Wayne A. Stevens: State Chamber president's cup overflows with opportunity.

• Author: Parmelee, Catherine
• Position: SPOTLIGHT - Alaska State Chamber of Commerce - Biography

You could say Wayne Stevens' passion for skiing made a way for him to slide into the presidential seat of the Alaska State Chamber of Commerce (ASCC). But perhaps it's more a matter of a man who's not afraid to follow his own heart, who focuses on opportunities instead of obstacles.

"I guess I'm one of those guys who sees the glass half full," Stevens said.

Along with an eye on opportunity and a can-do attitude, Stevens brought decades of leadership experience to the table when he took on the position of Alaska State Chamber of Commerce president/CEO last year. Stevens has lived and worked in Alaska since 1971. He joined the Kodiak Chamber of Commerce in 1985, serving as executive director through June 2004. During his tenure, membership tripled from 125 to 375 members.

Opportunity led Stevens to Alaska, and it is part of what keeps him around. "People can be involved and have a hand in the state's future," he said. "That excites me."

THE JOYS OF YOUTH

In his past, it might have been difficult to predict Stevens' present. He was born and raised in Lebanon, New Hampshire, graduating from the town's high school in 1970. His siblings obliged parents who believed all kids should be college-bound, but Stevens' heart was set on skiing. So following high school graduation, he worked as a professional member of the National Ski Patrol for one year. During that time, his parents thought the scientific arena might appeal to Stevens and consequently lead him to college, so they introduced him to members in that profession. As a result, Stevens left the slopes of New Hampshire and headed, not to college, but for the North Slope of Alaska. Scheduled to work one year at the Naval Arctic Research Lab in Barrow, Stevens stayed for two.

Next Stevens was fully prepared to pack his bags and return to the east, but then he heard of an opportunity to work for Wien Air Alaska. Reviewing the job's requirements, Stevens thought, I can do that, and so took the spot. From there he held various positions of progressive responsibility, staying with the company until its end in 1984.

In 1982, Stevens had transferred to Wien's operations in Kodiak, where as customer service manager, he was essentially responsible for all operations, including personnel, budget and terminal management, as well as public relations.

CHAMBER NO. 1

That experience helped Stevens think he could be the man for the job when he heard about an opening at the Kodiak Area Chamber of Commerce.

He was hired and stayed for 19 years. During that time, Stevens developed many of their current policies and procedures, as well as operational policies and programs, among many other administrative activities.

Since 1982, Stevens has participated and/or...