Eleanor Andrews.

• Author: KANE, ROGER
• Position: Brief Article

When Eleanor Andrews, president and chief executive officer of The Andrews Group, was informed that she would be inducted into the Junior Achievement's Business Hall of Fame, she said she was blown away.

"There are a lot of people on that list I have a lot of respect for," Andrews said. "I feel overwhelmed to be included in that group."

In the 37 years she has spent in Alaska, Andrews has come to know many business-hall-of-famers, either personally, through her involvement in community affairs, or by reputation. Like many past inductees, Andrews found her own niche and developed thriving enterprises.

Andrews built her company from the ground up beginning in 1986. The company provides mailroom, catering, housekeeping, warehouse, commissary, laundry and other management services for the United States Army, the U.S. Air Force, other federal agencies and private contractors in Alaska. In addition to owning and operating The Andrews Group, she also is a partner in four joint ventures.

While her business endeavors demand the lion's share of her time, Andrews still finds time to get involved with the community, although she often has to battle the clock when allocating her time. She said she likes to focus her energy on helping organizations determine public policy. She also is a tireless mentor for fledgling entrepreneurs and is well known for being a generous supporter of promising enterprises that may not be able to secure funding.

Andrews has distinguished herself as a community leader and a dedicated community-service volunteer, said Carolyn Jones, a former government attorney. Among the dozen or more organizations she serves or has served over the years, are the Alaska Black Caucus, the University of Alaska Anchorage Board of Advisors, Anchorage Neighborhood Health Center, Anchorage East Rotary Club and the United Way.

"She's an excellent role model. She mentors young people and disadvantaged people. Eleanor is always there," says Jones. "She is one of those people who believes in giving back. She puts her money where her mouth...