Your 2023-2024 Executive Board and Board of Directors

Teachers in the Field by Kevin Klott

Safety Firsts by Rindi White

Well Done by Rindi White

AGC of Alaska Celebrates Diamond Jubilee by Rachael Kvapil

Donning a New Hat by Rindi White

2023 AGC Volunteer of the Year by Amy Newman

2023 AGC Associate of the Year by Amy Newman

R/C Land Improvement by Terri Marshall

TDL Staffing by Dimitra Lavrakas

Alaska Garden and Pet by Tracy Barbour

Building for Safety by Vanessa Orr

Welcome, New AGC Members

President’s Message by Marcus Trivette

Executive Director’s Message by Alicia Amberg

Event Calendar

2023 AGC of Alaska Annual Conference

Excellence in Construction Project Photos

HR Update by Darci Ahlin-Stieren

Financial Services & Contractors by Tom Stark and Dan McKirgan

Business Development by Pearl-Grace Pantaleone and Saigen Harris

Contractors & the Law by Michael Geraghty and Wiley Cason

Occupational Health by Andy Wyman

In Memoriam: Timothy Brady

Member News

Advertisers Index

Jenith Ziegler
ChemTrack Alaska, Inc.

Pearl-Grace Pantaleone
HDR Alaska Inc.

Alicia Amberg
Associated General Contractors of Alaska

Christine A. White
R&M Consultants, Inc.

Heather Sottosanti
Big State Mechanical, LLC

Marcus Trivette
Brice, Inc.

Johnathon Storter
Meridian Management, Inc.

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

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 2023 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.

hat an honor for me to serve this year as board president for Associated General Contractors, or AGC, of Alaska! This is an exciting time to be in this state and in the construction industry.

AGC has a long, impressive history in Alaska. Beginning with this chapter’s founding 75 years ago, we have grown with the state. It is not an overstatement to say AGC has helped build Alaska.

Outgoing board president Brian Midyett deserves our thanks for all the hard work he put in over the last year. He leaves behind big shoes for me to fill. Fortunately, he also leaves behind an experienced, dedicated, and visionary leadership team. So, on the threshold of a new year, I know we are ready for all that lies ahead.

Closing out 2023 with much to be grateful for, looking ahead eagerly

he year 2023 marked a significant milestone—our 75th anniversary as an association in Alaska. Our annual convention in November was a testament to the strength and camaraderie of our community, achieving record attendance and sponsorships. The success of our Dinner Dance, always a highlight of the event, was made possible by the exceptional efforts of our conference committee, our dedicated staff, and our incredible volunteers.

It has been such a privilege to serve as executive director of Associated General Contractors, or AGC, of Alaska these past five years. Reflecting on the journey evokes a profound sense of pride and gratitude. My tenure began amid the tumultuous events of 2018, with an earthquake that literally shook us to our core and tested our resilience. I witnessed firsthand the determination of our members, whose swift action in the face of adversity highlighted the values our members bring to the workplace every day.

either snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night,” might be the unofficial credo of the American postal worker, but it also illustrates the determination of those in the Alaska construction industry. True to form, the record-breaking dump of snow in Anchorage November 8 did not keep Associated General Contractors, or AGC, of Alaska members from attending the November 8 through 11 conference at Hotel Captain Cook.

The conference marked seventy-five years of AGC of Alaska, and—amid presentations from the US Department of Defense, the Alaska Department of Transportation, and Governor Mike Dunleavy’s Infrastructure office—a host of presenters delivered useful business tips such as unexpected places to look for opportunities and solving problems, how to remove risk from retirement decisions, and tips for how to build a mentally fit workforce in Alaska.

hen it comes to building heavy civil structures, Swalling General Contractors is one of the newest and one of the oldest companies serving those needs in Alaska.

“My grandfather started the original entity in January of 1947,” says Paul Swalling, one of three partners in an enterprise with roots stretching back more than seventy-five years. “We wanted to maintain the legacy and recognition that my grandfather started.”

This iteration of Swalling General Contractors began in 2016 when Swalling joined Brian Van Abel and Steve Rowe in buying Swalling Construction Company, which had been in Swalling’s family since its founding. The company had developed a solid reputation for building and bridge construction while overseen first by Swalling’s grandfather, A.C. Swalling, and then under Mike Swalling, Swalling’s uncle.

he Associated General Contractors, or AGC, of Alaska is a member-driven, member-supported organization. In other words, without input from members, it’s not effective. That input comes in many forms, but much of it happens around committee tables, where AGC leaders work together to tackle issues of import to members. AGC board members bring their own experience, as well as input gleaned from other industry leaders, to the table when discussing issues such as workers’ compensation or workforce development tools. AGC of Alaska would like to welcome the 2023/2024 executive board and all the members of its board of directors as we embark on a new year of service.

Marcus Trivette was born and raised in Southeast and moved to Fairbanks to pursue a civil engineering degree from UAF. During summer breaks he worked for the Brice family, starting in 2004 on remote projects throughout Alaska. After graduation, Trivette continued his employment with Brice, Inc., holding positions as a project engineer, superintendent, and project manager. In 2014, he became the manager of Brice’s construction division.

uality training and workforce plays such a vital role toward fueling Alaska’s economic health that AGC of Alaska is working to bridge the gap between educators and the construction community. Known as the Educator Externship, the program’s primary objective is to expose Alaskan educators to the many career opportunities available within the construction industry.

WeBuildAlaska’s inaugural educator externship took place in October. QAP served as the first hosting contractor with two Anchorage School District, or ASD, Career Technical Education, or CTE, educators and one CTE administrator in attendance.

“Starting at 7 a.m., we began by participating in the morning safety meeting and then spent the rest of the day shadowing the host contractor and exploring the varying components, roles, and workforce needs on the jobsite,” says Ruby Oatman, development director for AGC’s training and workforce.

orkplace injuries have direct and indirect costs. Worker time off, costs for surgery, medication and treatment, case management time, ancillary aids, and the like are direct costs; indirect costs include lost productivity, additional overtime pay for other workers to fill in, potential penalties if safety violations are found, or time to interview, onboard, and train a new employee.

The National Safety Council, or NSC, states that these cost estimates can be compared to other measures, such as gross domestic product and per capita income. According to 2021 NSC data (the most current year published), the council estimates the true cost to the United States, employers, and individuals of work-related deaths and injuries represented $167 billion.

ounded in 1993 by husband-and-wife team Marc Roderick and Shanna Squires-Roderick, R/C Land Improvement began as a logging company and heavy equipment transporter, moving equipment all over the state. The company also handled small projects like driveways and house pads.

“By 2006, we had switched over to mainly gravel work, running a few gravel pits and salvaging dead spruce trees to sell for firewood,” says Squires-Roderick. “Around that time, we were hired by Herndon Construction to grub along the Seward Highway just north of Seward where they were widening the road.”

laska contractors are accustomed to dealing with unexpected challenges, but no challenge is the same and they all require innovation and resourcefulness. The projects selected for the 2023 Parker, Smith & Feek Excellence in Construction awards were completed by contractors and subcontractors that didn’t let unexpected challenges stand in the way of getting the job done on time and on budget.

laska’s 663,300 square miles are a large part of its appeal—and part of the challenge of living here. For many, Alaska’s vast landscapes make it difficult to access healthcare, particularly in the state’s rural areas. But a pair of medical centers are working to minimize those challenges by expanding both their facilities and the services they offer to improve patient access to medical care closer to home.

Photo provided by Photo Emporium Alaska

onstruction is in Sam Robert Brice’s blood. His grandparents started Brice, Inc. in 1961. Through hard work and a lot of determination, the company has succeeded where many others have faltered, becoming one of Alaska’s premier remote civil construction firms, specializing in airport and road construction projects in rural Alaska. Under Brice’s watch, the company has expanded into several subsidiary companies, which Brice leads as president and CEO of Calista Brice Holding Company, a wholly owned subsidiary of Calista Native Corporation, which acquired Brice, Inc. in 2010.

On November 11, Sam Brice was welcomed into a distinguished group within the Associated General Contractors, or AGC, of Alaska: The Hard Hats. The Hard Hat Award, AGC’s most prestigious honor for its members, recognizes longtime AGC members (and a few nonmembers) for their service to the industry, as well as their integrity and generosity.

olunteers are critical to the mission of AGC chapters, for helping us with understanding member needs and helping to best serve them,” Associated General Contractor, or AGC, of Alaska Executive Director Alicia Amberg said at the AGC’s annual Dinner Dance gala in November, before announcing the recipient of the Stan Smith Volunteer of the Year award. “They are important as support for our staff as we prepare projects, plan events, and grow membership.”

Volunteer of the Year award winner Chris Duty, a project manager with Hamilton Construction Company’s Alaska Division, has embraced that “mission critical” attitude since first becoming an AGC member in 2010. As a student at Oregon State University, Duty joined the school’s AGC student chapter as a freshman representative and worked his way through the officer ranks, ending his senior year on a high note as president.

ary Swoffer and Bo Kilbourn combined their sales experience and knowledge of the industrial supply industry in 1986 and opened Denali Fastener Supply, a 1,500-square-foot shop in Fairbanks. It rebranded as Denali Industrial Supply in 1989 and over the past thirty-seven years has grown into a multi-million-dollar company with locations in Fairbanks and Anchorage, more than 40,000 square feet of warehouse space, and a statewide delivery system that allows it to serve the North Slope and Alaska Bush regions.

Through the years, Denali Industrial Supply has been a stalwart supporter of the Associated General Contractors, or AGC, of Alaska, stepping up time and again to contribute time and resources to AGC events and participating in the organization’s advocacy efforts.

rtificial Intelligence, or AI, and human resources, or HR, are two fields that are increasingly intersecting with each other. No one can dispute that technological advances have dramatically changed our lives.

From travel to healthcare, finding a good cobbler recipe or asking Siri or Google to search, shop, or play, we are in what passes for a “golden age of enlightenment.” That is, of course, until the next stage begins, and we look back and smile at how naive we were. And we have a pretty good idea of the next phase, as now—with AI—we can not only have technology find something for us, it can also make things.

First, let me state that I am NOT an expert on AI. In the HR field, AI remains a new tool that, like any tool, can be a great help or a pending disaster. The H in HR stands for humans. The A in AI stands for artificial.

DL staffing is ready to meet the challenges of operating in Alaska, providing employees for jobs that range from clerical to medical to mining and more. The company has two branches, ten employees, and provides more than 400 workers to companies statewide every year.

Founded by sisters Terri Froese, Debbi Miller, and Lorri McElroy in 2002, the company’s three-letter name reflects all three.

“We started TDL with no clients or employees in Fairbanks and now have thriving offices in both Fairbanks and Anchorage, allowing us to service the entire state of Alaska,” Miller says.

ith Alaska-based oil and gas companies collectively planning to spend $14 billion on new resource development through 2028, and with $5.2 billion in federal infrastructure projects awarded to Alaska, companies are conflicted with balancing costs while simultaneously wanting to prioritize innovation. In the face of this dilemma, Alaska businesses should carefully consider leasing their equipment as a secure option to sustain and increase growth and profitability, versus purchasing or financing.

First, let’s identify the key differences between a loan and a lease. One significant factor to weigh between the two options is ownership. With a loan, the customer owns the equipment subject to a security interest in favor of the lender until the loan is paid. On the other hand, with a lease the lessor owns the equipment and the customer may have flexible options at the end of the term like purchasing the equipment, continuing to lease it, or returning it to the lessor.

n fall 2022, the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities, or DOT&PF, began working on the first of two projects to reconstruct Knik-Goose Bay, or KGB, Road between Centaur Avenue and Settlers Bay Drive.

The $54.5 million project, scheduled for completion in 2028, is already making good progress, with the first phase, Fairview Loop to Centaur Avenue, opening to all four lanes of traffic in October.

“Phase 1 of the project was to take the existing two-lane road and provide a four-lane divided road,” explains Kyle Coffman, project manager with Granite Construction. DOT&PF had not originally planned to open all four lanes by the end of the 2023 season, but it happened faster than expected. “On Saturday, October 28, 2023, we were able to open all four lanes up to the public,” he continues. “The project team, including DOT, Granite, and our subs came together and accomplished a monumental milestone.”

agic is born when collaboration happens. Dialogue improves. Ideas further develop. Solutions are created. Most importantly—trust and respect are strengthened.

The foundation of business development is relationships, and positive client testimonials and referrals build firm awareness. Awareness, combined with a little bit of professional advice, allows businesses to thrive.

Associated General Contractors, or AGC, of Alaska has a great reputation for positive relationships, but additional ideas on how to elevate business are emerging, and other professional organizations can help.

For the second year in a row, AGC of Alaska has partnered with the Society of Marketing Professional Services, or SMPS, Alaska to offer free one-on-one business development, or BD, Check-Ins for AGC Annual Conference attendees. Participants can seek guidance and get reviews of their BD and marketing-related efforts.

laska Garden and Pet Supply, Inc. prides itself on offering everything for pets and plants. Located in Anchorage, the wholesale distributor manufactures a variety of quality products from animal feed and fertilizers to ice melt and bird seed. It also distributes pet food and supplies, garden, erosion control, and agri-business supplies.

Being an Associated General Contractors member aligns with the company’s values. “We appreciate AGC’s focus on safety, education, and setting quality standards,” says Senior Vice President Kimberly McCourtney. “AGC also provides us great opportunities to build connections with industry partners throughout the state of Alaska.”

n 2021, the US Supreme Court ruled that a California regulation, which granted union organizers the right to enter onto employers’ land to solicit support for unionization, constituted an improper taking under the Fifth Amendment because it interfered with the employer’s right to exclude others from their property.

The Supreme Court’s decision explained that “the right to exclude falls within the category of interests that the government cannot take without compensation” according to Cedar Point Nursery v. Hassid, 141 S. Ct. 2063, 2073 (2021). The decision also observed that, while mandated access for union organizers might be a taking, “government health and safety inspection regimes will generally not constitute takings,” because the government is entitled to make permits and licenses contingent on “allowing access for reasonable health and safety inspections.”

he Bureau of Labor Statistics, or BLS, reported that from 2011 to 2018 there were 1,030 confined space fatalities in the United States, equating to 129 fatalities per year. BLS breaks out the numbers by job class, not industry, but most deaths are clearly construction related when occupations related to agriculture are removed.

Organizational safety culture and where an organization performs work are major components of the safety equation. Both the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, or OSHA, General Industry standard and the Construction standard have the same definition of a confined space:

• Large enough to bodily enter
• Not intended for continuous human occupancy
• Limited means of entry and exit

Brady was born in Anchorage, in 1958. He embraced the Alaska lifestyle from a young age and traveled its wildlands in pursuit of fish and game, including in his floatplane, often with friends and family along.

As president of Ken Brady Construction Company, which his father started, Tim Brady and his brother, Mike Brady, left their footprint throughout the state. His construction industry colleagues recognized his accomplishments when they honored him in 1992 with the prestigious AGC Hard Hat Award for his significant contributions to the Alaska construction industry. He was elected president of AGC of Alaska in 1995 and later that year was recognized nationally as chapter president of the year. He continued his commitment to the organization as a Life Board Member.