a second, in-person event where members will be able to kick up their heels at the dinner/dance, honor the Hard Hat and Volunteer of the Year awardees, and celebrate in person the Excellence in Construction and Excellence in Safety awards.

The Associated General Contractors of Alaska logo
Project
Update
Taking Flight title
Climate Change Provides Steady Stream of Airport Repair Needs
By David A. James
Concrete hardstands, which prevent settling caused by the weight of large aircraft, were installed by QAP at Ralph Wien Memorial Airport in Kotzebue.

Photo courtesy of Matt Schram, project superintendent for QAP

Concrete hardstands, which prevent settling caused by the weight of large aircraft, were installed by QAP at Ralph Wien Memorial Airport in Kotzebue.

Photo courtesy of Matt Schram, project superintendent for QAP

Taking Flight title
Climate Change Provides Steady Stream of Airport Repair Needs
By David A. James
A

nyone who has driven more than a handful of miles in Alaska knows pavement does not do well in the North. Despite nonstop efforts from the Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities, or DOT&PF, to keep highways in working order, frost heaves, erosion, subsidence, and other natural subsurface occurrences are perpetually turning the state’s highways into obstacle courses. Drivers here are well acquainted with the temporary loss of vehicular control that occurs when they suddenly hit an unexpected bulge or pothole. It can be dangerous if they’re moving quickly, especially if the road is icy.

Now imagine what pilots experience when they land a plane at an airport plagued by the same conditions.

“The larger regional-hub certified airport runways serve high-performance jet aircraft,” says Roger Maggard, statewide airport development manager with the DOT&PF. “So, they’re sensitive to minor variations in the runway surface that wouldn’t necessarily cause problems to somebody landing in a Cessna 206—but for these large high-performance aircraft going fast, it does cause problems.”

Doing More For You title
AGC 2021 Annual Report to Members
Photos courtesy of AGC of Alaska
Doing More For You title
construction site
Photos courtesy of AGC of Alaska
Doing More For You title
AGC of Alaska team reinforced value of construction industry in 2021
By Associated General Contractors of Alaska staff
AGC 2021 Annual Report to Members
A

s you page through our 2021 annual report, we challenge you to ask yourself where your business—or our industry—would be without the force-multiplying efforts and leadership of AGC of Alaska and AGC of America combined. Working through our long-established partners and leveraging our respected relationships with government agencies, we successfully kept construction classified as an essential industry through the height of the pandemic.

The pandemic accelerated our efforts in all areas of our mission of advocating, educating, and promoting our members and Alaska’s construction industry. AGC helped shape the parameters of the national infrastructure bill that’s poised to bring millions of dollars in federal funding to our state. At the local level, we were the first group to expand learning opportunities to our audience in a virtual, more convenient manner to the student. AGC has consistently promoted the message that construction is essential, which has since converted into a state/nationwide workforce development campaign.

The Associated General Contractors of Alaska logo
Your 2021-2022 Executive Board and Board of Directors
T

his year has been challenging for the Associated General Contractors, or AGC, of Alaska and its members—as much or even more so than 2020. AGC leaders took on each challenge, ensuring that AGC members were informed about changes to work-related policies and aware of new programs that might benefit member companies, and ultimately advocating on behalf of members every chance they had.

AGC of Alaska would like to welcome the 2021/2022 executive board and all the members of its board of directors as we embark on a new year of service.

The Associated General Contractors of Alaska logo
Member Profile
DAMA Industrial
Tackling Challenges
with Ingenuity
DAMA Industrial’s creativity and problem-solving make it one of Alaska’s leading industrial coating and lining companies
By Jamey Bradbury
The Associated General Contractors of Alaska logo
Member Profile
DAMA Industrial
Construction workers
Tackling Challenges
with Ingenuity
DAMA Industrial’s creativity and problem-solving make it one of Alaska’s leading industrial coating and lining companies
By Jamey Bradbury
M

ike Andersen drives. A lot. If the employees of DAMA Industrial—a painting, coating, and lining company Anderson started with partner David Arthun—are working anywhere along Alaska’s road system, Andersen will find his way there.

“I probably average about 30,000 miles a year,” Andersen says. “At least once a week, either [DAMA Project Manager] Aaron McLaughlin or I get out and make a presence. That’s a key part—making sure the owners and contractors see you, and that your employees see you—that makes a huge difference.”

The Associated General Contractors of Alaska logo
Associated General Contractors of Alaska
2022 Legislative Priorities
By Meg Nordale and Regina Daniels, co-chairs of the Associated General Contractors of Alaska Legislative Affairs Committee, and Alicia Amberg, AGC executive director
A

s you read this article you just might have a deja vu moment. The Associated General Contractors, or AGC, of Alaska has been very consistent and vocal in articulating our priorities to the governor and the legislature over the last several years. Some priorities align with other trade associations. We all want a sustainable state budget: one that is business friendly, builds the economy, creates certainty and jobs. Our major trepidation has been the capital budget; it is typically among the last items considered in the budgeting process and often held hostage to garner votes that are not relevant to the capital budget.

The Legislative Affairs Committee continues to have in-depth discussions on a strategy to convey the immense impacts of treating the capital budget as a political football. With the recent passage of the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and other major increases in federal transportation dollars allocated to our state, it’s imperative Alaska meets our 10 percent match portion so we don’t miss out. This may require a much larger capital budget than we’ve seen in recent years.

Photo courtesy of ASRC
Listed
Twenty-two AGC of Alaska members make the Alaska Business Top 49ers list
By Rachael Kvapil
Photo courtesy of ASRC
Photo courtesy of ASRC
Listed
Twenty-two AGC of Alaska members make the Alaska Business Top 49ers list
By Rachael Kvapil
A

fter the personal and professional disruptions of 2020, the languishing difficulties in 2021 often left businesses wondering if the glass was half full, half empty, or if they should just be grateful to have a glass. This is when tradition shines best because it not only gives us a reason to celebrate, but often gives us a benchmark that adds clarity during uncertain times. For Alaska businesses, that benchmark is the Top 49ers list published every year by Alaska Business. The Top 49ers list consists of locally owned businesses ranked by gross revenue. Each Top 49er must be at least 51-percent Alaskan-owned (i.e. headquartered in Alaska with continuous operations in Alaska). For the purposes of ranking the Top 49ers, assets or assets managed are not calculated into gross revenue.Another reason for celebration: Of the forty-nine companies on the list, twenty-two are Associated General Contractors of Alaska, or AGC, members.

The Associated General Contractors of Alaska logo
Project
Update
Load Lifted text
The Associated General Contractors of Alaska logo
Project
Update
Alaska Railroad Gets Four New Load Lifters
By Kevin Klott
Photo courtesy of All Pro Alaska Forklifts
Photo courtesy of All Pro Alaska Forklifts
Load Lifted text
Alaska Railroad Gets Four New Load Lifters
By Kevin Klott
T

he Alaska Railroad Corporation, or ARRC, prides itself on being the backbone of the Last Frontier, hauling freight and passengers from Seward to Fairbanks since the early 1900s. But part of that pride includes knowing when it’s time to modernize.

Recently, the state-owned corporation welcomed four heavy-duty loaded container handlers, also known as van loaders, to replace its aging and unreliable freight equipment. Two of the new Toyota machines operate in Fairbanks while the other two work in Anchorage.

“The main improvement we see right out of the gate is equipment reliability,” says Scott Byron, ARRC’s trailer-on-flatcar, or TOFC, mechanical supervisor in Fairbanks. “The decades-old LeTourneau van loaders are tired and constantly require attention.”

Backbone Boost
Federal infrastructure bill stands to help residents and boost economy
By Rindi White
Photo courtesy of Christian Gou-Leonhardt, Brice Equipment
Federal infrastructure bill stands to help residents and boost economy
Photo courtesy of Christian Gou-Leonhardt, Brice Equipment
Backbone Boost
Federal infrastructure bill stands to help residents and boost economy
By Rindi White
A

laska faces some monumental infrastructure challenges. We are a large state with few residents, mostly living in three major population areas and using most of the same roads, with important transportation-related connections between them that must be maintained despite harsh weather that degrades those transportation routes.A March 2021 National Infrastructure report card by the American Society of Civil Engineers, or ASCE, Alaska section gave the state a C- overall for the condition of its existing infrastructure—that covers everything from aviation and broadband availability to drinking water, solid waste services, roads, bridges, and dams.

Alaska has about 15,700 lane miles of road, 3,737 of which are paved, noted Dave Gamez, an ASCE member and engineer with Lounsbury & Associates, Inc. at a September 29 presentation to Commonwealth North where the infrastructure report card was discussed. Comparatively, Texas, at less than half the size of Alaska, has 675,600 lane miles of paved road.

Photo courtesy of Stephen Nowers, Cruz Construction
construction truck
Photo courtesy of Stephen Nowers, Cruz Construction
Alaska-related funding and opportunities in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act
*Note: unless otherwise noted, numbers are nationwide program funding over five years.
Roads/Bridges:
  • Authorizes $273 billion in federal-aid highway formula funding that will provide roughly $3.5 billion in highway funding for Alaska over five years to construct, rebuild, and maintain roads and highways.
  • Provides $40 billion in funding for bridge construction, maintenance, and repair. Of that, $27.5 billion will be apportioned by formula. Alaska should receive $225 million to address more than 140 bridges considered to be “structurally deficient.”
  • This includes $1 billion for the replacement of culverts.
  • There is an additional $11 billion for highway and pedestrian safety programs, including significant investment in the Safe Streets Program, which aims to prevent death and serious injury to cyclists on roads and streets.
  • Of almost $65 billion in total funding for Federal Transit Administration, Alaska is expected to receive $362 million over five years for a mix of transit formula grants.
The Associated General Contractors of Alaska logo
Member Profile
JD Steel Co. Inc.

Doing It
Right

JD Steel Co. Inc.’s focus on logistics, communication spells success
By Rachael Kvapil
The Associated General Contractors of Alaska logo
Member Profile
JD Steel Co. Inc.
the base foundations of a factory in mid-construction
Doing It Right
JD Steel Co. Inc.’s focus on logistics, communication spells success
By Rachael Kvapil
H

ealth and safety have always been important within the construction industry, and the pandemic took protocols to the next level. For JD Steel Co., Inc., health and safety are an integral part of keeping workers safe. When lockdowns happened in spring 2020, the company was able to implement a contingency plan that allowed employees to continue working without disruption to their schedule.

“It definitely was a new challenge for us,” says Scott Hamilton, JD Steel’s vice president and Alaska regional manager. “We credit our employee-owner leadership and communication philosophy. By communicating needs and expectations, we’ve been able to manage our way through COVID. We put our employees’ health and safety first, and our clients ended up winning.”

headshot of Ryan Gilchrist
Ryan Gilchrist
Attorney, Oles Morrison
Rinker & Baker LLP
The Associated General Contractors of Alaska logo
Contractors
& the law
headshot of Ryan Gilchrist
Ryan Gilchrist
Attorney, Oles Morrison
Rinker & Baker LLP
The Associated General Contractors of Alaska logo
Contractors
& the law
What to Do After a Vaccine Mandate Impacts your Work
By Ryan Gilchrist
S

tate and federal vaccine mandates have significantly impacted the construction industry nationwide. While Alaska is one of a number of states suing the federal government for its vaccine mandate, until there is resolution through the courts, the current mandates remain in place and enforceable.

This article does not consider the merits of the mandates or a suit against them but instead provides insight into what contractors can do to protect themselves and preserve claims when their existing projects are impacted by vaccine mandates. Contractors have been affected in varying ways including—but not limited to—labor shortages, supply chain impacts, delays in permit processing and inspections, increased costs, and time for providing employees required time off to get the vaccines and recover and/or required COVID-19 testing for those employees who remain unvaccinated.

Congratulations Winter 2022 UAF Scholarship Recipients!
I am grateful and honored to have received a scholarship from the Associated General Contractors of Alaska, or AGC, for the 2020/2021 school year. I am in my senior year of college and will be graduating from UAF’s Community Technical College this spring with my associates in construction management. I have been taking night classes and working full time as an IUOE Local 302 heavy equipment operator so I can pay for school out of pocket while also continuing my education. This scholarship helps alleviate that financial burden. Thank you, AGC, for giving back to Alaskans and helping me pursue my goals.

—Mackenzie Rohn Emerick, UAF Construction Management, recipient of AGC UAF CTC Construction Management scholarship

The Associated General Contractors of Alaska logo
Member Profile
Congdon Construction, Inc.
Niche Market Wins Big in Bush Alaska
By Rachael Kvapil
Congdon Construction, Inc. is currently building a new church in Chefornak for the Catholic Diocese of Fairbanks. President and owner Doug Congdon says it is one of his favorite projects so far.
The Associated General Contractors of Alaska logo
Member Profile
Congdon Construction, Inc.
Congdon Construction, Inc. building a new church in Chefornak for the Catholic Diocese of Fairbanks
Congdon Construction, Inc. is currently building a new church in Chefornak for the Catholic Diocese of Fairbanks. President and owner Doug Congdon says it is one of his favorite projects so far.
Niche Market Wins Big in Bush Alaska
By Rachael Kvapil
D

oug Congdon, president and owner of Congdon Construction, Inc. understands what it takes to run a generational company. He and his sister, Katalla Fairbanks, both of Fairbanks, took the reins in 2010 from their father, Carl “Jim” Congdon. They know the best way to further grow the company is through recruiting fresh talent and new ideas. Though Congdon Construction is a smaller company, they have developed a well-defined niche market that has led to success in rural Alaska.

“We mostly construct housing units, commercial buildings, and civil projects in remote locations,” says Doug Congdon. “We fully understand the logistical challenges of working with barges, air freight, and trucking to get materials and crews to rural communities on time and in a cost-efficient manner.”

Darci Ahlin-Stieren headshot
Darci Ahlin-Stieren
Owner
HR Solutions LLC
The Associated General Contractors of Alaska logo
Human
Resources
Updates
Darci Ahlin-Stieren headshot
Darci Ahlin-Stieren
Owner
HR Solutions LLC
The Associated General Contractors of Alaska logo
Human
Resources
Updates
Navigating the “Great Resignation”
By Darci Ahlin-Stieren
H

ere we are, two years out from the start of the global COVID-19 pandemic. I don’t know about you, but Space Mountain at Walt Disney World pales in comparison to this ride. One of the greatest shifts our country has experienced through this journey has been related to employment.

With our country’s labor market in a precarious position, getting people back to work is top of mind for every business. I recently met up with a group of leaders representing a variety of industries. The subject of “the great resignation” was raised, piquing curiosity around the table. I spent the next hour sharing ideas and best practices to mitigate turnover, strengthen organizations, and improve leadership as a result.

The Associated General Contractors of Alaska logo
TECHNOLOGY
Putting Safety First
New safety database provides free templates, safety training presentations, and more
By Nancy Erickson
A construction worker in the field utilizes Procore’s safety database to determine job site risks before they happen.
A construction worker in the field utilizes Procore’s safety database to determine job site risks before they happen.
Putting Safety First
New safety database provides free templates, safety training presentations, and more
By Nancy Erickson
K

eeping construction workers safe is not a proprietary issue. The safety committee at Associated General Contractors of Alaska, or AGC, now offers members and non-members access to a new and improved database housing a wide range of safety-related documents.

AGC made the switch to Procore Technologies’ construction safety database this summer. The new database is much more user-friendly than the previous software program, says AGC Events and Communications Coordinator Kimberley Gray.

“It is now much easier to upload new documents, update documents already in the database, and add new users as well,” Gray says.

headshot of Kiersten Russell
Kiersten Russell
Commercial Loan Officer
Northrim Bank
The Associated General Contractors of Alaska logo
Financial Services
& Contractors
headshot of Kiersten Russell
Kiersten Russell
Commercial Loan Officer
Northrim Bank
The Associated General Contractors of Alaska logo
Financial Services & Contractors
Deconstructing Your Financial Statements
By Kiersten Russell
H

ave you ever wondered what a banker looks at when reviewing financial statements? If you have applied for a loan before, you’ve probably been asked to provide a copy of your financials. A banker will review these documents and compute a variety of ratios to determine the financial health of a company. Various internal (managers) and external (bankers, bonding companies) users utilize financial statements to make informed decisions about a company’s future and to understand how a company has performed. Financial ratios can be broken down into four main categories—profitability, liquidity, leverage, and efficiency.

Profitability
Profitability ratios measure a company’s ability to earn profit from its operations. An income statement provides information on a company’s history and performance. Therefore, a banker can analyze the strength and stability of a company by evaluating the following profitability ratios:
headshot of Rebekah Matar
Rebekah Matar
Owner
AK Safety Training Services
The Associated General Contractors of Alaska logo
Safety
Report
headshot of Rebekah Matar
Rebekah Matar
Owner
AK Safety Training Services
The Associated General Contractors of Alaska logo
Safety
Report
The Importance of Good Leadership and Discipline Within a Safety Program
By Rebekah Matar
I

t can be confusing to try to determine what is the most important component of a safety program. I believe that all components of a safety program are important and are designed to work together. Two key components are good leadership and discipline. When used in the right way, discipline by good leadership can establish a company’s commitment to safety.

When using discipline in your safety program, you have the potential to transform negative behavior into positive behavior. Most people think of discipline as a punishment, which portrays it in a negative light. If used correctly—with good leadership—discipline can be a process in which supervisors encourage employees to demonstrate proper workplace safety, forming positive motivation and reinforcement.

The Associated General Contractors of Alaska logo
Member Profile
Accupoint, Inc.
On Point
Accupoint Helps Contractors Find Efficiency Using Precision Technology
By David A. James
The Associated General Contractors of Alaska logo
Member Profile
Accupoint, Inc.
Accupoint, Inc. van and machines on sight
On Point
Accupoint Helps Contractors Find Efficiency Using Precision Technology
By David A. James
T

he digital revolution has brought dramatic advances to nearly every industry in the past twenty years, including industrial construction. Software, machine control devices, GPS units, drones, and other tools have allowed contractors to increase productivity and precision while reducing costs. Companies that embraced these technologies are able to offer bids that reflect this savings. And while this was a competitive advantage two decades ago, now it’s a necessity for any contractor bidding on major projects.

Anchorage-based Accupoint, Inc. has been at the forefront of providing these systems since 1986, a time when most contractors had yet to conceive of the ways high tech could improve efficiencies and outcomes.

“Accupoint is a construction technology resource,” says Nelson Hays, a construction technology engineer with the company. “We offer hardware, software, training, and consulting on everything related to civil construction.”

The Associated General Contractors of Alaska logo
Member News
Fairbanks Office Now Home to UAF 2019 Concrete Canoe
R&M Announces New Hires
TOTE Group Announces Changes to Leadership
The Alaska Contractor logo
Thanks for reading our Winter 2022 issue!