2nd Quarter 2011

2nd Quarter, 2011
AEDCconnections
The Newsletter Of
Anchorage Economic
Development
Corporation
WHAT’S INSIDE
page 1
50 Years Of Supplying
Southcentral Alaska
page 2
Letter From The President
page 3
kpb architects Marks 30
Years
page 4
New Kid On The Block?
Not Quite
page 5
Enstar Celebrates Its 50th
Anniversary
page 6
Birch Horton Bittner &
Cherot Celebrates 40 Years
Of Providing Legal Services
To Alaskans
page 7
25 Years Of Keeping
Anchorage Healthy
Diamond Investor Spotlight
50 Years Of Supplying
Southcentral Alaska
The Port of Alaska will be celebrating
its 50th anniversary this fall. Built in
1961, the Port of Anchorage was only
three years old when the 1964 Good
Friday Earthquake rocked Alaska leaving
it the only operational port in the south
central region. As the sole gateway
for waterborne supplies, the Port of
Anchorage quickly became Alaska’s
port establishing itself as a vibrant
and essential economic engine for the
state. Now, 50 years later, the Port of
Anchorage continues to provide critical
services to over 80 percent of Alaskans
through food, fuel, retail goods, cement,
and other essential supplies. With 90
percent of the merchandise goods for the
state (excluding Southeast) coming over
the dock, the Port of Anchorage is truly
Alaska’s lifeline.
an opportunity to welcome tourists from
Holland America’s ship, the ms Amsterdam,
as they spent a full day sightseeing and
shopping in our beautiful city. This summer
the ms Amsterdam will continue its visits,
spending every other Friday in Anchorage.
This year, between its anniversary and
the success of last summer’s cruise season
the Port has a lot to celebrate. They
are excited and proud to be the winner
of ACVB’s 2011 Member of the Year
award which recognizes the
Port’s effort in welcoming the
first major cruise lines to
make regular calls at the
Port of Anchorage. Last
summer, residents had
Looking ahead, the Port of Anchorage is
committed to continuing its exemplary
service in providing efficient, reliable
and affordable transportation options to
Alaskans. The Port of Anchorage is Alaska’s
Port, Alaska’s lifeline
and an important
key to Alaska’s
future.
In additional to consumer goods and
tourism, the Port also plays a vital role
for Alaska’s Armed Forces. Designated a
Department of Defense National Strategic
Seaport, the Port of Anchorage is only
one of 19 ports in the nation to hold
that distinction. Since 2005, the Port has
supported over 15 deployments, including
Stryker Brigade Deployments to the Middle
East and training grounds in the continental
US. The Port is proud of its strong relationship to the military and look forward to
serving them for another 50 years.
1
AEDC
ECONOMIC SNAPSHOT
Average Price of Single Family
Housing Units Sold, 4th Quarter
Letter From
The President
Although Anchorage weathered the “Great
Recession” well with only one year of minor
jobs loss after 20 consecutive years of growth,
many other states weren’t so luckily. As we
once again start to grow our economy, we can
be happy most Anchorage businesses weren’t
significantly affected and many, in fact, have
things to celebrate.
316,732
2008
2009
326,785
2010
According to the Alaska Multiple Listing
Service, the average price of residential
housing units sold in Anchorage in the
fourth quarter of 2010 was $326,785, an
increase of 3.2 percent from the fourth
quarter of 2009, and 4.6 percent more
than in the fourth quarter of 2008.
Number of Residential
Housing Units Sold, 4th Quarter
672
543
Whereas many well known “nameplate” businesses in the lower 48 were hard hit
and some even had to close their doors, Anchorage has many businesses thriving
and in fact celebrating anniversaries. These well established and successful
businesses are a testament to the perseverance and tenacity of Alaska business
owners as well as symptom of the great environment Anchorage and Alaska
provide in which to do business.
From the well established Port of Anchorage celebrating 50 years as the lifeblood of the Anchorage and Alaska economy, to the “not so new kid on the
block” Thompson & Co. Public Relations, successful Anchorage businesses come
in all sizes and disciplines.
With AEDC’s vision “By 2025, Anchorage is the #1 city in America to live, work
and play” it is only appropriate to underscore and recognize companies that help
to achieve that vision. With the Alaska Club celebrating 25 years in business,
Alaskans have definitely had an opportunity to play, while their quality of life has
been buoyed by the 50 years, yes 50 years, opera has been in Anchorage. And as
many of us know, the opportunities for meaningful, high paying and enjoyable
jobs are being provided by numerous companies in Anchorage including the
ones featured in this issue including kpb architects, ENSTAR, and Birch Horton
Bittner & Cherot.
AEDC is proud to recognize these companies and celebrate their
accomplishments. Not only does it show the residents of Southcentral Alaska
that Anchorage is a great place to do business, but highlights for the rest of the
country and the world the potential for long term business growth in Anchorage.
As we look to achieve our vision, these companies provide a great framework on
which to stand.
Bill Popp
President and CEO, AEDC
Why do you live here?
312,420
2008
2009
582
2010
According to the Alaska Multiple Listing
Service, in the fourth quarter of 2010,
582 housing units were sold in Anchorage,
13 percent less than in the fourth quarter
of 2009, but 7.2 percent more than in the
fourth quarter of 2008.
Gross Revenue from Lodging Room
Rentals (million), 4th Quarter
$35.3
2008
$33.0
$34.7
2009
2010
The Municipality of Anchorage Treasury
Division reports gross revenue from room
rentals totaled $34.7 million for the fourth
quarter of 2010, an increase of 4.9 percent
from the fourth quarter of 2009, and a
slight drop of 1.7 percent from the same
time period in 2008.
AIA Cargo Transit
(thousand pounds), 4th Quarter
822,635
2008
1,048,041
1,087,056
2009
2010
In the fourth quarter of 2010, more than
one billion pounds of cargo moved through
Anchorage International Airport, a 3.7
percent increase from the fourth quarter
of 2009, and 32 percent below the fourth
quarter of 2008.
Port of Anchorage Annual Tonnage
(short tons)
4,358,766
3,798,272
3,962,962
2009
2010
Why would you leave?
2008
Answer these questions at survey.AnchorageLiveWorkPlay.com
and help us make Anchorage the #1 Place to Live, Work and
Play by 2025.
According to the Port of Anchorage, the
total tonnage of freight moved in 2010
was four million short tons, an increase
of 4.3 percent from 2009, yet 9.1 percent
less than in 2008.
Economic data compiled by
2
kpb architects Marks 30 Years
Looking back on a
portfolio of notable
buildings and
memorable placemaking, kpb architects
enters 2011 celebrating
30 years of success
and a beckoning
future. With an
expanded leadership
and invigorated design
staff, this architectural,
landscape/site
planning and interior
design firm has
not succumbed to
national recessionary
trends. Through its
responsive, sustainable projects reflecting a progressive
design aesthetic, kpb architects has become indelibly
intertwined with Alaska and its largest city, Anchorage.
In 1981, Mark Pfeffer was an architect inspired
by the beauty of Alaska and its people; he began a
small architectural practice from home and used his
considerable energy to make his dreams a reality.
With Jeff Koonce, and soon afterward, Steve Bettis,
Koonce Pfeffer Bettis, Inc. grew into a skilled and
well-respected practice, where many of Alaska’s
talented designers got their start. This trio of architects
balanced work, play and life with vigor, motivating
others to do the same. Through respect for their
differences and encouragement of their strengths,
Koonce, Pfeffer and Bettis built a business serving a
variety of clientele, including commercial interests, the
Municipality of Anchorage, the Federal government,
Alaskan Native corporations, low-income and elder
housing, the healthcare/medical community, as well
as school districts throughout the state. Among their
projects, the Linny Pacillo Parking Garage, Eielson
Chapel, Alutiiq Center, Tyonek Terrace, Dena A Coy
Treatment Facility, and the BP Energy
Center have become landmarks for their
beauty and functionality.
carry on the firm’s mission as kpb architects. This
enabled Mark Pfeffer to further his personal growth
as an independent developer, and Jeff Koonce and
Steve Bettis to grow in a new direction with Principals
Michael A. Prozeralik, Ken Burkhart, Deanna
Wlad, Richard Reed, Tamás Deák, and Associates
Lauri Strauss and Leo McGlothlin. Mentoring a
staff of talented individuals (including 2011 Top 40
Under 40 recipient, Deanna Nafzger) and leading
projects at the newly-configured JBER (Joint Base
Elmendorf-Richardson), Fort Wainwright (Warrior in
Transition Complex), Southcentral Foundation (Valley
Native Primary Care Center), Lower Yukon School
District (Alakanuk K-12 Replacement School), the
Municipality (Loussac Place Multi-family Housing),
and the State of Alaska (Goose Creek Correctional
Center), kpb architects is striding confidently into its
next 30 years. With 32 people in Anchorage and two
architects in their recently opened Everett, Washington
office, kpb architects is positioned to continue their
legacy of design excellence in the built environment of
Alaska and the Pacific Northwest.
This diverse range of successful projects
attracted a number of youthful
practitioners, and allowed the founders
to pursue work that would reflect
their values and fulfill their promise of
“Shaping Tomorrow Today ™”. By
2007, the firm embraced “tomorrow”
by expanding the leadership to include
the next generation of principals to
3
AEDC
New Kid On The Block?
Not Quite.
Just because it recently
celebrated its second
anniversary, don’t mistake
Thompson & Co. Public
Relations for the new kid on
the block.
Thompson & Co.’s relatively
short history under its current
name and ownership belies
much deeper roots. President
and CEO Jennifer Thompson
and her husband and business
partner, Tim Thompson,
purchased the company in
2009, but it was established
20 years earlier. Founded by
Bonnie Bernholz and Roberta
Graham and formerly known
as Bernholz & Graham, the company has a long
history of serving clients in Alaska and across the
United States.
Today, Thompson & Co employs nine people in
Anchorage and two out of its office in New York
City. The staff is now twice as large as it was when
Thompson bought it in 2009, and has increased
client billings substantially in that time as well.
So how did Thompson & Co. manage such growth in
the midst of a sluggish economy?
There’s no single answer. Jennifer Thompson primarily
attributes it to the firm’s embrace of social media,
which burst into corporate consciousness as the latest
way to reach potential customers right around the
time she took the reins at the company. The staff is
composed of a bunch of textbook “early adopters”
who were using and experimenting with social media
early on, so they were poised to help Thompson &
Co. ride the new-media wave to company growth.
“Ultimately, a big part of our job is telling stories –
figuring out how to communicate our clients’ interests
and initiatives in compelling and relatable ways,”
Jennifer Thompson said. “That’s what social media is
all about, so it came fairly naturally to us.”
Today, Thompson & Co. maintains Facebook
and Twitter accounts for numerous clients and is
4
constantly researching the latest in social-media metrics
and strategy to help its clients reach customers and
improve their public perception.
Another factor is likely public relations’ competitive
advantage over advertising, she said. Compared to
advertising that can easily range into the tens of
thousands of dollars for even modest campaigns, public
relations can deliver a big bang for a lot less money. As
the economy turned, many companies were looking for
ways to generate awareness for less.
Despite the new opportunities presented by social
media, Thompson & Co. still considers media relations
to be the heart of its practice. Many staff members are
former journalists, and bring a thorough understanding
of how journalists view the world and what constitutes
a good story to their jobs.
“Working with clients to identify timely, relevant
stories and get them on the front page or on the
evening news is still what gets us out of bed every
morning,” Jennifer Thompson said.
In addition to media relations and social media
strategy, the agency offers special event planning, crisis
communications, writing and editing services, strategic
counsel, and issues management and advocacy.
EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS
Appointed by the Board
ENSTAR Celebrates
Its 50th Anniversary
ENSTAR Natural Gas Company was founded in 1961, making it one of the oldest
energy companies operating in Alaska. ENSTAR headquarters are in Anchorage,
with additional offices in Soldotna and Wasilla. The history of ENSTAR is closely
aligned with the history of Alaska since statehood. Over those years, ENSTAR has
grown with the 49th state, supplying the energy which has helped communities
grow and prosper, thereby improving the quality of life in South-central Alaska.
ENSTAR’s residential and commercial rates have remained among the lowest in
the United States while gas usage per-residential-customer is the highest among
investor-owned utilities due to the extremes Alaska experiences during winter
heating months. In recent years, however, the Cook Inlet has rapidly moved from a
market of excess deliverability and supply to an environment where both may not
always meet demand. On behalf of its consumers, ENSTAR has taken a leadership
role in seeking new sources of long-term natural gas supplies and its parent
company, SEMCO Energy, Inc. has teamed up with MidAmerican Energy Holdings
Company to form Cook Inlet Natural Gas Storage Alaska (CINGSA). CINGSA
was formed to address some of the deliverability concerns in Southcentral Alaska
by investing $180 million of capital into a new commercial storage project. This
project will allow ENSTAR and other utilities in Southcentral Alaska to purchase
gas in summer months for use during peak periods in winter months. Additionally,
the Company continues to support the efforts of the Alaska Gasline Development
Corporation (AGDC) as they work to deliver a comprehensive in-state natural gas
pipeline project plan to the Alaska Legislature.
ENSTAR believes these investments will encourage transformation in current Cook
Inlet market conditions as well as improve our ability to better serve our current
customers and perhaps new communities throughout Alaska.
ENSTAR Natural Gas serves approximately 354,000 Alaskans through 131,000
meters. In 2010, ENSTAR added more than 1,200 new customers to our gas
distribution system. It operates more than 2,800 miles of distribution line
throughout South-central Alaska and 410 miles of high pressure transmission line
through our sister company, Alaska Pipeline Company (APC).
Alaskans have relied on ENSTAR to provide energy to their homes and businesses
for a half century. An executive team, with more than 140 years of utility experience,
manages ENSTAR
locally. Their
employees deliver
safe, dependable,
and reliable service
to our customers
365 days a year
and are committed
to continuing that
tradition.
Bill Evans
Chair, Anchorage Chamber
of Commerce
Brian Nerland
District President, KeyBank Alaska
Carol Comeau
Superintendent,
Anchorage School District
Chris Anderson
Deputy Director – Credit & Business
Development, AIDEA
Chris Schutte
Executive Director
Anchorage Dowtown Partnership
John Parrott
Airport Manager, Ted Stevens
Anchorage International Airport
Dr. Don Bantz
President, Alaska Pacific University
Elisha Baker
Dean, College of Business and
Public Policy, UAA
George Vakalis
Board Member, AWWU
Jim Posey
General Manager, ML&P
Julie Saupe
President & CEO, Anchorage
Convention & Visitor’s Bureau
Larry Cash
President, RIM Architects
Mary K. Hughes
Past Board Chair, AEDC
Susie Gorski
Executive Director,
Chugiak-Eagle River
Chamber of Commerce
Tennys Owens
President, Artique, Ltd.
Wanetta Ayers
Deputy Commissioner,
State of Alaska Office of
Economic Development
William Dann
CEO, Professional Growth Systems
LEGISLATORS
Craig Johnson
Representative,
Alaska State Legislature
Lindsey Holmes
Representative,
Alaska State Legislature
Johnny Ellis
Senator,
Alaska State Legislature
Lesil McGuire
Senator,
Alaska State Legislature
MUNICIPALITY
Mayor Dan Sullivan
Municipality of Anchorage
Bill Starr
Assembly Member,
Municipality of Anchorage
Ernie Hall
Assembly Member,
Municipality of Anchorage
5
AEDC
2011 Board of Directors
Voting Members
Anand Vadapalli
Chief Operating Officer,
Alaska Communications
Bill O’Leary
Vice President of Finance & CFO,
Alaska Railroad
Bob Heinrich
VP, Finance, ConocoPhillips
Bruce Bustamante
Vice President of Community and Public
Affairs, Princess Tours
Bruce Lamoureux
Chief Operating Officer,
Providence Alaska Medical Center
Chris Brown, Chair
Director of Business Planning,
AT & T Alaska
Chris Stephens
Associate Broker,
Bond, Stephens & Johnson, Inc.
Claire Fitzpatrick
Vice President & CFO,
BP Exploration Alaska, Inc.
Connie Carter
Managing Director for Alaska Operations,
FedEx Express
Dale Pittman
Alaska Production Manager,
ExxonMobil Corporation
David Hamilton
Sr. VP Business & Commercial Lending,
AK USA Federal Credit Union
Dennis Mitchell
Vice President - Alaska,
Lynden International
Ed Herndon
CEO, Chugach Alaska Corporation
Greg Kessler
Director of the Alaska Commercial Group,
Totem Ocean Trailer Express
Greg Pearce, Vice-Chair
VP & GM,
Commercial Services, GCI
Joseph Everhart, Secretary/Treasurer
Sr. VP of Alaska Commercial Banking,
Wells Fargo Bank N.A.
Lon Wilson, Immediate Past Chair
President,
The Wilson Agency, LLC
Lynn Henderson
Director of Sales, Alaska Market,
Premera Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alaska
Mark Liland
Director of Sales, Northern Air Cargo
Michael Martin
Vice President,
First National Bank Alaska
Michael Prozeralik
President, kpb architects
Mike Devlin
Founder, Evergreen Films, Inc.
Pat Walsh
President & CEO,
Walsh Sheppard
Scott Hansen
Business Manager,
Carpenters Local 1281
Sophie Minich
Chief Operating Officer, CIRI
Stewart Osgood
President, DOWL HKM
Suzanne Cherot
Shareholder & Attorney,
Birch Horton Bittner & Cherot
Terry Bailey
VP Business Development
Energy & Chemicals, CH2M HILL
Timothy Vig
President, USKH
Vacant
Continental Airlines
6
Birch Horton Bittner &
Cherot Celebrates
40 Years Of Providing Legal Services To Alaska
This year Birch Horton Bittner & Cherot (BHBC) is celebrating 40 years of
providing legal services to Alaskans. In 1971, founder Ronald Birch started the
firm as a two-person small general law practice. The firm has grown, expanded, and
matured along with the State of Alaska. Today the firm is one of Alaska’s largest and
most prestigious law firms, with several specialized practice areas.
The firm has a highly experienced transactional group that represents corporations
and individuals in business and commercial transactions, real estate, public finance,
municipal law, telecommunications, and natural resources, and the financing of
such transactions. The firm’s litigation department has obtained impressive results
in complex contract, tort, and construction litigation.
Six of their Anchorage attorneys have been selected as leading U.S. business lawyers
by the independent legal research firm Chambers & Partners USA; three have been
ranked in the top tier in Alaska in their fields of expertise.
The firm’s attorneys participated in many important events in Alaska’s history. Two
of the firm’s senior members (then in key government positions) helped draft and
implement the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) and the Alaska
National Interest Lands Conservation Act (ANILCA). The firm possesses in-depth
knowledge and experience representing Alaska Native Corporations, Indian housing
authorities, and Native nonprofit health corporations on issues unique to ANCSA
and other relevant federal and state laws, including the SBA 8(a) program. BHBC
assists private entities interested in working cooperatively with Alaska Native
Corporations on important projects around Alaska and in the continental U.S.
During the 1970s, BHBC represented parties constructing the TransAlaska pipeline.
Currently, the firm represents the Alaska Gasline Development Corporation in its efforts
to build the Alaska Stand-Alone Gas Pipeline to provide a long-term, stable supply
of natural gas to Alaska, the west coast of the U.S., and other Pacific Rim markets.
In addition to the firm’s Anchorage office, the firm has represented Alaskan interests
in its Washington, D.C. office since 1975. The D.C. office draws clients nationwide
and continues to promote Alaskan interests by interfacing with the Alaska Congressional delegation, other Congressional leaders, and numerous governmental agencies.
Birch Horton’s attorneys have played a role in representation for clients constructing
hotels, medical buildings, residential subdivisions, and low income housing projects
across Anchorage.
The firm’s attorneys are active in supporting Anchorage by serving on the boards
of the Anchorage Economic Development Corporation, the Alaska Center for the
Performing Arts, the Anchorage Park Foundation, the Military Civilian Advisory
Board, municipal commissions, and various non-profit corporations.
Bill Bittner, the firm’s Managing Shareholder, states on behalf of the entire firm,
“Our commitment to Alaska and to the needs of its people is reflected in our
consistent success on behalf of clients large and small. We will continue this
tradition as we serve the legal needs of Alaskans through the 21st Century.”
AEDC
DIAMOND INVESTORS
25 Years Of Keeping
Anchorage Healthy
Formerly owned and operated as the
Teamster Recreation Center, The Alaska
Club opened its doors on February 11,
1986. After refurbishing the club and
adding an indoor track, “aerobics” rooms,
cardiovascular equipment, tanning,
racquet ball courts and a café, the vision
for a full-scale fitness offering in Alaska
was set in motion.
Three years later, The Anchorage Racquet
Club was purchased on Bragaw followed
by the purchase of The Fairbanks Athletic
Club in 1995. In 1997, The Alaska Club
Network was formed with an expansion
plan to offer fitness to families and
individuals throughout Alaska. Today,
The Alaska Club operates 18 locations
in Anchorage, Eagle River, Fairbanks,
Juneau, Palmer and Wasilla.
For 25 years, The Alaska Club has
provided variety, convenience and a
comfortable, welcoming environment.
The Alaska Club caters to all Alaskans
with five categories of clubs; family/
multipurpose, fitness, express, women’s
only and a luxury club. Facilities feature
pools, racquetball and tennis programs, a
wide range of classes and amenities as well
as personal training consultation, health
and nutrition education and corporate
wellness programs. The Alaska Club
invests in state-of-the-art equipment and
frequently updates its offerings with the
latest industry technologies and services.
As Alaskan communities grow, The Alaska
Club expands its services to meet the
changing needs of its members.
The Alaska Club is a proud supporter of
each of the communities that it serves.
From partnerships with the American
Heart Association and the Boys and
Girls Club to event sponsorships like
the Clean Air Challenge and the Alaska
Run for Women, The Alaska Club has
built a legacy of supporting hundreds of
nonprofit organizations throughout the
state. The Alaska Club is the recipient of
the Anchorage Chamber of Commerce
Gold Pan Award and the Better Business
Bureau Business of the Year Torch Award
for Community Involvement.
7
INVESTORS
PRSRT STD
US Postage
PAID
WELCOME To our
Anchorage, AK
Permit #882
new investorS:
Cloud49
Crystal Glacier Water
NANA Development Corporation
Pedro Bay Corporation
510 L Street, Suite 603
Anchorage, AK 99501
THANK YOU TO OUR
Renewing investors:
3M
Adams & Associates
Alaska Aerospace
Alaska Communications
Alaska Growth Capital
Alaska Heart Institute
Alaska Sales and Service
Alaska USA Federal Credit Union
Aleut Corporation
Alyeska Resort
Anchorage Community
Development Authority
Anchorage Convention &
Visitors Bureau
Anchorage Downtown Partnership
Anchorage Museum
BiNW
Birch, Horton, Bittner & Cherot
Bond, Stephens & Johnson, Inc.
Bristol Bay Native Corporation
Chugach Alaska Corporation
CIRI
Clear Channel Radio
Coffman Engineers, Inc.
Commodity Forwarders, Inc.
Davis Constructors & Engineers, Inc.
Denali Alaskan Federal Credit Union
Eklutna, Inc.
ENSTAR Natural Gas Company
Evergreen Films, LLC
Excel Construction
FedEx
Frampton & Opinsky, LLC
GCI
HDR Engineering, Inc.
Holmes Weddle & Barcott
Horizon Lines, LLC
Hot Wire Electric, Inc.
Hotel Captain Cook
Hughes, Gorski, Seedorf, Odesen
& Tervoore
IMEX, Ltd.
International Union of
Operating Engineers
Ken Brady Construction Company
KTUU Channel 2
Linford of Alaska, Inc.
Marsh USA
Matanuska Susitna Borough
Matanuska Valley Federal Credit Union
McDowell Group, Inc.
MEA
MSI Communications, Inc.
MTA
Nerland Agency
Northern Air Cargo
Northern Economics, Inc.
Pacific Tower Properties, Inc.
Parker, Smith & Feek, Inc.
Pebble Partnership
Pfeffer Development
Rise Alaska, LLC
Southcentral Alaska Council of
Building & Construction Trade Unions
Totem Ocean Trailer Express, Inc.
URS Corporation
US Travel
Walsh Sheppard
8
(907) 258-3700
www.AEDCweb.com
“The Golden Age –
The Encore”
Anchorage Opera’s 50th Season!
A fiftieth anniversary is a remarkable
accomplishment for any opera
company, especially one in Alaska.
So much is owed to those visionary
young Alaskans who, during the
early 1960s, built the company to
produce grand entertainment for
the citizens of Anchorage. Admired
across the nation as one of the most
vibrant regional opera companies in
America, Anchorage Opera (AO)
arrives at its 50 year milestone with
a deep appreciation for the journey
through the past combined with
an effervescent enthusiasm for the
future. AO’s golden season has
something for everyone, three bold
new productions!
The season begins with the Alaskan
and Pacific Northwest premiere of
Ricky Ian Gordon’s The Grapes of
Wrath. Called “the great American
opera” by Musical America, the
work incorporates American popular
musical styles of the ‘20s and ‘30s,
such as song-and-dance, magnificent
love songs, ballads with banjos, jazz
choruses, and a barbershop quartet.
The centerpiece of the season is the
Alaskan premiere of Shakespeare’s
infamous tale of the doomed
Scottish general Macbeth. Set to
grand operatic music by one of
the greatest theatrically-inclined
composers of all time, Giuseppe
Verdi, AO’s fully-staged elegantly
classical production of this bonechilling drama will leave Alaskans
filled with awe!
The grand finale of the season will
be an exquisite mounting of Rodgers
and Hammerstein’s, The Sound
of Music, first produced by AO in
1965. A timeless piece of eternal
hope, this classic love story continues
to enchant audiences worldwide.
AEDC STAFF
Bill Popp
President & CEO
Ryan Makinster
Communications
Director
Jon Bittner
Business & Economic
Development Director
Amy Culhane
Business & Economic
Development Assistant
Director
Dana Applebee
Development
Coordinator
Meaghan Gould
Administrative Assistant
AEDC is a private nonprofit
corporation (IRS code 501(c)(6)),
operating since 1987. It exists to
encourage growth and diversity in
the Anchorage economy, promote
a favorable business climate and
improve the standard of living of
Anchorage residents. Funding
sources for the corporation are
municipal and state grants, contracts, and private contributions.
For permission to reproduce any
part of this newsletter, please call
(907) 258-3700.