2019 Alaska Young Professionals Summit
This year’s theme is “LEVEL UP: Learn, Grow, Inspire”
Former US Senator Mark Begich, and President/CEO of Northern Compass Group, leading a workshop on strategies for success at the 2017 Alaska Young Professionals Summit.
Pal Photography
ANCHORAGE – The Anchorage Chamber of Commerce’s Young Professionals Group (YPG) hosts the fourth annual Alaska Young Professionals Summit on March 29-30, 2019 at the Dena’ina Civic & Convention Center. This growing group is preparing for another successful statewide Summit to develop Alaska’s workforce and prepare, motivate, and inspire them to be better, more productive leaders and employees in their communities.
The two-day summit will host immersive workshops and compelling seminars presented by successful and experienced government, business, and community leaders, and other experts in their field. Programs and events are geared towards all levels of employees and executives, and welcomes professionals of all industries.
The group is excited to welcome the 2019 keynote speaker, Richard Montañez, Vice President of Multicultural Sales & Community Promotions across PepsiCo’s North American divisions. Richard started his PepsiCo career at Frito-Lay in 1976 as a janitor in its Rancho Cucamonga plant. He is recognized as the creator of the Flamin’ Hot line of products including Flamin’ Hot Cheetos, which influenced future ethnic products and the first Frito-Lay Hispanic marketing team. In addition, Richard helped influence Hispanic products and marketing promotions for KFC and Taco Bell.
Speakers include, but are not limited to: Jodie Hettrick, Fire Chief, Anchorage Fire Dept.; Diane Kaplan, Rasmuson Foundation; US Senator Lisa Murkowski; Mark Begich, CEO, Northern Compass Group and Former U.S. Senator; Jennifer Thompson, CEO, Thompson & Co.; Laurie Wolf, CEO, The Foraker Group; Jason Metrokin, CEO, Bristol Bay Native Corporation; and Sheldon Fisher, Former Alaska Commissioner of Revenue; Former Trustee, Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation.
Sessions include, but are not limited to: “Flippin a Biz” – Buying and Selling; “This Rounds on Me!” – Craft Brewing Panel; “Negotiations in the Six Figures and Up”; “Oopsisms”; and “Business Behind the Band.” For a list of additional sessions and speakers, visit bit.ly/AKYPGsummitTIX.
This year’s Summit award finalists for Alaska Young Professional of the Year are: Corey Hester, Executive Director, Alaska Airmen Association; Stephanie Plieness, Senior Account Manager, Thompson & Co.; and Calvin Schrage, Executive Director, Frontier Tutoring
Finalists for the Alaska Entrepreneur of the Year are: Randee Johnson, President, SafeLogic Alaska, LLC; Amber McDonald, Co-Founder/CEO, Indemnis; and Pamela Parker, Owner, Everything Bagels.
Award winners will be announced at the keynote dinner on Saturday evening of the Summit, March 30, 2019.
To register for the 2019 Summit, visit bit.ly/AKYPGsummitTIX.
Video courtesy of ACC Young Professionals Group
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Architecture & Engineering + Interior
February 2025
In our February 2025 issue, we highlight how architecture and engineering improve every facet of our daily lives, from increasing the availability and affordability of housing to building small businesses and improving community safety. Projects like these are helmed by Alaska’s exceptional professionals, including the 2024 Anchorage Engineer of the Year Nominees. In the Interior, Red Dog Mine and the Fountainhead Antique Auto Museum are both making big moves. Enjoy!