Don’t Take My Word for It

By Janis Plume Senior Account Manager

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about the importance of my work in my life. Throughout my career, I have been able to work for the best companies, and Alaska Business is at the top of my list. I also work for my clients, and I have the good fortune to work with the best advertisers in Alaska. One of the most rewarding aspects of my work is when advertisers share positive feedback with me. Recently a couple of my clients shared their thoughts about the value they find in working with Alaska Business.

“Alaska Business magazine has proven to be an ongoing conduit for MT Housing to seek the attention of clients and potential clients in the Alaskan marketplace. Every time our advertisements are viewed in the publications, we have an opportunity to potentially build another facility that will benefit an Alaskan client, whether they reach out to us because of the advertisement or later because of the familiarity that was built through the consistent presence through the pages of your magazine.

Thank you for your constant support and efforts to guide us through advertising in the Alaska Business family of publications over the years and your personal efforts to get to know us better so that our investments with you are pinpointed and prioritized to be the most effective.”

Stacy Stoltenow,Vice President, MT Housing Inc.

“Reviewing each issue of Alaska Business magazine provides a market scan. I review new issues to get a sense of who might be expanding and seeking new talent. When I work with transitioning military personnel, I ask what industry they want to call home when they get a non-military role. In addition to the regular monthly issues, the Power List is a perfect tool for them to learn the major players in each industry.

Thank you and your organization— we provided the 2023 Power List to 2530 attendees and speakers at the 2023 Career Management Workshop. I wish you could have seen the expressions of ‘wow’ on some attendees’ faces! We have military, students, and other community members in the crowd, and that was the target audience we (the WBU SHRM #5583 student leadership group) had hoped to attract.”

Dr. Mary Rydesky, CEO, Transition Management Consulting

If you need to advertise your business and would like to build a positive working relationship with me, drop me a note. I will promise to give you my best. It’s what I strive to do.

Janis Plume 907-257-2917 janis@akbizmag.com

The men were quickly caught and charged for the incident. Mickel met with the community, who wrote letters, signed a petition in support of the credit union, and spoke at a public meeting, asking Tongass FCU to stay.

Tongass FCU’s board agreed to continue operating in Hydaburg. Security was heightened, yet the upset seemed to cement the community’s loyalty, and the credit union in return appreciated the outpouring of support.

Having bank access and then losing it was an eye-opener to its value to Hydaburg.

“Imagine not being able to go to a bank or even a cash machine in your community,” says Lisa Ka’illjuus Lang.

From Hydaburg, Ka’illjuus is a member of the Sealaska Corporation board of directors and serves as the elected Chief Justice for the Supreme Court, Tlingit and Haida Central Council Indian Tribes of Alaska court system. She is also executive director of the Xaadas Kil Kuyaas Foundation, a Haida nonprofit promoting culture and language.

Economic development in her hometown—and the hometown of her mother and grandmother—is important to her, she says, and she has been an ardent supporter of Tongass FCU since talks of opening the community site in Hydaburg began.

“Before, we would have to drive to the Klawock branch—almost 100 miles round trip—to put a check in the bank,” Ka’illjuus says. “It’s a long trip, especially if you do not have a car. There’s bus transportation, but you’re limited.”

Having a teller station in Hydaburg for three days a week is a game-changer, she says. And the fact that Tongass FCU hires locally, providing Hydaburg residents with help from people they know, helps immensely.

“The community is so appreciative,” Ka’illjuus says. “I’m more than happy to stand up for Tongass. They make you feel like it’s a caring bunch. There really is no measure for how important that is.”

Stronger Together

Tongass FCU recently expanded its membership when it merged with ALPS Federal Credit Union in February.

Combined, the two credit unions have 13,163 members, eight branches (Ketchikan, Sitka, Petersburg, Metlakatla, Klawock, Wrangell, Haines, and Juneau) and four microsites (Hoonah, Hydaburg, Kake, and Thorne Bay).

Both credit unions opened in Southeast and specialized in responsive local service. ALPS was started in 1960 by employees of Alaska Lumber and Pulp because banks at the time were charging enormous loan rates, making borrowing difficult for young families in the Sitka area. Tongass FCU started in 1963 by a group of Ketchikan teachers and public workers whose financial needs were not being met by local banks.

Their similar roots and shared commitment made the merger a natural move, with “Southeast Strong” being shared as the guiding principle.

“We are so pleased to be combining two credit unions with rich histories serving Southeast Alaska since the early ‘60s. Together we are truly stronger. Our expanded resources will continue to enable our members to achieve their financial goals through the friendly, affordable, and convenient services they have come to expect from their local community credit unions,” Mickel says.

ALPS President and CEO Sandi Riggs says the partnership will afford members better service all the way around. “Combining the talented staff at our two credit unions will improve our service to all members and solidify our commitment to providing financial services and support to the membership. We are excited to see what we can accomplish together as we move forward,” she says.

The transition is expected to be complete by the end of July. When that wraps up, Mickel says, Tongass FCU will consider expanding to other sites. On the list of places to consider are Yakutat and Angoon.

“The merger has really added value to our community microsites. The added offices in Sitka and Petersburg provide important access to all our members needing local financial services. Our combined credit union serves twelve communities in the Tongass National Forest,” Mickel says. “We are proud to be ‘Southeast Strong’.”