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.
Alaska Wealth Advisors Announces Strategic C-Suite Realignment to Drive Innovation and Operational Excellence
ANCHORAGE, AK – Alaska Wealth Advisors, a fiduciary wealth management firm, is pleased to announce a strategic evolution of its executive leadership team. Dave Valdez, CWS®, CLU®, ChFC®, AIF®, formerly Chief Operating Officer, has been appointed Chief Strategy Officer (CSO), and Amber Frizzell, AIF®, formerly Chief Marketing Officer, has been named Chief Operating Officer (COO). These appointments reflect the firm’s long-term sustainability and the continued elevation of the client experience.A Visionary
Municipality of Anchorage and ACDA Advance Redevelopment of Key Downtown Building
Anchorage, AK – February 17, 2026 - The Municipality of Anchorage and the Anchorage Community Development Authority are moving forward with an effort to redevelop the former Nordstrom property, a highly visible site in the heart of downtown. The building has long been a downtown landmark, reflecting an earlier era of retail-driven growth. Today, this vacant property represents a critical opportunity to reinvest in Anchorage’s urban core. On the agenda for introduction at Tuesday evening’s Anchorage
Koahnic Broadcast Corporation to Host 30th Annual Alaska Native Art Auction
Koahnic Broadcast Corporation to Host 30th Annual Alaska Native Art Auction 30th Annual Event Marks Milestone Year for Indigenous Arts and Media ANCHORAGE, Alaska — Koahnic Broadcast Corporation (KBC) announced that it will host the 30th Annual Alaska Native Art Auction on Saturday, March 21, 2026, at the Hotel Captain Cook in Anchorage, bringing together artists, community members, and supporters to celebrate three decades of Indigenous creativity and voices. For 30 years, the Alaska Native Art
$3 Million Coca-Cola Scholars Announced
$3 Million Coca-Cola Scholars Recipients have been announced, & 3 High School Seniors (1 local!) have been awarded: $3 Million Coca-Cola ScholarsWhat It Is$20,000 Scholarship for High School SeniorsAttend Scholars Banquet @ Atlanta, GA @ April 23, 2026Scholarship DetailsViewable Here $20,000 Coca-Cola Scholars:First NameLast NameHigh SchoolHS CityHS StateSophiaPilgrimKetchikan High SchoolKetchikanAKWayneBarnumAlaska Middle College SchoolAnchorageAKSienaFarrJuneau-Douglas High SchoolJuneauAK Thank you for
First National Bank Alaska contributes more than $1 million to Alaska organizations in 2025
Fourth-quarter contributions of $574,711 pushed the total given to Alaska communities by First National Bank Alaska and its employees to more than $1 million in 2025. Total contributions include charitable gifts, activity sponsorships and in-kind donations of time and talent during the past year. “Our great communities are at the heart of what makes Alaska such a wonderful place to live, work and play,” said Board Chair and CEO/President Betsy Lawer. “Investing in their success directly enhances quality
Building and Managing Your Marketing as a Small Business Owner
Small business owners often assume marketing is something handled by agencies, consultants, or platforms. In reality, small business marketing is most powerful when the owner takes strategic control—setting direction, defining the message, and building systems that generate consistent visibility and sales. You do not need a massive budget. You need clarity, structure, and discipline.Quick Wins You Can Start TodayDefine exactly who your ideal customer is before creating any content. Focus on one or two
Mayor LaFrance heads to Juneau to advocate for critical infrastructure and public safety priorities
Today, Anchorage Mayor Suzanne LaFrance arrived in Juneau to advocate for the Municipality’s 2026 legislative priorities, including support for the Don Young Port of Alaska Modernization project and the Anchorage Police Department’s (APD) Real-Time Crime Center.During her visit, Mayor LaFrance is meeting with members of the Anchorage legislative delegation and key stakeholders to secure essential funding for these critical projects and other priorities. As Alaska’s largest urban community, the Municipality
Chugach Electric pursues hydroelectric projects
Goal is to reduce reliance on natural gas, pursue clean energy supply As part of its ongoing efforts to reduce the dependency on natural gas and achieve board-directed decarbonization goals, Chugach Electric Association, Inc. is moving forward on the investigation of potential hydroelectric sites around Southcentral Alaska. Chugach has filed preliminary permit applications with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and water right applications with the Alaska Department of Natural Resources
Anchorage Assembly approves Mayor LaFrance’s ordinance to enhance safety in public spaces
In an 11-1 vote on Tuesday, the Anchorage Assembly approved a measure to improve safety in public spaces, proposed by Mayor Suzanne LaFrance and cosponsored by Assembly Members Zac Johnson and Kameron Perez-Verdia. AO 2026-10 updates Anchorage Municipal Code with new legal tools that will enable law enforcement to address certain behaviors that are unsafe or inappropriate in public areas, including public intoxication and public indecency. The approved ordinance closes legal gaps that previously limited
Nominations Now Open: 2026 Seymour Awards ??
New this year, we are inviting you, the members, to nominate a colleague or business you believe deserves recognition. This is your chance to shine the spotlight on someone who went above and beyond or made a meaningful impact on the industry. The 2026 Seymour Awards Banquet is on Friday, April 3. This year’s theme is Night of the Stars: Celebrating the Stars Among Us!Nomination DetailsNominations are due by February 20Include specifics about why you think they deserve the award; more detail makes
R&M Opens Wasilla Office, Expanding presence in the Matanuska-Susitna Valley
R&M CONSULTANTS, INC. (R&M) has opened a new office in Wasilla, expanding the firm’s footprint in the Matanuska-Susitna Valley and strengthening its ability to serve clients and communities in one of Alaska’s fastest-growing regions.The Wasilla office supports R&M’s multi-discipline services, including engineering, planning, surveying, geosciences, environmental services and construction support. Establishing a permanent presence in the Mat-Su improves local responsiveness, enhances collaboration with
Rasmuson Foundation Selects LeeAnn Cooper Garrick as Chief Operating Officer
Anchorage, ALASKA – Rasmuson Foundation welcomes LeeAnn Cooper Garrick as its Chief Operating Officer. In this newly added role, Garrick will join the Foundation’s executive group, overseeing internal operations and external events. “The COO role is key to creating a unified, collaborative work environment and strengthening our ability to serve Alaskans,” said Gretchen Guess, president & CEO of Rasmuson Foundation. “Success means a humble leader who elevates teams, partners with her directors, and fosters
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated Celebrates 118 Years of Sisterhood, Service and Scholarship
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® Celebrates 118 Years of Sisterhood at Far Western Region Founders’ Day in Anchorage, AlaskaANCHORAGE, Alaska — February 2026 — Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® (AKA), the first historically African American sorority, is proudly commemorating its 118th Founders’ Day in Anchorage, Alaska, February 13–15, 2026. Hosted by the Far Western Region Xi Psi Omega Chapter, the historic celebration is themed “Everlasting Love: Celebrating 118 Years of Sisterhood in
Support Troop 220 After Trailer Theft
Hi, my name is Sam Giacalone, and I serve as the Scoutmaster for Troop 220. Last week, our troop experienced a heartbreaking setback: our troop trailer was stolen. Even with locks on the doors and tongue, inside that trailer was thousands of dollars' worth of essential camping and outdoor equipment—tents, cooking gear, patrol boxes, tools, and supplies that our Scouts rely on for campouts, training, and outdoor adventures year-round. Much of this equipment is not covered by insurance or will be reimbursed
Mayor LaFrance proposes new ordinance to support safety in Anchorage public spaces
Mayor Suzanne LaFranceMunicipality of AnchorageJanuary 14, 2026Mayor LaFrance proposes new ordinance to support safety in Anchorage public spacesToday, Mayor Suzanne LaFrance announced a new ordinance to help ensure Anchorage’s public spaces are safe and accessible for all residents. Assembly members Zac Johnson and Kameron Perez-Verdia are cosponsoring the measure alongside Mayor LaFrance.The proposal, which was introduced during Tuesday’s Assembly meeting, will allow law enforcement to address certain
U.S. Chamber of Commerce Awards the Anchorage Chamber with 5-Star Accreditation
ANCHORAGE, AK — The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has awarded the Anchorage Chamber of Commerce a 5-Star Accreditation for its sound policies, effective procedures, and positive community impact. Of the 7,500 chambers in the United States, 187 of these are Accredited. These elite chambers represent the top 3% of all chambers in the United States. “Chambers of commerce nationwide play a vital role in their communities every day,” said Raymond P. Towle, Vice President, Federation Relations and Coalition
