The Anchorage Board or Realtors has named Helen Jarratt of RE/MAX Properties its the Realtor of the Year. Jason Baer of Stewart Title Co. was named Realtor Affiliate of the year. Others honored at the Realtor's holiday ball held earlier this month were: Volunteer of the year in the real estate industry - Julie Pace of Pace Real Estate, and Charlie Sandberg of Next Home Real Estate; Most likely to succeed - Michael Moandal of Prudential Jack White Vista Real Estate; Best presentation of offer - Jill Holting of Dynamic Properties; Whew! award - Bert Dozark of RE/MAX Properties; Best Advertising campaign - Pat Baker of Northern Trust Real Estate; Most promising rookie - Ryan Tollifsen of Prudential Jack White Vista Real Estate; Most embarrassing moment - Viki Kaas of Homes Unlimited; Out of Alaska award - Fawn Lawrence of Prudential Jack White Vista Real Estate; Community volunteer of the year - Eva Loken of Prudential Jack White Vista Eagle River; Most congenial transaction - Sallie Nickerson of Prudential Jack White Vista Real Estate; Assistant of the year - Sabra Boehmer of Northern Trust Real Estate; Easiest to contact - Chris Wilson of Northern Trust Real Estate.

Alaska Stock Images, the largest photographic stock agency in Alaska, announced the advancement of Laurie Campbell to sales manager and marketing director. Campbell brings extensive knowledge to the company from her 16-year background as a photographer, designer, marketing consultant and account executive. She will lead the Alaska Stock sales team and be responsible for growing the company's marketing efforts, international, national and regional sales while maintaining the highest level of customer support. Campbell, who has been with Alaska Stock Images for three years as an account executive, enjoys inspiring Alaska Stock's photographers by keeping them apprised of what clients around the world are seeking. Founded by Iditarod photographer Jeff Schultz, Alaska Stock has filled a niche for Alaska-themed stock images for more than 15 years with multiple national and international partner agencies. Alaska Stock offers more than 300,000 rights-managed and royalty-free images of adventure, wildlife, nature, holiday, summer and winter lifestyles plus a fully searchable Web site where images can be priced and downloaded instantly.

Landye Bennett Blumstein LLP has announced that Joshua D. Hodes recently joined the law firm as an associate. He is focusing his practice on corporate, business and commercial transactions, real estate, Alaska Native law; and debtor-creditor law. Hodes received his bachelor's degree from Wesleyan University in Connecticut in 2000 and graduated cum laude from Lewis & Clark Law School in Portland, Ore., in 2005. While in law school, he clerked for the Bonneville Power Administration in Portland and Margaret Madison Phelan, an elder law attorney, in Vancouver, Wash. Founded in 1955, Landye Bennett Blumstein LLP provides legal services for individuals and businesses in Alaska, Oregon and Washington. The firm emphasizes real estate, Alaska Native law, environmental law, mergers and acquisitions, corporate business and tax law, high technology, intellectual property, municipal law, litigation, administrative law, and tax and estate planning.

Alaska USA Federal Credit Union has announced Natalie Slaymaker as its 2005 Employee of the Year. Slaymaker began her Alaska USA career in 2001 as a receptionist in the Special Credits department. Since then, her self-motivation, desire to learn and enthusiastic attitude has led her to roles of greater responsibility. She was recently promoted to enforcement officer with responsibilities in the areas of small claims, bankruptcy overview and civil court cases. Slaymaker commented that she takes great pride in her work and wants to understand the credit union "from A to Z." She emphasized that she is particularly impressed with the positive way the credit union treats its members and notes that it treats employees the same way. Alaska USA also named John Combs as its 2005 Manager of the Year. In his role as Alaska USA's facilities and administrative services manager over the last nine years, he has been responsible for coordinating more than 30 branch openings and several branch moves, in addition to day-to-day facilities management for all Alaska USA locations. Award recipients are chosen based on their proficiency, professionalism, dedication, consistency of performance, initiative and their contribution to the credit union's member service and financial goals. Alaska USA Federal Credit Union is a member-owned, not-for-profit financial cooperative with 285,000 members worldwide.