Value Beyond Profitability: How Top 49ers measure success.

• Date: 01 October 2023
• Published date: 01 October 2023

The Top 49ers are Alaska's largest local companies, as ranked by gross revenue. To gualify for the ranks, a company must have been founded in Alaska and remain headquartered here, and it cannot have a parent company that does not meet those requirements. Annually, Alaska Business surveys these companies, and with the information they submit, we create the Top 49ers list. The Top 49ers are economic drivers and community builders, which is possible through their success in their various sectors and industries.

What is success, though? Certainly, generating revenue is one measurement of success, but it's not the only one. In the 2023 data gathering process, we asked the Top 49ers in what ways--other than making money--they measure success. Below are their answers, lightly proofed for house style and length.

Watterson Construction Co.

Watterson sees long-term relationships as an indicator of success. Having low employee turnover, repeat customers, and happy vendors lets us know we are on the right path.

Vitus Energy

Happy customers.

Usibelli Coal Mine

Usibelli Coal Mine is proud to be Interior Alaska's energy generation backbone, providing the region with the lowest-cost source of energy. Coal provides stable consumer prices relative to heating oil, naphtha, or natural gas. Given coal's price advantage, the absence of coal from the Interior's energy profile would increase costs by more than $300 million, a cost which would likely be passed on to consumers and ratepayers. We are proud to be an economic driver for Interior Alaska.

Three Bears Alaska

Three Bears Alaska is committed to being a good steward in the communities where we live and work. We support numerous events to give back to and support Alaska communities, including Iron Dog 2023, Kenai River Festival, 1st Annual Three Bears Outdoor Sportsman Show at the Birchwood Recreation and Shooting Park, Willow 300 sled dog race (main sponsor), Knik 150 sled dog race, and Redington sled dog race--just to name a few!

The Kuskokwim Corporation

The Kuskokwim Corporation (TKC) measures success by the good we do for TKC shareholders and the people of the Middle Kuskokwim Region. Our business success in the Lower 48 has allowed us the opportunity to invest in projects that directly benefit our shareholders here at home. Not only did TKC distribute a record three dividends to shareholders in 2022 but we also work to steward our homeland with housing, workforce development, cost of living, and energy projects in the Middle Kuskokwim.

Sealaska

We measure success by the impact of our revenues turning into shareholder benefits and opportunities. Helping to create thriving, self-sustaining communities is our ultimate measure of success, and we are...