JA Q&A with Rex A. Rock Sr. Providing for My People.

• Position: JUNIOR ACHIEVMENT SPECIAL SECTION

Rex A. Rock Sr.--president and CEO of Arctic Slope Regional Corporation (ASRQ--knew from a young age that he wanted to support and build his community and has taken on many roles in his personal and professional lives to that end. Below, Rock shares a few of his experiences in the business community and some insights on how we can prepare the youth of today for the world they'll work in,

Alaska Business: How did you get your start?

Rex A. Rock Sr.: Interestingly, even as a very young man I knew I wanted to serve my community at some capacity. I remember being in grade school and telling my friends that what I wanted to do when I grew up is be the president and CEO of Arctic Slope Regional Corporation.

Later in life I had a relative, John C. Oktollik Sr., who thankfully saw my potential as a leader in my hometown of Tikigaq and collected the necessary signatures for me to run for a seat on the ASRC board of directors. I was a bit reluctant to do it (because I would have to run against other family members), but they gave their consent and convinced me to run. I'm very grateful they did.

When I started on the ASRC board in the early '90s (1993), I was one of the youngest members and had to quickly learn about a large corporate structure and way of business. It was very intimidating at the time, but I learned so much from the other board members at the time-people like Joe Upicksoun, Eddie Hopson, and even Jacob Anagi Adams Sr. and Oliver Leavitt.

AB: Where did you grow up? Rock: I was born in North Pole, but grew up in the Inupiaq community of Tikigaq, or Point Hope, the longest inhabited community in North America. I still live in my community today and have raised my four kids here.

AB: What were your parents like, and what was your family life and upbringing like? Rock: I was raised by my grandparents, Allen and Frances Rock. My grandfather (who I always considered to be my father) passed away when I was around 11 years old, and I spent a considerable amount of time helping my grandmother at the family lodge/coffee shop, which she operated in town. I grew up understanding the importance of Inupiat values--helping others, working hard, and having respect for our elders.

Whaling is a part of our culture and the center of our community. I grew up with so much respect for whaling captains and those that provided for our people, and I'm proud to have been able to continue the legacy by eventually becoming a whaling captain myself and providing...