Bulletin 5/20/12

SBA names Alaskan Prime Contractor of the Year

Coldfoot Environmental Services Inc. has been selected as the U.S. Small Business Administration’s 2012 Region 10 Prime Contractor of the Year. The selection places Coldfoot in consideration for the prestigious SBA National Prime Contractor of the Year Award to be announced during National Small Business Week. The Anchorage-based business was nominated by Lucretia Teitzel from the 673rd Contracting Squadron Joint Base Elmendorf and Fort Richardson. Coldfoot Environmental Services, Inc. is a minority, 8(a), service-disabled veteran-owned small business specializing in environmental, construction, renovation and demolition work. It has been providing goods and services to the U.S. Air Force for over 11 years.

New Alaska Airlines aircraft offering more legroom

Alaska Airlines and Recaro Aircraft Seating are launching an innovative main cabin seat that provides more legroom for air travelers. The award-winning seat will be installed on all of Alaska Airlines’ 22 new Boeing 737-900ERs scheduled for delivery in fall 2012 through 2014. Alaska Airlines’ version of Recaro’s seat includes custom enhanced-comfort cushions, a six-way adjustable headrest and the carrier’s standard three inches of recline. The lighter seat will save an estimated 8,000 gallons of fuel annually per aircraft. Alaska’s first class cabin on its 737-900ERs will feature a different premium Recaro seat with five inches of recline, an articulating seat bottom and a six-way adjustable headrest. The Germany-based manufacturer’s BL3520 seat model won Europe’s 2011 Crystal Cabin Award and the 2012 red dot design award.

United Way of Anchorage receives two international recognitions

The United Way of Anchorage was recently recognized by two international organizations for effectiveness in creating community-wide change in education, and for efficiency, accountability, and transparency. United Way Worldwide recognized the United Way of Anchorage as a finalist for the inaugural United Way Common Good Awards at the United Way Community Leaders Conference in Nashville, Tenn. It scored in the top tier of candidates spanning more than 11 countries. United Way of Anchorage also received its third consecutive 4-star rating for sound fiscal management from Charity Navigator. The designation is based on strong financial health, accountability and transparency. United Way of Anchorage is one of only four charities in Alaska to receive the 4-star rating and the only one to receive three consecutive 4-star ratings.

Koniag acquires Michigan IT company

Koniag Development Corp. has finalized its purchase of Open Systems Technologies, an information technology services company based in Grand Rapids, Mich. Founded in 1997, OST offers data hosting, application development and other IT services to clients in the healthcare, manufacturing, distribution, finance and insurance industries. It specializes in enterprise technology services through storing and managing data. The company has 100 full-time employees and 50 full-time contractors and operates satellite offices in Minneapolis, Minn., and Ann Arbor, Mich. Its client roster includes Boeing, NASA, Pfizer, Target, U.S. Bank, John Deere and Amway.

ASSE chapter honored

The American Society of Safety Engineers has recognized Alaska’s Midnight Sun Chapter with the prestigious Small Chapter of the Year Award in recognition of its efforts to promote workplace safety, professional development, communication and service to safety, health and environmental professionals and ASSE members. The chapter was a co-winner with Region VII’s Kitty Hawk Chapter in Ohio. Since 1991, the Midnight Sun Chapter has hosted an annual Professional Development Conference. It’s also partnered with the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Alaska General Contractors and the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary to advocate for safety both on the job and in the community. The Midnight Sun Chapter, which is part of ASSE’s Region I, was established as a formal ASSE chapter in 1996. It represents North Pole and Fairbanks. With 58 members, it’s one of ASSE’s five smallest chapters.