Alaska Business Hall of Fame Names 2026 Laureates

In advance of the induction ceremony next January, Junior Achievement (JA) of Alaska announced five laureates being honored by the Alaska Business Hall of Fame. The class of 2026 includes two housing executives, two builders, and two Delta CEOs.

Delta Constructors CEO Ed Gohr and Delta Leasing CEO Rudi von Imhof (no relation) are being honored, as is Meg Nordale, president of Fairbanks general contractor GHEMM Company. The class also includes the retired CEO and president of Cook Inlet Housing Authority, Carol Gore, and one non-Alaskan: Dean Weidner, the Seattle-based magnate who owns 4,000 housing units in Anchorage.

Lauding Professionals, Supporting Students

The induction ceremony will also present awards for JA Volunteer and Educator of the Year for 2026. The volunteer being recognized is Carl Propes, president of the Scan Home furniture store in Anchorage and a longtime JA booster. The educator honor goes to Cindy Trawicki, the family and consumer science teacher at Mears Middle School in Anchorage.

“For more than 100 years, volunteers and educators have partnered with JA to empower the next generation’s success, and promote economic mobility,” says Flora Teo, JA of Alaska president. “We have amazing heroes in our schools. JA is grateful for the opportunity to recognize these individuals for their contributions that at the end of the day, make a huge difference for our youth.”