At a Glance

What book is currently on your nightstand? The last book I read was the autobiography of Tommy Franks [American Soldier by General Tommy Franks].

What movie do you recommend to everyone you know? Doctor Strangelove. It’s the best movie… ever. Peter Sellers is phenomenal.

If you could not live in Alaska, where would you live? I would explore the Southeast US States—the coastal area. I like the water. But my home is Alaska. I’m not going anywhere.

If could domesticate a wild animal, what animal would it be? A white Russian sable.

At a Glance

What book is currently on your nightstand? The last book I read was the autobiography of Tommy Franks [American Soldier by General Tommy Franks].

What movie do you recommend to everyone you know? Doctor Strangelove. It’s the best movie… ever. Peter Sellers is phenomenal.

If you could not live in Alaska, where would you live? I would explore the Southeast US States—the coastal area. I like the water. But my home is Alaska. I’m not going anywhere.

If could domesticate a wild animal, what animal would it be? A white Russian sable.

Off the Cuff

Aves Thompson

A

ves Thompson has served as Executive Director at the Alaska Trucking Association (ATA) for the past twelve years. Prior to joining ATA, Thompson served as chief and director of the State of Alaska Division of Measurement Standards. This year he was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the National Conference on Weights and Measures.

Alaska Business: What is your favorite pastime?
Aves Thompson: I like to travel. I like to fish, though I don’t as much as I should. I’m on the executive committee of my Veteran’s group and I’m still doing volunteer work there. The 2nd Infantry Division has a memorial on Constitution Avenue in Washington DC that was erected in 1936 as a memorial to the deceased from the 2nd Infantry Division in WWI. It was modified in 1962 to recognize WWII deceased veterans and Korean War deceased veterans. As we came upon the 100th anniversary of the 2nd Division it seemed important to recognize the fallen veterans from DMZ Korea (post 1953), Iraq, and Afghanistan. So I was able to work with our congressional delegation, Don Young, Lisa Murkowski, and Dan Sullivan. After about three years we finally got authorization to modify the memorial to include these veterans. You know how some people say, “Oh that would take an act of Congress to get done.” Well, this took an act of congress. I was told it would never get done, but it’s in the works. And it doesn’t cost the government anything; we’ll raise the money. All we needed is the permission do it. It’s very exciting. And it’s pretty much what I’ve been doing in my spare time.

AB: Is there a skill or talent you’ve always wanted to learn?
Thompson: I’m thinking about buying a piano. I took piano lessons as a kid and I always regretted not following up on those.

AB: What’s your go-to comfort food?
Thompson: Peanut butter and toast. Skippy Chunky.

AB: What is the most daring thing you have ever done?
Thompson: When I was sixteen I went to work for a concessionary at the carnival. I made $40 a week and slept in a truck. We traveled all over Minnesota and the last summer we went to Oklahoma and I hitchhiked all the way home.

AB: Other than your current career, if you were a kid today, what would your dream job be?
Thompson: A four-star general.

AB: Dead or alive, who would you like to see perform in concert today?
Thompson: Elvis Presley. I have serious regrets about not going to see Elvis Presley live in Las Vegas.

AB: What is your greatest extravagance?
Thompson: Foie gras, Napoléon brandy, and travel.

AB: What are your best and worst attributes?
Thompson: My worst attributes are probably tidying up after myself, not necessarily at home, but at work. I can do it, but I just don’t really like to. I need someone to keep me on the straight and narrow. My best attribute is that I am a good leader. I’m a good team guy and like to work with others, but I like to make things happen.