The Helmericks Family: Q & A with Mark Helmericks.

• Author: Gallion, Mari
• Position: SPECIAL SECTION: Junior Achievement--2014 Laureate - Interview

How did you get your start?

Working within the family from an early age. My parents ran a variety of enterprises out of their home, including commercial fishing, a flying and guiding service, writing books and producing films, and later a contracting business. I saw both my parents working together and sharing household duties. From an early age, the kids joined in with assigned chores and a sense of reliance on each other.

Where did you grow up?

On a remote North Slope homestead called "Newkset" where the Colville River flows into the Arctic Ocean. Later an Inupiaq village was settled to the south, and took the name "Nuiqsut," so we changed the name of our homestead to "Colville Village."

What were your parents like and what was your family life and upbringing like?

Probably much like working on a Midwestern farm: up early with chores before breakfast, long hours of manual labor--shovel snow, cut wood, haul water, and take care of the sled dogs, boats and airplanes. Without any nearby towns, school was taught by home study correspondence courses. Sunday was the day of rest, and held the special treat of electricity when we ran the generator--meaning music and angel food cake, made with the electric blender.

What opportunities led to the early success of your business?

Work and education. Living in a remote part of Alaska mandated being disciplined and entrepreneurial. Opportunities came seasonally, reinforcing the need for planning and preparation. We trapped furs, commercially fished, guided clients, ran boats, and flew bush planes. When oil was discovered in the region, industrial development was a logical extension of what we were already doing--and made easier because living and working in the Arctic was already routine.

Did you have Junior Achievement in school? If so, what do you remember?

I don't remember if Junior Achievement was offered at my high school. Due to the burst of pipeline construction, I ended up attending four schools in four years: Ryan, Lathtrop, then West and East Lathrop. If it was offered, I wasn't involved at that time. I'm honored to be part of Junior Achievement now.

Do you believe there is value in educating young people about free enterprise? If so, why?

Absolutely. Free enterprise, or capitalism, is both a philosophy and an economic system. For a businessperson, you need to be practical and flexible, so the emphasis focuses more on the merits of free enterprise as a method of getting things done. Capitalism...