Vol. 2, No. 13 • October 09, 2007
Position!
Helvi Sandvik
NDC President
To remind the players to stay in their assigned places, my son’s soccer coach yells, “Position!” Chasing after every stray ball is counter productive if there’s a player who is in a better place to handle it, the coach explains later when they are off the field. And the most efficient way to score is to be in the right place when a scoring opportunity presents itself. Ultimately, it’s what separates the winners from the losers.
In 2007, NANA companies were all in position, as is reflected in our bottom line. And, as is the case with my son’s soccer team, each victory reflects the teamwork that comes from the contributions of the individual players. Looking back on this year, here are a few examples of how NANA positioned itself to end its season victorious.
- Historically, Alaska business is cyclical, witnessed by remarkable ups and downs. Investing in business outside of Alaska several years ago positioned NANA to be ready for opportunities in the government and commercial sectors in the Lower 48 states. We saw the benefits of that move in 2005-2006 when downturns in Alaska’s business climate were offset by the bulk of our profits coming from these new businesses. This year, despite challenges to the outside business climate, these newer investments continued to deliver positive results, with all indicators pointing to a momentum continuing in this direction.
- NANA is becoming synonymous with engineering as our engineering companies strengthen operations and open offices in new locations across the country. As we ride this expansion, all efforts are being made to hire and promote from within to fill additional positions.
- In Anchorage, despite the competition for tourists and business travelers that continues to increase exponentially, our hotel investments continue to profit and hold our attention. With a well-established place in the market, we continue to think of new ways to grow this part of NANA’s business portfolio. Our long-standing position in the oil industry was only strengthened when NANA built a new Residence Inn located in Anchorage. Shortly after the first guests checked in, BP announced it would acquire what was then ARCO. Our Residence Inn opened its doors with close to 100% occupancy. In 2007, our hotels have hung onto their customers despite all of the new hotels that have been built in the past few years.
- This year we have also greatly benefited from those Alaska companies that serve clients on the North Slope. Alaska business units specializing in servicing the oil industry were in a prime position to help the oil industry as it worked to maintain and repair the 800-mile Trans Alaska Pipeline System. NANA Management Services, NANA/Colt and NANA Oilfield Services, Inc. (NOSI) each had record-breaking years.
NANA announces 2007 dividend
It’s official! The NANA Board of Directors announced last week that $20.4 million will be distributed to 11,400 NANA shareholders marking a $15 per-share payout, the highest in the corporation’s history. In the past, shareholders reported spending dividends on snow machines and outboard boat motors. This year, a clear sign of the times, there is talk of instead using the extra money to help pay for fuel.
TKC Tech to the IT rescue
Effective October 1, TKC Technology Solutions assumed responsibility of all IT support for NANA Development Corporation, NANA Pacific, and Akmaaq. This is one in a series of steps toward increasing NANA’s efforts to bring efficiencies into our organization and to take advantage of the capabilities of our companies. The new contract for TKC Tech will eventually expand to include the IT needs of other NANA companies and several NANA IT employees will become TKC Tech staff.
DOWL acquires engineering firm
Peter Hildre
William Pence
DOWL Engineers last month announced the acquisition of Toner-Nordling & Associates, a Juneau land surveying and civil engineering firm and the oldest continuously operating firm of its type in Alaska. The 15-person multi-disciplined firm specializes in civil engineering, land surveying, contract administration and inspection services. Principals Peter Hildre, P.E. and William T. Pence, PLS, have been with the firm for more than 20 years. The company will continue to operate in Juneau as Toner-Nordling and will be a division of DOWL.
Inupiaq language CD available
As part of its efforts to preserve the Inupiaq language and culture, the NANA Inuunialiqput Department has produced the Level 1 Coastal Inupiaq Language CD, which has received coverage in media nationwide including Travel & Leisure Magazine, Alaska Magazine, and National Public Radio. Cost is $200 or $195 for Kotzebue, Alaska, residents and includes shipping and handling. CDs can be ordered by sending a check, money order or cash to NANA Regional Corporation, PO Box 49, Kotzebue, AK 99752, Attention: Leland Barger, Sr., NANA Inuunialiqput Director. In the memo section of the check, write Level 1 Coastal Inupiaq Language CD. All proceeds from sales go toward funding reproduction costs for the language tutorial.
IT Tips
Moving paragraphs
Need to swap the second and third paragraphs in a document? Instead of using the mouse to drag text around, just click on the paragraph you want to move, hold down the shift-alt keys, and move the paragraph up or down using the arrow keys. Each press of an arrow key causes the selected paragraph to jump over one adjacent paragraph.
Drawing lines
To create a line that extends across the page of your Word or Outlook document, type three consecutive hyphens and press enter to get a solid line. Type three underscores and press enter and the result is a bold line. If you type three equal signs and press enter, a double line will appear.