Junior achievement Hall of Fame Laureate: Robert Dindinger Chairman and CEO Alaska Travel Adventures.

• Author: Orr, Vanessa
• Position: Special section: Junior Achievement Alaska Business Hall of Fame

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After running a business for more than three decades, Robert Dindinger knows what works. And he's been willing to share his knowledge with Junior Achievement classes over the years, as well as with other organizations.

"It's always been really important to me to talk to young people about being in business, whether that's through entrepreneurship presentations to Junior Achievement or working in entrepreneurship programs with the Chamber of Commerce," Dindinger said. "I've been politically active all of my life and one of my ongoing messages is the need to create jobs and opportunities in the private sector for our children."

Dindinger believes that this is especially important in Alaska where the state is, in large part, a government community. "Between military, State, federal and municipal jobs, a disproportionate part of Alaska's population works in the government," Dindinger said. "Small businesses are often overlooked for their contributions to the economy. Alaskans don't pay for the cost of government here; they don't pay State sales tax or State income tax. Those costs are borne by businesses exclusively."

To this end, Dindinger has spent years speaking out about entrepreneurship and the struggles and successes that come from running a business. "I believe in teaching young people how challenging and rewarding it is to run a small business because if they don't get that message, they may not see the private sector as an alternative for going into public service," he explained. "Young, creative people can really thrive in the private sector."

According to Flora L. Teo, president, Junior Achievement of Alaska Inc., Dindinger's willingness to share his experiences with the younger generation was one of the qualities that cemented his nomination. "Bob Dindinger was selected as a laureate this year by a committee of his peers who felt that his pioneering spirit of entrepreneurship, integrity and success makes him an ideal role model for young people in Alaska today," she said. "He has blazed a path in the travel and tourism industry for the next generation of leaders to follow, and is an outstanding addition to the more than 100 Alaska business leaders previously inducted."

As a way to introduce future businesspeople to the travel industry, Junior Achievement has created the JA Travel and Tourism supplement, designed for high school students taking part in any JA program. The supplement focuses on introducing...