It’s our Top 49ers issue! Any readers who breeze past this letter to jump right into the ranks are excused—it’s an exciting list packed full of exceptional companies that do a lot to build Alaska’s economy and community. In fact, this issue would be impossible to compile without their participation. The Top 49ers voluntarily provide the information we publish within these pages; even in those cases where we could research revenue information without their cooperation, we don’t. The Top 49er ranks are a partnership between Alaska’s homegrown businesses and this homegrown publisher, and I’m incredibly grateful year after year for their involvement in this project.

For our 2023 October issue, the Top 49ers have provided more rich content than ever, contributing to every article in the special section. While all the Top 49ers are incredible partners, this year three stand out: Global Credit Union, The Kuskokwim Corporation, and Craig Taylor Equipment. Their top executives—Geoff Lundfelt, Andrea Gusty, and Chris Devine, respectively—were generous enough to participate in the photoshoot for our cover with the scant description of “a tabletop game theme with other top executives.” As awesome as the cover photo is, it is just one among several fantastic photo options because Lundfelt, Gusty, and Devine exemplified what a Top 49er is: they show up, they have an awesome attitude, they collaborate and cooperate, and they get the job done.

The other major contributor to our cover is represented through her work: Alaskan artist Tara Cox, the talent driving Mythic Alaska, was another essential top executive in our cover creation process. Art Director Monica Sterchi-Lowman and I anticipated that she might respond to our request for a handful of Alaska-themed, business-influenced, mythical characters with hesitation. We were wrong; we barely finished describing what we were envisioning when it became clear Cox was all in, and her enthusiasm for the project shines in her character design. For the last several years, our vision for the Top 49ers combines our magazine with our annual luncheon, and Cox’s exceptional art is the finishing polish on this year’s theme of tabletop gaming, tying everything together.

Which brings us to this year’s theme: when pared down to their essential common elements, tabletop games present a challenge, a set of rules, and an opportunity to succeed. Some are solo ventures, some call for cooperation, and some encourage competition. But whatever the details, it’s up to the players to determine and pursue a winning strategy. It’s a clear metaphor for how Top 49ers and other local entrepreneurs and business owners pursue success in their individual industries.

Although our theme changes from year to year, the Top 49ers issue is always a cooperative endeavor. Each of our publications requires many talented hands, but especially this month I’m happy to reflect on how this magazine is truly Alaskan made.