Richard L. Lowell: Alaska Business Hall of Fame Laureate, JA: Ribelin Lowell Alaska USA Insurance Brokers.

• Author: Martin, Michelle J.
• Position: Junior achievement - Cover Story

Richard L. Lowell, formerly president and CEO of Ribelin Lowell & Company Insurance Brokers Inc., has been giving to communities in Alaska both personally and through his business for more than 20 years. In 1977, Ribelin Lowell & Company Insurance Brokers Inc. was established by Robert F. Ribelin as Ribelin Insurance Agency Inc. In 1985, Richard Lowell purchased a majority interest, and the name of the company was changed to reflect new management. Recently, Ribelin Lowell & Company merged with Alaska USA Federal Credit Union, allowing Lowell to retire and serve Ribelin Lowell on a consultant basis. The company's new name is Ribelin Lowell Alaska USA Insurance Brokers.

Ribelin Lowell provides insurance services to businesses in Alaska, maintaining close working relationships with clients. Ensuring client satisfaction is part of what motivates employees to develop precise insurance plans and make recommendations to fit specific client requirements. Ribelin Lowell employees work to find the best price and coverage for the companies with which they do business, while taking into account the different needs of Alaska businesses.

Richard Lowell found it important for his employees to be community-minded in addition to their day-to-day job requirements, encouraging employees' involvement in and volunteer hours for Alaska social service organizations. Employees express interest in various volunteer opportunities, and are provided with support for their efforts through time off or sponsorship through Ribelin Lowell. "One of the ways we encourage the employees is to shut the office down for the United Way Day of Caring every year in order to allow employees access to volunteer time," said Lowell while still at the helm of the business late last year.

Ribelin Lowell employees recently participated in the United Way Day of Caring Food Drive, helping fight hunger by organizing a company food drive, and collecting canned food and dry goods. United Way collected a total of 111,000 pounds of food at the community collection site at Fred Meyer-6,900 pounds of which stemmed directly from the efforts of Lowell and the employees at Ribelin Lowell & Company. Lowell finds employees have more satisfaction in their positions when encouraged to pursue community interests. It is a way the business can give back to the community, which has given support for the last 28 years.

Since 1975, the Junior Achievement Alaska Business Hall of Fame has annually recognized the...