he Top 49ers include top performing companies with a diverse range of services and products. Even though approximately half the 2024 Top 49ers are Alaska Native corporations, this, too, only speaks to the diversity of ventures that can build a successful company, as they have subsidiaries and partners in every major Alaska industry. Success is not limited to any single industry; it’s about elevating services, perfecting products, and refining collaboration and communication.

This year, we asked the Top 49ers: What project have you completed, or what service do you provide, that exemplifies your expertise—and how have you refined that expertise over the years?

Here are their responses, in no particular order, edited for length and house style.

MyHouse’s new Carson-Cottle Center is an example of the types of projects Watterson excels at. The project owner selected Watterson as the general contractor during the design phase for this community building project. This allowed Watterson to work with MyHouse, the architects, and engineers to explore design options that maximize the building program within the budget of a nonprofit and still respect the design intent of the architects.

Initial design concepts were significantly more than MyHouse had in its budget. Watterson was able to help the team understand where the money was going and provide multiple options for modifications so that the team could align program, design, and budget with the project goals. The project stayed within budget, maintained the desired aesthetics, and retained all program areas to ensure the new facility will meet the project goals. Construction will begin this fall, with building occupancy scheduled for the end of 2025.

Providing government customers with exceptional services is a hallmark of Alutiiq and its subsidiaries. Alutiiq is proud to announce its successful completion of the US Department of Defense, Defense Industrial Base Cybersecurity Assessment Center (DIBCAC) Joint Surveillance Voluntary Assessment Program. DIBCAC and Redspin, a certified third-party assessment organization, completed their assessments and awarded Alutiiq a perfect score of 110 points. This DIBCAC certificate will be converted into a Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification Level 2 accreditation once the federal rulemaking process is complete.

Chugach Electric’s investment in the Beluga River Unit (BRU) natural gas field has saved members more than $100 million over the past eight years. Chugach Electric holds a two-thirds working interest in the BRU, and the cumulative net savings from that ownership was $101.2 million at the end of June 2024.

Koniag Government Services has earned the trust of the US government to facilitate elite performance on a variety of mission-critical IT and professional consulting services: Vervint, Koniag’s commercial IT subsidiary, helps organizations navigate the digital age by empowering people through strategy, technology, and experience. Koniag Energy & Water uses exceptional talent, local know-how, and modern technology to provide safe, reliable energy and water solutions. Koniag Real Estate oversees Koniag’s diverse real estate portfolio located across the United States. Koniag Region Investments, which includes the Kodiak Granite Quarry and Kodiak Brown Bear Center & Lodge, delivers on Koniag’s mission to support culture and community.

We know how essential air travel is to Alaskans, and it is our goal to provide flexible, hassle free, and friendly service for passengers and cargo. Our generous baggage policy and reliable schedule are a vital part of our service. For more than fifty years, Grant has been committed to the region, and we plan to be here for the next fifty.

Diversifying our business investments strengthens resilience across all sectors, allowing us to navigate market fluctuations more effectively. This strategic approach not only safeguards our investments but also maximizes returns, delivering substantial benefits to our shareholders and contributing positively to the economic stability and growth of our region.

We purchased Alaska Ship Supply in Dutch Harbor in December 2023. This was an opportunity to bring the Three Bears shopping experience to the communities of Dutch Harbor and Unalaska. We have added enhanced food selections for our walk-in customers while maintaining the products needed to support the commercial fishing industry.

Calista subsidiary STG Incorporated received a statewide excellence in construction award from the Associated General Contractors of Alaska for the large, utility-scale wind turbine it installed to bring renewable energy to the remote western Alaska communities of Stebbins and St. Michael. STG has installed more than 100 utility-scale turbines in rural Alaska, and it also provides crane services to maintain the Kodiak Electric, Fire Island, and Eva Creek wind farms.

We strive to be a one-stop shop for all our customers’ needs, and we’ve continued to expand our product offerings to achieve that goal. From heavy duty trucks, construction equipment, or AG and Turf necessities to extensive parts inventory and certified service facilities—our mission is to be the most trusted and reliable source for all those who are building Alaska’s future.

Building strong relationships has always been at the heart of First National’s success. The high interest rate environment and deposit outflow in 2023 led First National to renew our emphasis on our One Solution strategy to best serve and support customers and to sustain core earnings. From corporate credit cards and lines of credit to investment services and payroll solutions, our treasury management, lending, branch, and wealth management and trust teams were ready to serve up the financial tools to help Alaska businesses achieve their short- and long-term goals. The bank’s local experts worked hard to gain a thorough knowledge of each business they served, allowing us to anticipate and respond to immediate personal and business financial needs.

Roger Hickel Contracting takes great pride in the way we interact with owners, designers, and clients in a team approach, working together to meet the project needs and budget.

CIRI continues to work with our family of socially driven enterprises to provide educational and cultural opportunities, housing, healthcare, and social services to shareholders, descendants, and the 70,000 Alaska Native and American Indian people who reside in the Cook Inlet region and beyond. Earlier this year, CIRI launched an executive mentorship program exclusively for our shareholders and descendants: the Yah (“grow” in Dena’ina) program was designed specifically to build executive-level skills to prepare for future executive leadership needs throughout CIRI’s ecosystem.

The key value proposition offered by Everts, beyond the exceptional service provided by our dedicated employees, lies in our demonstrated drive for continuous improvement, as evidenced by our diverse fleet, specifically selected to serve the unique needs of Alaska. Additionally, our ongoing commitment to implementing and enhancing strategies, management systems, and processes to ensure we maintain the highest level of safety performance is a hallmark leading to our continued success.

Alaska’s remote coastal and upriver communities rely on companies like Bowhead Transport to support projects that require delivery of heavy equipment and construction materials to hard-to-reach locations. Bowhead operates several push-boats, river and inland coastal water barges, and ocean-going sailings. Its territory ranges from Seattle to the far Aleutians, upriver in western Alaska and Bristol Bay, and all along the Alaska coast up to Kaktovik in the Arctic. Bowhead Transport’s motto, “We are of the sea,” reflects its specific company outlook and mirrors the cultural touchpoints of parent company UIC and its Iñupiat shareholders.

With its talented team of North Slope tundra and ice travel experts, UIC Oil & Gas Support has built a reputation as a can-do, one-stop shop that continues to establish new services to meet the demands of a dynamic industry. UIC Oil & Gas Support provides a full range of onshore, near-shore, and offshore oil and gas support services, including trail scouting and building, freight hauling, remote camps, equipment rental, bear guards, spill response, and even heavy equipment repair.

Through partnerships and collaboration, Alaska’s two largest solar farms power our members and at no additional cost to our members.

One of Gana-A’Yoo’s core strengths is design/build, and recently we were fortunate to work on a collaborative project between EPA, the General Services Administration, and the Smithsonian Institution to design/build the new National Environmental Museum and Education Center in Washington, D.C.

One of the year’s highlights was the awarding of a $12.6 million USDA ReConnect 4 grant, which will bring the Tyonek Alaska Native Village Statistical Area safe and dependable internet service. This grant will facilitate the deployment of 41 miles of fiber transport from MTA’s network at Point Mackenzie, which will feed distribution fiber to the Native Village of Tyonek. This will provide secure and reliable service capable of 100/100 Mbps—a 100 percent increase in speed compared to what is currently available.

This project, which is currently in the permitting phase with construction beginning this year, follows MTA serving the Native Village of Tyonek with telecommunications products and services for decades.

BBNC’s expertise is evident across our diverse business lines: industrial services, construction, government services, seafood, and tourism.

Beyond our business lines, our commitment to shareholder support and community development is a testament to our comprehensive expertise. In FY2024, we enhanced shareholder benefits through increased distributions, burial assistance, and employment training. We engaged 613 youth in development programs, provided internships, and supported leadership training through various initiatives. Additionally, we managed more than 3 million acres of land responsibly, balancing development with environmental protection. These efforts collectively reflect BBNC’s commitment to its mission of “Enriching our Native way of life.”

TCC, a partnership between Tatitlek Corporation, Chenega Corporation, and Chugach Alaska Corporation, celebrated its 30th anniversary in April 2024. Formed after the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill, TCC has established itself as a world-class oil spill response and prevention organization that has helped protect Prince William Sound for three decades. This expertise led to a renewed, long-term contract in 2023 with Alyeska Pipeline Service Company for TCC to conduct oil spill prevention and response services protecting Prince William Sound.

Sealaska practices balance: stewarding lands responsibly for future generations; balancing profits with people; and providing diverse offerings to its 26,000 shareholders. These investments in shareholders, the region, and in sustainable global businesses all help restore balance to our planet.

Aleut proudly represents more than 4,200 shareholders. We are rooted in our Unangax̂ culture and in the rich heritage of Unangam Tanangin (Aleutian and Pribilof Islands). As we journey forward, this foundation not only embodies our respect for tradition but also our enduring commitment to progress and excellence. Our subsidiaries are the driving force behind our success and enable us to fulfill our mission to our shareholders. This unwavering dedication to our shareholders is at the heart of everything we do and who we are. We are Aleut.

Renowned for delivering high-quality projects that withstand the region’s unique environmental conditions, the Ahtna family of companies recently embarked on a significant endeavor at Palmer Airport. This ambitious project includes constructing a new taxiway, extending an existing one, removing outdated taxiways, enhancing drainage systems, and creating an additional aircraft parking apron. To prepare for the Palmer Airport project, Ahtna strategically invested in a diverse range of equipment. These assets not only bolster Ahtna’s capabilities for this project but also affirm the company’s dedication to ensuring success in future civil construction ventures in Alaska.

Tyonek provides reliable support of the US Armed Forces by meeting the rigorous and highly technical manufacturing, maintenance, repair, and readiness needs of various land-based and aircraft mission systems.

Our oil well plug and abandonment (P&A) teams are hard at work on BLM Orphan Well projects in the Lower 48, where we are putting our Alaska-tested P&A expertise to the task.

Our industry-leading maritime manufacturing capabilities at Reconcraft meet the advanced vessel design requirements of the US Coast Guard and US Navy. At Coho Construction Management and Copper River Infrastructure Services, our construction and engineering companies are working to remediate hurricane damage to US Air Force and US Army Corps of Engineers facilities on the Gulf Coast. Through advanced information technology projects with the FDA, our companies—Copper River Enterprise Services, TACG, Copper River Cyber Solutions, and Copper River IT—demonstrate our commitment to technological innovation and modernization. We approach each opportunity as a chance to build long-term relationships with our clients.

One reason CFC has stood above is because of our adaptability and creativity. In January 2023, CFC and The Village Store participated in the 3rd annual Trend Fashion Show in Anchorage. CFC had six unique designs on exhibit at the show, which contained bold, Indigenous-inspired prints adorning the ready-to-wear line. This clothing collection was designed and inspired by the Tlingit culture and presented the unique style, colors, and meanings illustrated in Alaska Native art. CFC’s mission is supporting our Tlingit shareholders, celebrating and preserving the traditions of our ancestors, and showcasing to the world our unique culture of history, music, language, insights, art, and now fashion.

The traditional values of the people of the Middle Kuskokwim are the foundation of everything we do at The Kuskokwim Corporation. In our pursuit of opportunities to support and provide for our shareholders, we are committed to responsibly developing and maintaining business ventures, resources, and diversification strategies. Those same values and commitments help us maintain a balanced and sustainable approach to opportunity while honoring tradition.

Over the years, Usibelli Coal Mine has continuously refined its expertise through a decades-long commitment to innovation, environmental stewardship, and community engagement.

Our reclamation program, which restores mined lands to their natural state, has been recognized as a model in the industry. We actively seek ways to reduce our environmental footprint.

Our ongoing efforts to refine and expand our capabilities ensure we remain a leader in Alaska’s energy sector.

ASRC Energy is the prime contractor for the Methane Hydrates Project. Japan Oil, Gas and Metals National Corporation, in partnership with the US Department of Energy National Energy Technology Laboratory and US Geological Survey, is implementing a long-term methane gas hydrate production test program on Alaska’s North Slope to determine the role gas hydrates may play as a future energy resource for the United States and Japan. The aim of the project is to commercialize the use of methane hydrate extracted from the country’s coastal waters by March 2028.

ASRC Energy is providing electrical and mechanical engineering services to design a surface production facility and wells for the Alaska Methane Hydrate Project. In addition, the ASRC Energy team provided architecture and civil, structural, process, and fire protection engineering. ASRC Energy staff are designing the well construction, overseeing drilling activity, and, at the project conclusion, designing and executing the wells’ permanent abandonment, as well as providing process safety assurance to the test facilities.