A Publication of the
Associated General
Contractors of Alaska
The Alaska Contractor logo
A Publication of the
Associated General
Contractors of Alaska
The Alaska Contractor logo
Winter 2023
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
Clare Kreilkamp
Associated General Contractors of Alaska

Jenith Ziegler
ChemTrack Alaska Inc.

Pearl-Grace Pantaleone
Cornerstone General Contractors

Alicia Amberg
Associated General Contractors of Alaska

Christine A. White
R&M Consultants, Inc.

Heather Sottosanti
Big State Mechanical, LLC

Brian Midyett
STG Pacific, LLC

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
Senior 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
Photo by Billy Walker
Design by James K Brown
The Alaska Contractor logo
Table of COntents
Features
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

Meeting Your New Legislators

Built to Last by Rindi White

Excellence in Construction Photos

Celebrating Safety by Rindi White

Individual and Associate Awards by Rindi White

PROFILES
Denali General Contractors by Rachael Kvapil

Green Earth Landworks by Dimitra Lavrakas

Exclusive Paving by David A. James

Independent Lift Truck of Alaska by Jamey Bradbury

EMC Engineering by Jamey Bradbury

Project updates
Remote Connections by Kevin Klott

Road to Recovery by Rachael Kvapil

The Alaska Contractor logo
Table of COntents
Features
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

Meeting Your New Legislators

Built to Last by Rindi White

Excellence in Construction Photos

Celebrating Safety by Rindi White

Individual and Associate Awards by Rindi White

PROFILES
Denali General Contractors by Rachael Kvapil

Green Earth Landworks by Dimitra Lavrakas

Exclusive Paving by David A. James

Independent Lift Truck of Alaska by Jamey Bradbury

EMC Engineering by Jamey Bradbury

Project updates
Remote Connections by Kevin Klott

Road to Recovery by Rachael Kvapil

TECHNOLOGY
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
Clare Kreilkamp
Associated General Contractors of Alaska

Jenith Ziegler
ChemTrack Alaska Inc.

Pearl-Grace Pantaleone
Cornerstone General Contractors

Alicia Amberg
Associated General Contractors of Alaska

Christine A. White
R&M Consultants, Inc.

Heather Sottosanti
Big State Mechanical, LLC

Brian Midyett
STG Pacific, LLC

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
Senior 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
Photo by Billy Walker
Design by James K Brown
winning bids // Construction trends // winning bids // Construction trends
Winning Bids title
map of the different regions of Alaska
49 bids // $323.1 Million
Region graph
Type graph
Affiliation graph
Note: Winning Bids

  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
Welcome, New AGC Members
From August 11, 2022 through November 16, 2022
GENERAL
Pro Built LLC
Luke Homola, Owner
PO Box 2374
Palmer, AK 99645
Phone: 907-982-6127
luke@probuiltak.com
Rough carpentry, siding contractor.
SPECIALTY
Edge Survey and Design, LLC
Ryan Sorensen, President
Mark Aimonetti, Partner
8000 King St.
Anchorage, AK 99518
Phone: 907-344-5990
ryan@edgesurvey.net mark@edgesurvey.net
www.edgesurvey.net
Land and construction surveying.
*Disadvantaged Business Enterprise firm*
ASSOCIATE
AK Fat Truck
Tyler Bogert, CEO
Mark Johnson
1415 P St.
Anchorage, AK 99501
Phone: 907-315-9886
akfattruck@gmail.com markjjohnson574@gmail.com
Overland logistics.
*Referred by Laura Reishus, Ahtna Environmental, Inc*
Brian Midyett portrait
BRIAN MIDYETT
President
The Associated General Contractors of Alaska logo
PRESIDENT’S
MESSAGE
The Value of AGC Membership
By Brian Midyett, STG Pacific, 2023 AGC of Alaska Board President
I

am honored to introduce myself as the incoming Associated General Contractors, or AGC, of Alaska president. First, I would like to thank Past President Sarah Lefebvre for her friendship, tireless volunteerism, and commitment to AGC Alaska. Sarah has been a bold, effective leader, and we cannot say enough good things about her time serving this role. Thank you, Sarah. Also a big thanks to Alicia and all the AGC staff for all they do.

Our incoming executive board is made up of these dedicated volunteers:

  • Marcus Trivette: Vice President, Brice Inc.
  • Saigen Harris: Secretary, F&W Construction
  • Carrie Jokiel: Treasurer, ChemTrack Alaska
  • Dave Johnson: Associate Member, AS&G
  • Luke Blomfield: Contractor at Large, Davis Constructors and Engineers
Alicia Amberg Headshot
Alicia Amberg
Executive Director
The Associated General Contractors of Alaska logo
EXECUTIVE
DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE

2022 Conference a Great Success

By Alicia Amberg
W

hat a difference a year makes! 2022 saw us back in person for our traditional conference and dinner dance celebration. The energy for both events was off the charts as members from across the state gathered for the week. We appreciate our members’ support of this important annual program that provides news and information for hundreds of Alaskans working in the building industry (not to mention a heaping portion of fun).

I am proud to report that, following the conference, it is clear our membership is fired up. The desire to get involved with our chapter spiked in the days since. My phone has chimed with texts and rung nonstop with offers from members eager to increase their involvement with Associated General Contractors, or AGC, of Alaska. We welcome this trend and will gladly take everyone up on these generous offers. If you or your employees are looking for opportunities to get engaged with chapter activities, drop me a line. Whether you want to advocate for the industry with elected officials, help young people enter the field, or recruit new members, we can find a role for you.

30's classic cars in a museum
Calendar of Events 2023 title
Jan. 7
Contractors & Camo Hockey Tournament
10 a.m. to 1 p.m. | O’Malley Sports Complex, Anchorage
feb. 2
CIPF Construction Spending Forecast Breakfast
Lakefront Hotel, Anchorage
feb. 3
CIPF Construction Spending Forecast Breakfast
AGC Office, Fairbanks
feb. 4
Bowl-A-Thon
Nugget Lanes, Fort Wainwright
mar. 7-8
Legislative Fly-In
Juneau
mar. 13-16
AGC of America 2023 Annual Convention
Las Vegas, NV
mar. 14-18
ConExpo-Con/AG 2023
Las Vegas, Nevada
apr. 13-14
Spring Agency Day
AGC Office, Fairbanks
apr. 13
Spring Agency Day Reception
Fountainhead Auto Museum, Fairbanks
apr. 14
Spring Full Board Meeting
AGC Office, Fairbanks
nov. 8-11
AGC Annual Conference
Hotel Captain Cook, Anchorage
Calendar subject to change, please visit agcak.org for the most up-to-date information. Featured photo: 2022 Spring Agency Day Reception in Fairbanks, courtesy of AGC of Alaska
The Associated General Contractors of Alaska logo

2023 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

2023 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
O

ur priorities as a trade organization have not changed a lot in the past few years. A sustainable state capital budget that moves the economy forward and creates economic certainty and jobs for Alaskans is at the forefront for the Associated General Contractors of Alaska, as well as for several other trade organizations. We will continue to advocate for that and encourage state leaders to adhere to a strategy to work together on the budget instead of allowing it to become a divisive political tool.

We will continue to remind all public officials and residents of Alaska how vital the construction industry is to the statewide economy. More than 40,000 jobs across Alaska are in or related directly to the construction industry, with a total statewide labor income impact of $3.4 billion. It is imperative that we focus on funding a healthy state budget to keep that economic engine running.

Meeting Your New Legislators
I

n his presentation before Associated General Contractors, or AGC, of Alaska members at the 2022 AGC of Alaska Conference November 11, AGC of America president Dan Fordice III told the audience that “advocacy efforts are the most important benefit of AGC.” He encouraged members to have their US Congressmembers on speed dial. Having an open dialogue with state legislators is also important, allowing members to weigh in on matters that directly affect state laws and budgetary issues.

To that end, we are including a list of national and state representatives, including those who have been reelected in the November General Election.

Alaska Governor/ Lieutenant Governor
Mike Dunleavy/ Nancy Dahlstrom

US Senator
Lisa Murkowski

US Senator
Dan Sullivan (not up for reelection in 2022)

US Representative
Mary Peltola

Senate District A (Ketchikan/ Wrangell/ Metlakatla/ Sitka/ Petersburg/ Yakutat)
Bert Stedman

Senate District B (Mendenhall Valley/ Haines/ Skagway/ Gustavus/ DowntownJuneau/ Douglas/ Juneau Airport)
Jesse Kiehl

Senate District C (Kodiak/ Seward/ Cordova/ Kachemak Bay/ Ninilchik/ Kasilof)
Gary Stevens

Senate District D (Kenai/ Soldotna/ Northern Kenai Peninsula)
Jesse Bjorkman

Senate District E (South Anchorage/ Turnagain Arm/ Whittier/ Oceanview/ Klatt)
Cathy Giessel

Senate District F (Lower Hillside/ Far North Bicentennial Park)
James Kaufman

Senate District G (Campbell/ Spenard)
Elvi Gray-Jackson

Senate District H (Sand Lake/ Campbell Lake/ Anchorage Airport)
Matt Claman

Senate District I (Downtown Anchorage/ Government Hill/ JBER/ Northeast Anchorage)
Löki Tobin

Senate District J (Mountain View/ Airport Heights/ U-Med)
Forrest Dunbar

Senate District K (South Muldoon/ North Muldoon)
Bill Wielechowski

Senate District L (Eagle River Valley/ North Eagle River/ Chugiak)
Kelly Merrick

Senate District M (Palmer/ Butte/ Goose Bay/ Gateway)
Shelley Hughes

Senate District N (Wasilla/ Meadow Lakes/ Tanaina/ Lakes)
David Wilson

Senate District O (Eastern Mat-Su/ Valdez/ Houston/ Big Lake/ Parks Highway)
Michael Shower

Senate District P (Downtown Fairbanks/ East Fairbanks/ Fort Wainwright)
Scott Kawasaki

Senate District Q (North Pole/ Badger/ Steele Creek/ Two Rivers/ Eielson/ Salcha)
Robert Myers Jr.

Senate District R (College/ Ester/ Chena Ridge/ Copper River Basin/ Delta/ Tok/ Yukon Drainage)
Click Bishop

Senate District S (Bristol Bay/ Aleutians/ Kuspuk/ Lower Kuskokwim)
Lyman Hoffman

Senate District T (Bering Straits/
Yukon Delta/ Arctic)

Donny Olson (not up for reelection in 2022)

House District 1 (Ketchikan/ Wrangell/ Metlakatla)
Dan Ortiz

House District 2 (Sitka/ Petersburg/ Yakutat)
Rebecca Himschoot

House District 3 (Mendenhall Valley/ Haines/ Skagway/ Gustavus)
Andi Story

House District 4 (Downtown Juneau/ Douglas/ Juneau Airport)
Sara Hannan

House District 5 (Kodiak/ Seward/ Cordova)
Louise Stutes

AGC Alaska Annual 2022 Conference at Hotel Captain Cook
T

hey say you can never go home again, but the 2022 Associated General Contractors of Alaska Annual Conference at Hotel Captain Cook November 9 through 12 felt a little like coming home. During the two-year COVID-19 hiatus, the conference was virtual in 2020 and in 2021 was an in-person/virtual hybrid that was still missing the crowning event, the Dinner Dance Gala. So this year a “normal” conference was something worth celebrating. And there was much to celebrate, from luncheons honoring companies who received awards for excellence in construction and for excellence in safety to welcoming new AGC Board members and a new AGC Executive Board President. Attendees heard updates about the Port of Alaska project; learned tips for keeping safe in an aviation crash; heard from Alaska Senator Click Bishop about state and federal infrastructure funding; learned how to better collaborate and communicate with stakeholders during a project; and found new ways to understand how the brain works and how to raise team energy and deal with difficult emotions. Whether in seminars, around tables in the Fore Deck, or between presentations in the hallways, the energy among participants was electric. At the Dinner Dance Gala, with a 1920s speakeasy theme, the hotel was awash in furs and beaded flapper dresses, striped suits and silk shirts, feathered headbands and flat caps—and the place positively sizzled. We can’t wait to do it again next year!

The Associated General Contractors of Alaska logo
Member Profile
Denali General Contractors
The Associated General Contractors of Alaska logo
Member Profile
Denali General Contractors
Fuel Cell/Corrosion Control Hanger Complex on Elmendorf Air Force Base in winter
Denali General Contractors’ project portfolio includes several publicly funded projects including the Fuel Cell/Corrosion Control Hanger Complex on Elmendorf Air Force Base. This 54,570-square-foot complex provides protective space for large aircraft repairs and fuel system maintenance. Denali worked around stringent work restrictions such as complete shutdown of construction during air shows, and during the weekend when noise activity hours were limited.
Celebrating A Milestone
Forty years brings experience and wisdom to the construction industry
By Rachael Kvapil
C

hris Hamre, president and senior project manager of Denali General Contractors, always wanted a career in Alaska. In 1983, he expanded his existing construction career by opening his own contracting business in Anchorage. From there, he developed niche markets in communities like Nome and Bethel and occasionally completed projects in the Lower 48. As Denali General approaches its fortieth anniversary, Hamre and his team are just as dedicated to providing quality construction statewide.

“When you’re a young company just starting out, you do what you can with the talent you have,” says Hamre. “As you gain experience, you also gain financial resources in addition to talent and can take on more ambitious projects.”

The Associated General Contractors of Alaska logo
Project
Update
The Associated General Contractors of Alaska logo
Project
Update
Remote Connections
Shemya Island air base gets radar, pier upgrades
By Kevin Klott
G

ood planning and preparation are the keys to success in any construction project, but getting ready for remote work on Shemya Island takes project management to the next level.

“Shemya is a harsh marine environment at the edge of the Aleutian Islands,” says Jacob Pomeranz of Electric Power Systems. “It’s out there.”

Shemya Island is a logistically challenging location, located about 500 miles from mainland Russia and about 1,500 miles southwest of Anchorage, at the western edge of the Aleutian Chain. It’s so far to the west that it observes the Hawaii-Aleutian time zone, which is an hour behind mainland Alaska.

Getting to the island requires military clearance and a chartered flight, as it is home to Eareckson Air Station—formerly known as Shemya Air Force Base—and the Cobra Dane Phased Array Radar Facility, which is currently operated by the US Space Force and has been used to monitor space and missile activities. The radar has been in operation since 1977.

For the past decade, Electric Power Systems, or EPS, has been working on Shemya Island. Most recently, EPS and two of its sister companies—Electric Power Constructors and Mechanical Builders, Inc.—subcontracted under Brice Environmental to complete a two-year project that upgraded Cobra Dane’s existing electrical and mechanical infrastructure with state-of-the-art technology.

Photo by Karina Quintans
Remote Connections
Shemya Island air base gets radar, pier upgrades
By Kevin Klott
G

ood planning and preparation are the keys to success in any construction project, but getting ready for remote work on Shemya Island takes project management to the next level.

“Shemya is a harsh marine environment at the edge of the Aleutian Islands,” says Jacob Pomeranz of Electric Power Systems. “It’s out there.”

Shemya Island is a logistically challenging location, located about 500 miles from mainland Russia and about 1,500 miles southwest of Anchorage, at the western edge of the Aleutian Chain. It’s so far to the west that it observes the Hawaii-Aleutian time zone, which is an hour behind mainland Alaska.

Getting to the island requires military clearance and a chartered flight, as it is home to Eareckson Air Station—formerly known as Shemya Air Force Base—and the Cobra Dane Phased Array Radar Facility, which is currently operated by the US Space Force and has been used to monitor space and missile activities. The radar has been in operation since 1977.

For the past decade, Electric Power Systems, or EPS, has been working on Shemya Island. Most recently, EPS and two of its sister companies—Electric Power Constructors and Mechanical Builders, Inc.—subcontracted under Brice Environmental to complete a two-year project that upgraded Cobra Dane’s existing electrical and mechanical infrastructure with state-of-the-art technology.

The Associated General Contractors of Alaska logo
Member Profile
Green Earth Landworks
The Associated General Contractors of Alaska logo
Member Profile
Green Earth Landworks
New planter bed with ferns and other plants
Covering the State
A company takes on challenges—and then changes
By Dimitra Lavrakas
Y

ou had an idea for a business, found a niche, and found success—but then different possibilities spring up before you. What do you do?

You pivot.

That’s exactly what Anchorage’s Green Earth Landworks has done.

Growing Up
“Green Earth was started by my husband Jeremiah and I when we were in college as a summer job to pay our way through school in 2001,” says Christina Eneix, president of the company.

Initially, Green Earth Landworks offered landscaping, then revegetation and environmental services as well as storm pollution prevention products.

The Associated General Contractors of Alaska logo
Your 2022-2023 Executive Board and Board of Directors
E

ach year the Associated General Contractors, or AGC, of Alaska faces new—and sometimes quite unexpected—challenges. But each year AGC leaders work together to find the best way to approach the challenges and advocate for the best solution for members. They help inform members of new policies, gather input from people whom the policies directly affect, and advocate on behalf of members at every opportunity. AGC of Alaska would like to welcome the 2022/2023 executive board and all the members of its board of directors as we embark on a new year of service.

Brian Midyett headshot
Brian Midyett
STG Pacific, LLC
President
Brian Midyett began his career in construction early, working summers with a local contractor in his hometown of Reedsport, Oregon, in the ’80s. After a few years of college, he started an apprenticeship with the Carpenters Union and won the Oregon Apprenticeship Contest upon journeying out in 1992. Midyett represented Oregon later that year at the International Apprenticeship Competition. Armed with confidence, a set of tools, and a Journeyman’s card, Midyett sailed a small boat he refitted from Portland, Oregon, to Hawaii and hired on with Kiewit, working on building and civil projects while climbing through the ranks to operations manager for the building group.
The Associated General Contractors of Alaska logo
"Built to Last"
Members honored for challenging builds
By Rindi White
Excellence in Construction Award
I

nnovation, meeting challenges with unique resilience, and building community good will for projects were some of the strengths that helped the 2022 Excellence in Construction award winners achieve recognition. Awards were presented at the Parker, Smith & Feek Excellence in Construction awards luncheon on November 11 during the the Associated General Contractors of Alaska Annual Convention.

Meeting the Challenge of a Job, Under $5 Million: Vertical Construction
Davis Constructors & Engineers, Inc.
Covenant House of Alaska Expansion
Some projects are much more than just a building. Davis Constructors & Engineers teamed with Covenant House Alaska, SALT LLC, and RIM Architects to design and build an expansion to Covenant House, a facility providing shelter and services to homeless or trafficked teenagers and other at-risk youth needing assistance. The new building includes twenty-two micro-unit apartments with rooms that include a bed, bathroom, desk, and microwave, as well as common areas that consist of a lounge, full kitchen, laundry machines, and staff offices. The apartment-like setting allows Covenant House to expand its program to young adults who have aged out of their program, helping transition young adults from homelessness to stability through what the organization calls its “Bridge to Success” program.
Excellence in Construction banner
Meeting the Challenge of a Job, Under $5 million: Vertical Construction

Contractor:
Davis Constructors & Engineers, Inc.

Project:
Covenant House of Alaska Expansion

Photos provided by Davis Constructors & Engineers, Inc.

Covenant House of Alaska Expansion
outdoor staircase in the back of Covenant House of Alaska Expansion
kitchen at Covenant House of Alaska Expansion
bedroom in Covenant House of Alaska Expansion
Excellence in Construction banner
Meeting the Challenge of a Job, Under $5 million: Vertical Construction

Contractor:
Davis Constructors & Engineers, Inc.

Project:
Covenant House of Alaska Expansion

Photos provided by Davis Constructors & Engineers, Inc.

ANC North Terminal sign
Cornerstone employees wearing neon orange vests and white hard hats
kitchen inside the North Pacific Airways ANC Northern Terminal
Excellence in Construction banner
Meeting the Challenge of a Job, Between $5 and $15 million: Vertical Construction

Contractor:
Cornerstone General Contractors, Inc.

Project:
North Pacific Airways ANC Northern Terminal Renovation

Photos provided by Cornerstone General Contractors, Inc.

bathroom corner with toilet surrounded by brown tile with select tile pieces being reflective
two empty offices freshly renovated
The Associated General Contractors of Alaska logo
Tune Your Energy title
Companies honored for creating safe workspaces
By Rindi White
Leslie Whatley
Excellence in Safety Building Division, Davis Constructors & Engineers Inc.
S

afety is more than talking with your team about appropriate ladder use or eye protection on the job site. It’s a practice, one that is perfected over time and driven by a company-wide commitment to safety from project beginning to end, including reporting unsafe job practices and equipment in need of repair.

Associated General Contractors of Alaska, or AGC, and ConocoPhillips recognized four companies and one individual for outstanding commitments to safety at the ConocoPhillips Excellence in Safety Luncheon on November 10, a part of the 2022 AGC Annual Convention.

The Associated General Contractors of Alaska logo
AGC Honors Kelly Layman, Aaron Bartel, and Insurance Firm Parker, Smith & Feek
By Rindi White
man in white construction hat at microphone
AGC Honors Kelly Layman, Aaron Bartel, and Insurance Firm Parker, Smith & Feek
By Rindi White
Layman Receives 2022 Hard Hat Award
K

elly Layman first got involved with Associated General Contractors, or AGC, of Alaska after moving to Anchorage with his family and not knowing a soul.

“I knew I needed to get connected in the construction industry,” Layman says. “I started working with AGC and trying to get connected there.”

Working in the field of insurance, Layman came to Alaska in 2003 to join Ribelin Lowell & Company Insurance Brokers in the company’s bonding department. Sixteen years ago, he joined Marsh McLennan Agency, where he currently works as director of the surety department.

The Associated General Contractors of Alaska logo with chili pepper
Chili Cookoff Made a Comeback
F

all and the Associated General Contractors of Alaska Chili & Cornbread Cook-off were a natural pairing—at least until COVID-19 hit and turned events on their head. This year the Cook-off made its triumphant return as a well-attended (and delicious smelling) event.

Jake Askren, at KeyBank, was the big winner of the evening, taking home both the Judge’s and People’s Choice wins for his chili. In the cornbread division, judges favored Mikey Nelson’s offering but the People’s Choice went, yet again, to chef du jour Jake Askern.

AGC of Alaska would like to thank the Alaska National Insurance Company for sponsoring the Chili & Cornbread Cook-off competition.

Photos provided by AGC of Alaska
green illustrated peppers
Chili cookoff winners with their awards
red, yellow, and green illustrated chili peppers
The Associated General Contractors of Alaska logo
Member Profile
Exclusive Paving
The Associated General Contractors of Alaska logo
Member Profile
Exclusive Paving
Associated General Contractors of Alaska pose with state Department of Transportation & Public Facilities

Associated General Contractors of Alaska pose with state Department of Transportation & Public Facilities officials as Governor Mike Dunleavy signs into law House Bill 160, establishing the Construction Manager General Contractor, or CMGC, procurement method for use by the Department of Transportation & Public Facilities, a bill that AGC of Alaska president Sarah Lefebvre worked to promote.

Creating a Legacy
Immersion, hard work, and volunteering pave path for next generation
By David A. James
W

hen Sarah Lefebvre began working at Exclusive Landscaping and Paving in 1998, then-corporate president and principal owner Phil Anderson was serving on the Associated General Contractors of Alaska board of directors.

Impressed with how quickly his newly-hired bookkeeper learned about the varied aspects of the company, and the zeal with which she took on new tasks, Anderson encouraged her to think about joining the board.

“That planted the seed,” Lefebvre says nearly twenty-five years later, “and he mentored me all those years.”

The Associated General Contractors of Alaska logo
Project
Update

Road to Recovery

AGC members assist with recovery after Typhoon Merbok

By Rachael Kvapil
Protective water berms were destroyed in many coastal communities and required immediate repairs to prevent further land erosion and additional flood defense. Knik Construction worked with the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities to rebuild the berm and reinforce the shoreline.

Photo provided by Knik Construction

Protective water berms were destroyed in many coastal communities and required immediate repairs to prevent further land erosion and additional flood defense. Knik Construction worked with the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities to rebuild the berm and reinforce the shoreline.

Photo provided by Knik Construction

Road to Recovery

AGC members assist with recovery after Typhoon Merbok

By Rachael Kvapil

I

n September, Western Alaska experienced a storm like no other. Typhoon Merbok, which originated east of Japan and gained strength due to unusually warm Pacific Ocean water, tore through the region, leaving devastation in its wake.

Destruction of protective berms resulted in eroded shorelines and roads; hurricane-force winds pushed houses off their foundation, tossed around boats and vehicles, and blew excessive debris across communities.

Once the storm passed, the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities, or DOT&PF, statewide contractors, and local suppliers immediately launched efforts to expedite repairs.

New Tool for Members
Free consultation and feedback offered at Business Development Check-Ups
By Rindi White
an attendee speaks to a Beacon representative at the Associated General Contractors of Alaska annual conference

Tips about maintaining a relevant social media presence, how best to market your business at trade shows, and countless other assistance was available from Society of Marketing Professional Services members at the November Associated General Contractors of Alaska annual conference at the Hotel Captain Cook.

New Tool for Members
Free consultation and feedback offered at Business Development Check-Ups
By Rindi White
H

ow much would you pay to have an expert eye take a look at a contract proposal or provide insight about how to create a social media presence that makes sense for your business?

What if it were free?

It was, for the first time this year, at the 2022 Associated General Contractors of Alaska, or AGC, Annual Convention. At registration, companies were offered the chance to take part in the Business Development Check-Ups, held Thursday and Friday afternoons. The sessions were one-on-one meetings with members of the Society for Marketing Professional Services, or SMPS, and covered one of four topics: proposals; websites; marketing material/digital content; and social media.

Max Frey Headshot
Max Frey
Sr. Marketing Professional
RESPEC
The Associated General Contractors of Alaska logo
business development
Navigating an Acquisition and Planning a Rebranding Effort
By Max Frey, CPSM
I

magine this: you are going about your daily professional life as an A/E/C, or Architecture/Engineering/Construction, marketer, maybe working on a big internal project or perhaps a short-fuse, high-profile proposal. You have your head down, focused on the objective. Out of the blue, you hear your firm is being acquired and your organization will be fully adopting the new company’s brand. This is where I found myself in the spring of 2020, when my Alaska-based company, PDC Engineers, was purchased by a firm out of South Dakota called RESPEC.

Over the past two tumultuous years, our industry saw dramatic slowdowns during the height of the pandemic, with equally dramatic upticks as the lockdowns have eased. This extraordinary resumption of activity led to an increase of 34 percent in A/E/C mergers and acquisitions, according to Morrissey Goodale, meaning many marketers were having the same experience.

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Member Profile
Independent Lift Truck of Alaska
The Associated General Contractors of Alaska logo
Member Profile
Independent Lift Truck of Alaska
two forklifts and two rough terrain machines parked in front of the ILT Alaska dealership

ILT is a dealership for several product lines of forklift and other rough terrain equipment.

Handling Alaska’s Forklift Needs
Independent Lift Truck ensures Alaska’s industries have the material handling equipment they need
By Jamey Bradbury
W

ayne Dick checks the Associated General Contractors of Alaska website every day. “Even if there’s not equipment I have availability to quote, I still look at who wins the bids for specific jobs,” he says, “because they may need additional equipment to complete that job. Whether it’s a forklift or a compactor, I tend to look at the bid wins to see if I can provide equipment to help make the job happen.”

Making the job happen is Independent Lift Truck of Alaska’s, or ILT’s, specialty. As Alaska’s leading forklift dealership for the last forty years, this family business services the entire state’s forklift and material handling needs across several industries—from energy and mining to seafood harvesting or warehousing.

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TECHNOLOGY
Contractors Can Better Meet OFCCP Requirements with New Portal
By Rachael Kvapil
AGC members now have an easier way to fulfill US Department of Labor reporting requirements with an online portal released by the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs, or OFCCP, earlier this year. Existing regulations require construction employers to identify subcontractors that are awarded contracts valued at $10,000 or more. The new Notification of Construction Contract Award Portal, or NCAP, creates an easier way to submit this information in a timely manner.

Federal money plays a crucial role in funding construction projects nationwide, including infrastructure like roads, bridges, military structures, courthouses, and prisons, in addition to other emergency projects reimbursed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, or FEMA. Direct federal contractors, such as those with contracts directly with the US Army Corps of Engineers, General Services Administration, or other federal agencies, and federally assisted prime construction contractors, or contractors with transportation contracts directly with state departments of transportation, are subject to reporting subcontractor awards of $10,000 or more within ten working days of the award. Claiborne Guy, director of employment policy and practices for the Associated General Contractors of America, says reporting this information within this timeframe wasn’t so easy in the past.

Darci Headshot
Darci Ahlin-Stiere
Principal,
HR Solutions, LLC
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Human Resources Update
Giving Feedback
By Darci Ahlin-Stieren
W

e have been through quite a storm these past couple of years. Our work environments have fluctuated with the way we engage and connect with each other. Many have found themselves shifting to a virtual or hybrid work model that has reduced impromptu conversations; instead we find ourselves scheduling zoom calls or trying to connect in person.

Finding our new normal has meant changing how we communicate and revisiting some of our programs. One example is shifting away from traditional annual performance reviews by forming a more continuous feedback approach. This is not to say an annual review does not still occur, it just means a different approach is taken leading up to the review.

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Summer Safety Fair Fun!
Photos provided by AGC of Alaska
Summer Safety Fair Fun!
child in fire truck with firefighter
C

limbing in the cab of a crane, checking out a fire truck, and getting strapped into a safety harness, all while munching on barbecued food and cotton candy—it must be the Associated General Contractors of Alaska Safety Fair! A fun event for children and adults alike, the safety fair at Davis Constructors & Engineers on July 27 was a big success. Thanks to our Safety website sponsors, ConocoPhillips and Swalling General Contractors, and to Davis for hosting the event.

child and mother in helicopter
child eating cotton candy
child with safety hat on with cotton candy in hands
child in harness being picked up by hook
A portrait headshot photograph of Andy Wyman smiling in a navy blue polo shirt
Andy Wyman
Safety Supervisor
Northern Industrial Training
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OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH
Self-Retracting Lifeline Requirements Updated
New standard gives clarity to equipment labels
By Andy Wyman
O

ver the years, I have heard a few people attempting to explain the challenges of fall protection by claiming that fall protection is “easy.” Having worked in fall protection for more than ten years across multiple industries—including logistics, defense contracting, parks and recreation, shipbuilding, oil and gas, and construction—I have learned one simple lesson: fall protection is ever-changing and far from easy.

Since falls make up the majority of construction fatalities, it has been the number one most cited violation from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, or OSHA, for decades. Calling it easy is an arrogant approach. This short article will cover the American National Standards Institute, or ANSI, update for Self-Retracting Lifelines, or SRL, and will explain the future updates to the ANSI standard.

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Member Profile
EMC Engineering
The Associated General Contractors of Alaska logo
Member Profile
EMC Engineering
an in progress EMC Engineering bridge construction project
The People Behind the Projects
Employee-owned EMC Engineering delivers a diverse array of services
By Jamey Bradbury
T

he first time EMC Engineering was hired on a contract, the company operated behind the scenes. When major flooding hit the Kenai Peninsula in 2003, the state mobilized all available contractors to get the road system open again. EMC—then a fledgling company that had been in operation since 2002—was contracted by the Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities, or DOT&PF, to verify time and materials used during the emergency response for contractor payments.

“EMC performed well during this contract, which gained us a strong reputation with DOT&PF,” says Tara Masters, EMC’s executive vice president and office manager.

A portrait headshot photograph of Doug Ladenburger smiling in a dark navy blue suit and multicolored tie
Doug Ladenburger
Sr. VP, Director of Treasury Mgmt. Svcs., Northrim Bank
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FINANCIAL SERVICES & CONTRACTORS
Treasury Management: Accelerate Collections, Control Disbursements
By Doug Ladenburger
W

hile economic conditions have improved, challenges with supply chains, shipping, and labor linger. At the same time, fraud attempts and cyber security attacks show no sign of slowing.

Businesses of all sizes and from all industries should leverage every opportunity to address these ongoing challenges. Treasury management services from your financial services provider can help you run your business more safely and efficiently.

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Member News
Roger Hickel Contracting Awarded CHASE Blue Level

On October 24, 2022, Roger Hickel Contracting attained the Construction Health and Safety Excellence Program (CHASE) Blue Level. The CHASE Program is a partnership between licensed Alaska contractors and the Alaska Occupational Safety and Health section to take a proactive approach in reducing injuries, illnesses, and fatalities within the construction industry in Alaska.

Bettisworth North Leaders Honored

Two leaders with Bettisworth North Architects and Planners have been awarded high honors within their respective practice areas. Leah Boltz, principal, has been named a fellow by the Society for Marketing Professional Services, or SMPS. Dana Nunn, director of interior design, has been inducted into the American Society of Interior Designers, or ASID, College of Fellows. The announcement was made by Tracy Vanairsdale, president of Bettisworth North.

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Thanks for reading our Winter 2023 issue!