Jim Bowles (posthumously): ConocoPhillips Alaska Inc.

• Author: Kalytiak, Tracy
• Position: SPECIAL SECTION: 2011 Junior Achievement Alaska Business Hall of Fame

Five years ago, ConocoPhillips helped Camp Fire USA Alaska Council buy a van to safely transport the children it serves.

Afterward, Camp Fire Chief Executive Officer Barbara Dubovich and a group of her young charges traveled downtown in the new van to thank ConocoPhillips Alaska President Jim Bowles.

"Jim talked to the individual kids," Dubovich said in an interview just days before Bowles' Feb. 13, 2010, death in an avalanche near Spencer Glacier. "He engaged them in conversation about who they were, what their interests were. Not everyone takes individual time with kids and he did. I really appreciated that very much."

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Bowles' enthusiasm, compassion for other people and the well honed combination of business acumen and philanthropy he demonstrated in his life and career are key reasons why Junior Achievement Alaska members named him posthumously to the organization's 2011 Alaska Business Hall of Fame.

JA members also selected the Brice family of Brice Construction, Harry McDonald of Carlile Transportation Co. and the Quinn brothers of Capital Office Systems.

"These business leaders were selected based on their direct impact toward furthering the success of Alaska business, demonstrated support and commitment to Junior Achievement's programs and demonstrated commitment to Alaska business," said Junior Achievement Board Chairman Rick Whitbeck.

The induction ceremony for the Alaska Business Hall of Fame will be held Jan. 27 at the Dena'ina Civic & Convention Center in Anchorage. Junior Achievement of Alaska Inc. and Alaska Business Monthly are the title sponsors of this event.

WELL TRAVELED

Bowles' life began in Fayetteville, Ark., and he later graduated from the University of Arkansas in 1974, his obituary stated.

He joined Phillips Petroleum upon graduation and moved to Odessa, Texas, where he met his wife, Kathy. The couple married in 1977 and moved to Norway, where their two daughters, Jennifer and Rebecca, were born. Over the following years, the family moved to Texas, Montana, Oklahoma, back to Norway and then to Houston, Texas.

Bowles retired as president of Phillips' Americas Division in 2002 and spent time at his ranch near Kerrville, Texas, and with family in Pagosa Springs, Colo. In 2004, he emerged from retirement to become president of ConocoPhillips Alaska.

A GIVING NATURE

Bowles immediately reached out to others in the community, involving himself and ConocoPhillips in a bevy of charitable and...