Superheroes of Success: saving Alaska through high-quality jobs, revenue to the state and robust growth.

• Author: Cutler, Debbie
• Position: 2011 Alaska's Top 49ers: Superheroes of Success - Cover story

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

In late August, Federal Reserve Chairman Ben S. Bernanke said the U.S. economy is in recovery and longterm prospects for the nation are strong. Here in Alaska, and here at ABM, we gage our economy on the health of our businesses.

Everyone knows the state has been hit- some- by the recession. But most know we have not been hit as hard as our Lower 49 counterparts. Sure real estate markets are flat, some oil and gas jobs are going south to booming North Dakota, and financial institutions have to be creative as spending has softened. But by the looks of our Top 49ers, the top Alaskan-owned and -operated businesses in the state based on 2010 gross revenues, we are doing well.

Well indeed.

These are Alaska's Superheroes of Success. They may not leap from tall buildings or help damsels in distress, but they save Alaska by providing high-quality jobs, revenue to the state and in many cases robust growth. They are Superheroes of Industry. Superheroes of Job Growth. And Superheroes of the Alaska Economy.

They are truly leaders to be watched and studied, as they are examples to be followed. Their leaders show us how to diversify, how to join the global market, how not to keep all eggs in one basket.

Of the Top 49 companies recognized, only 15 saw decreases in revenue, half of those slight - between -1 and -3 percent, and the other half marginal, between -7 and -25 percent. Growth was as high as 168 percent and as low as 1 percent. Take a look at Bethel Native Corp. which increased revenues from $36.1 million to $96.7 million, or Cook Inlet Region Inc. - from $79.9 million to $188.4 million. The Kuskokwim Corp. and Neeser Construction Inc. also saw outstanding increases in revenue.

Ranking first on the list, as usual and as expected, is Arctic Slope Regional Corp. with revenues of $2.3 billion--topping the list for 17 consecutive years. Closely following are NANA Regional Corp. Inc. with gross revenues of $1.6 billion, Bristol Bay Native Corp. with revenues of $1.4 billion and Chenega Corp. with 2010 gross revenues of $1.1 billion.

"It was a historic year for the corporation," said Rex A. Rock, Sr., ASRC president and CEO. "For the first time, we passed the $500 million mark in the total amount that we've distributed to our shareholders, just in the form of dividends. We've also surpassed the billion-dollar mark when it comes to our shareholder equity. Given the uncertainly in the global economy and the continuing decline in...