Member News
Does your business have exciting news it wants to share with the rest of the Anchorage Chamber membership? To submit an announcement, log in to your Anchorage Chamber profile and complete a News Release. For assistance accessing your account, call (907) 272-2401.
Anchorage Chamber staff will review and approve all submissions.
News Release: 10/7/2026
First National Bank Alaska announces leadership transition ANCHORAGE, Alaska – First National Bank Alaska (OTCQX: FBAK) today announced that Betsy Lawer, who has served as Board Chair and Chief Executive Officer/President since 2015, will transition to Executive Chair of the Board of Directors effective January 2, 2027. First National’s Board of Directors unanimously appointed Darren Franz to become CEO/President, assuming responsibility for the bank’s operations and executive leadership team. This
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Anchorage Chamber Gubernatorial Forum Debrief
October 5th Event Cancellation Follow-Up ANCHORAGE - The October 5, 2026 “Make it Monday” Gubernatorial Candidate forum luncheon was canceled due to late-breaking changes to candidate schedules. The minimum threshold to host a candidate forum set by our Advocacy Committee is two candidates. Unfortunately, candidate cancellations were received Monday morning, setting us below the threshold. Many members and attendees looked forward to this important advocacy and candidate education
SBA Announces $4.9M in Grant Awards to Expand VBOC Network
New VBOCs will Support Entrepreneurs in Alaska, Florida and LouisianaWASHINGTON — Today, the U.S. Small Business Administration announced nearly $4.9 million in grant awards over five years to establish new Veterans Business Outreach Centers (VBOCs) in Alaska, Florida and Louisiana, along with supporting satellite offices. The new centers will expand access to entrepreneurship training, counseling, and technical assistance at no cost to veterans, active-duty servicemembers, National Guard and Reserve
Anchorage Chamber Announces 2026 Gold Pan Awards Finalists
ANCHORAGE, AK – The Anchorage Chamber of Commerce’s 69th Annual Gold Pan Awards,“All That Glitters is Gold,” will be held at the Dena’ina Civic and Convention Center on Nov. 20. Established in 1957, the awards are one of Anchorage’s longest-running civic programs. "The Anchorage Chamber Gold Pan Awards recognize outstanding local achievement, and we are extremely excited to announce our 2026 finalists,” says Kathleen McArdle, President & CEO. “For 69 years, Gold Pan Awards have been bestowed upon those who
New Staff Engineers Join R&M
Gabe Benitez, EIT and Long Nguyen, EIT, CESCL recently joined R&M CONSULTANTS, INC. (R&M) as Staff Engineers. Gabe joins R&M’s Water Resources Group and will be based in the firm’s Wasilla office, where he will support hydrology, hydraulics and drainage design projects. Long joins the firm’s Construction Services Department, where he will support construction administration and inspection for transportation and infrastructure projects throughout Alaska.Gabe brings six years of engineering and natural
Community Conversation: Navigating the Healthcare System
Join us on October 13th for Community Conversation: Navigating the Healthcare System with Dr. Jillian Woodruff! Ever wonder how your provider navigates the healthcare system? Join us as we hear from local healthcare providers about their challenges in navigating the complicated healthcare system and how to manage it all as a team!
Mr Anchorage Joins Anchorage Chamber and Launches Special Opportunity for Chamber Members
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Mr Anchorage Joins Anchorage Chamber and Launches Special Opportunity for Chamber Members ANCHORAGE, Alaska — September 10, 2026 — Mr Anchorage, a locally focused digital media brand highlighting Anchorage history, businesses, events and community stories, has officially joined the Anchorage Chamber of Commerce. Created by Anchorage content creator Andres Gonzalez, Mr Anchorage has grown into a local media platform focused on helping residents discover more about the people,
Alaska Wealth Advisors Names Kirsten Halpin Chief Investment Officer
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEAlaska Wealth Advisors Names Kirsten Halpin Chief Investment OfficerANCHORAGE, AK — Alaska Wealth Advisors is pleased to announce the promotion of Kirsten Halpin, CFA®, CAIA®, FRM®, to Chief Investment Officer, effective August 19, 2026. In this newly elevated role, Halpin will lead the firm's investment platform, philosophy, and strategy — building on the firm's established investment discipline and on a recently expanded set of institutional-caliber capabilities now available to
YWCA Alaska Announces the 2026 Women of Achievement
YWCA Alaska is happy to share our 2026 Women of Achievement Awardees! These ten impressive women join an academy of 360+ others who have trail blazed women's leadership in Alaska. Without their hard work, the path would be tumultuous for our younger generations. While there is still work to be done, the path is nicely paved for others coming up behind. “For YWCA Alaska’s 37th year of honoring women leaders, we have yet another cohort of inspirational leaders to celebrate. It never ceases to amaze me
