AGC Podcast: Build Alaska
The Build Alaska podcast aims to inform members of the construction industry and the public at large about the history of construction in Alaska, as well as how you can be part of its future.
Click below to listen to the most recent podcasts in both the 'Works' and 'Legacy' divisions.
Build Alaska: Works
Build Alaska: Legacy
Hear Travis give an overview of the advantages and challenges of the Mixer Truck Driving profession.
For more information about Anchorage Sand & Gravel, check out their website here.
Bronson Frye with the Painters & Glaziers Union, Local 1959 gives insight into his work.
For more information about Local 1959, check out their website here.
Shawn is a lifelong Alaskan from Chugiak, AK. She received an environmental engineering degree from Montana Tech and then later a Master’s in Project engineering and management.
She is the owner of Crouse Environmental Compliance, LLC since 2012, specializing in environmental permitting and compliance for construction and oil and gas. She is also a longtime instructor of CESCL.
Phil Elmer talks about his occupation as Aggregate Manager for Exclusive Paving in Fairbanks.
Cheryl Venechuk is a Traffic Control Supervisor for Exclusive Paving in Fairbanks, and also part of Laborers' Local 942. She is involved in the community in Fairbanks, and recently put together the first annual Fairbanks Trades Women calendar. To learn more about Exclusive Paving, follow the link: http://www.colaska.com/About-Us/Our-Companies
Elaine Banda is the AKOSH (Alaska Occupational Safety and Health) Training Coordinator for the State of Alaska. To learn more about AKOSH, click here.
Find out more about NECA Here!
Click here to learn more about Chemtrack Alaska, Inc.
Click here to learn more about the UAA Culinary School Program
Skeet is now with USI Insurance Services
To find out more about Alaska Works Partnership and upcoming trainings, check out their website: www.alaskaworks.org
For more information about EXCEL Alaska, visit their website: https://excelalaska.org/about-excel/
o learn more about the Alaska Carpenters Training Trust, click here!
How to Build a Quality Workforce! Christian is passionate about helping leaders to create workplaces they love going to, and increasing the value of the services they offer. His results-oriented approach is tailored to each client’s specific situation and needs. Check out this book,
Conflict and Leadership: How to Harness the Power of Conflict to Create Better Leaders and Build Thriving Teams. His website: https://www.christianmuntean.com/
Interested in learning more about the Alaska Operating Engineers/Employers Training Trust.
Enjoy Adam's Podcast, and then Click here to visit their website!
Christine White, CPSM, Communications Manager, R&M Consultants, Inc. on Understanding Social Media & how best to use LinkedIn.
Christine has a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism & Public Communications from the University of Alaska Anchorage. She is a member of the Society for Marketing Professional Services and currently serves on the Board as the Immediate Past President, and actively participates in events with the Alaska Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America and Associated General Contractors of Alaska. Click here to learn more about Christine!
Jensen is the SkillsUSA Advisors at Wasilla High School in Alaska and serves as the State of Alaska State Director. Learn more about the SkillsUSA program here.
Active AGC Committee Member Mike T. Gould, Excel Construction, Inc. Click here to learn more about Excel Construction, Inc.
Chad Wilson, Spenard Builders Supply Project Manager/Estimator Commercial Floor covering was a past Chair of the AGC of Alaska Construction Leadership Council.
Chad is now with Commercial Contractors, Inc.
Hear from UAA Students Brandon Parsons & Cody Lankford on their experiences with the UAA Construction Management Program and traveling to compete with other university students in building competitions.
Dax Lauwers, MBA
Client Executive at Marsh McLennan Agency
Mike discusses his long history in Alaska Construction Industry.
Forrest Dunbar is an attorney and politician who, in April 2016, was elected to the Anchorage Assembly, representing Anchorage's East District. In this interview he discusses his history in Alaska and connections to construction.
Ron Pichler, President of Denali Drilling, gives an account of his experience in the Alaskan construction industry.
Click here to listen.
John Shively first came to Alaska in 1965 as a VISTA volunteer. What started as a one year assignment turned into a career involved in the issues that have shaped Alaska – both in the private and public sector. Shively worked with NANA Regional Corporations on the development of the Red Dog Mine and prior to his assignment at Pebble served as Holland America Lines executive in Alaska. He has served two governors and is a former commissioner of the Department of Natural Resources. Shively has been a trustee for Alaska Permanent Fund, regent at the University of Alaska and served on numerous boards including the Alaska Chamber and the Resource Development Council where he served as president for five years. In 2009, Shively received the Bill Egan award from the Alaska State Chamber of Commerce as their outstanding Alaskan of the year. Shively has also been recognized with the prestigious Denali Award from the Alaska Federation of Natives. In 2014, Shively transitioned from his position as CEO of the Anchorage-based Pebble Partnership to serve as Chairman of the Board – a role that allows him to stay active with Pebble while spending more time with his family.
Beki Kelly moved to Alaska in 2008 after completing a dual degree in Natural Science and Education from Colorado State University and teaching science and math at a Fort Collins High School. While in Alaska, Beki has worked as an environmental scientist for an engineering firm and completed a masters in Environmental Science from Alaska Pacific University. With Alaska Resource Education (ARE), Beki has been able to combine her passion for teaching with her knowledge and experience from consulting in industry. Since joining ARE in 2012, Beki has spent her time traveling across the state educating students and teachers about Alaska’s Natural Resources.
To learn more about ARE, visit www.akresource.org.
Gary is President & CEO of KLEBS Mechanical. He started KLEBS as a one man truck and metal fabrication business in 1986. He has been at the helm of KLEBS leading them forward in growth for the past 26 years to the multi-faceted company that they are today. Gary's roots in the industry and education run deep. He is one of the founders of the Associated Builders & Contractors of Alaska. He is also the past President of the Board of Directors for the ABC of Alaska of which KLEBS is a current member. Gary has a vision for KLEBS to continue to grow and flourish as a family business that reflects the original values of candor, teamwork, ingenuity and integrity that he originally brought to his one-man operation.
To find out more about KLEBS, click here.
Dick Engebretson is a longtime member of the Alaskan construction industry and resident of Fairbanks. He has been a recipient of the prestigious AGC Hard Hat award and is well-known throughout the business.
Darl purchased Art Services North in 1992 and has been running Alaska's best events with his team ever since. They've worked with just about every industry in the state, and here Darl recounts his long history with the construction industry.
Click here to learn more about Roger Hickel Contracting, Inc.
Mike Heatwole is Vice President of Public Affairs for the Pebble Partnership, a position he has held since August 2008. To learn more about the Pebble Project, click here!
Planning your Exit Strategy!
Christian is passionate about helping leaders to create workplaces they love going to, and increasing the value of the services they offer. His results-oriented approach is tailored to each client’s specific situation and needs. Check out this book, Conflict and Leadership: How to Harness the Power of Conflict to Create Better Leaders and Build Thriving Teams. His website: https://www.christianmuntean.com/
Historical Interview with Mike Swalling
A former Attorney General for the state of Alaska (2012 – 2014), Mike Geraghty has been providing legal counsel to organizations impacting Alaska’s growth and history for more than 35 years. Mike uses his deep experience, knowledge and relationships to advise clients on multi-faceted complex cases, including class actions and anti-trust. He has appeared before the Alaska Supreme Court in matters ranging from sovereign immunity, insurance bad faith and administrative law to attorney-client privilege, OSHA regulations, contract claims, shareholder disputes, products liability, and premises-landowner liability. Mike has appeared as lead counsel in civil and criminal law matters, as well as proceedings before the OSHA Review Board, the Alaska State Commission on Human Rights, and the U.S. Land Commission. He has tried cases to verdict before juries across Alaska including Fairbanks, Anchorage, Barrow, Kenai, and Dillingham.
Prior to his role at Attorney General, Mike was a partner in the Anchorage law firm DeLisio Moran Geraghty & Zobel, PC, with a practice devoted exclusively to litigation and appeals before state and federal courts. Mike received the Alaska Bar Association Board of Governors’ Professionalism Award in 2007 “in recognition of exemplary conduct in his association with the public, his colleagues and the legal community.” A lifelong Alaskan, Mike is an active volunteer with Special Olympics serving as a coach for the swim team.
Jim Fergusson of Fergusson & Associates, is an AGC Hard Hat and a Past President of the Alaska Chapter. He specializes in Construction Management, Consulting, Dispute Review Boards and Mediation, Expert Witness and is a Licensed PE. He is currently an AGC Life Board Member, a National Director and the Board Chair of the Construction Industry Progress Fund (CIPF).
2020 AGC of Alaska President
Currently Vice-President and part owner of Rain Proof Roofing.
Active in the National Roofing Contractors Association and AGC of Alaska.
F & W Construction Co. President, AGC Hard Hat and AGC of Alaska Past President.
Tamie Taylor began her career in construction working as a secretary for a Colorado General Contractor specializing in Department of Defense (DOD) contracts. The employer noted Taylor’s intelligence, determination and dedication and encouraged her to increase her knowledge of the construction industry. In 1989, she was recruited by an Alaskan General Contractor for her experience and knowledge in DOD contract administration. Since moving to Alaska, she has focused her career on DOD contract administration and project management. Taylor has been employed with Alaska Native Corporations as a Project Manager, SABER Program Manager, Construction Division Manager, VP of Construction Operations and Operations Manager. She has more than 20 years of experience working 8(a) contracting methods, in addition to other SBA and DBE programs.
In 2013, Taylor formed Taylored Business Solutions, LLC (TBS) offering project management, contract administration, project superintendence, proposal assistance and general business assistance on a contractual basis. TBS also is a licensed general contractor.
Taylor has a bachelor’s degree in Biology, has earned her CDT certification from the Construction Specification Institute, CIT and CDS certifications from the NAWIC (National Association of Women in Construction) Education Foundation and a Masters Certificate in Project Management from George Washington University School of Business. For over two decades, she has been a member of NAWIC, serving one term as National President and four terms as the Alaska Chapter President, Taylor has served on the UAA Construction Management Advisory Board for 14 years and retains memberships in AK Associated General Contractors (AGC), Society of Women Engineers (SWE) and the Society of Military Engineers (SAME).
Tamie joined NAWIC in 1992 and has served on the Alaska Chapter Board many years, has served in all of the Board and is currently our Chapter President.
Taylored Business Solutions, LLC is a Women Owned Business (WOSB)
U.S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS
Alaska District
Randall L. Bowker, Deputy District Engineer for Program Management - Chief, Program and Projects Management Division. Click HERE to read his full bio.