On March 30, 2012 the UAF School of Management (SOM) and the Fairbanks community came together to honor the 36^th Business Leader of the Year, Dan Gavora of Doyon Utilities.

36th Business Leader of the Year, Dan Gavora of Doyon Utilities.

Dan Gavora is President/CEO of Doyon Utilities, LLC. For the nearly 10 years prior to joining Doyon Utilities, Dan provided direct oversight as the President/CEO of Fairbanks Sewer & Water, the second largest water and wastewater utility in Alaska. Dan has a strong background in labor negotiation and business administration, maintaining a tremendous rapport with the workforce within his companies. Dan has routinely taken leadership roles including chairing the United Way Campaign where his fundraising efforts established a new record for the Fairbanks community.  He is deeply involved in ventures that promote growth in Fairbanks, living by the adage that a community cannot grow if it has a stagnant business environment.

The Business Leader distinction began in 1977 with Dan’s father, Paul Gavora, as the first business leader honored. Previously, recipients have included married couples and brothers, but Paul and Dan are the first father and son to both receive this award. Originally organized by the SOM student organization, Associated Students of Business, the Business Leader of the Year event is now an effort coordinated by SOM staff, a community steering committee, and all six of the student organizations at SOM:

• Associated Students of Business
• Great Alaskan Accounting People
• Native Alaskan Business Leaders
• Students in Free Enterprise
• Students Offering Leadership Development
• Students Who Enjoy Economic Thinking

SOM students who gave time and effort to make the Business Leader of the Year event possible.

This year saw a record amount of student participation, with over 50 students from SOM earning their ticket to the Business Leader of the Year banquet through helping organize the event. Students did everything from calling potential attendees, to dessert tasting, ironing chair covers, and hanging paper lanterns from chandeliers.

Not only were there more students, this year saw the most participation yet from the Fairbanks community, with over 440 attendees the night of the event. This year also saw increased sponsor support. BP generously sponsored dinner and Denali State Bank came on board as the printed program sponsor.

Thanks to the combined efforts of students, community members, and businesses, the 36^th Business Leader of the Year event was one of the best so far. The money raised through ticket sales, cake auction, and silent auction of the wine centerpieces donated by Gavora, Inc. and Doyon Utilities supports SOM and SOM’s student organizations.

To view pictures from the event, click here.

The spring 2012 SWEET Scholars.

Students Who Enjoy Economic Thinking (SWEET) is a School of Management students organization who – you may have guessed by now – are interested in economics. Along with weekly meetings covering current economic topics, SWEET sponsors (with help from the Koch Charitable Foundation) guest speakers who discuss everything from the natural gas pipeline, to the European debt crisis.

There is also a special sub-group of SWEET, known as the SWEET Scholars. These ambitious students read economic texts, meet weekly for group discussion, and write about their thoughts on the subject matter on their very own blog – in return for a $300 scholarship provided by the Koch Charitable Foundation. The SWEET Scholars were recently photographed in action by intrepid photographer Maureen McCombs (click below to view photos in a slideshow).

Khrisstian Michael Burns Shafer

Khrisstian Michael Burns Shafer – “SWEET is a wonderful discussion group. Without SWEET, I do not believe I would have developed as a refined of perspective on economics as I have.”

Garrett Evridge

Adam Levy – “SWEET Scholars has hooked me on economics. I’ve taken the red pill and I can’t go back.”

Colleen McMorrow

Christine

Casey Peterson – “SWEET Scholars has taught me, not only the value of economics, but the value of an ordered and sound debate…SWEET scholars has become a large impact on my life, and has encouraged me to continue to read and understand economics to improve my own dynamic thinking of the world.”

Solja Lang

Jack Hughes-Hagman

Jack Hughes-Hagman – “My first semester with SWEET was eye-opening and amazing. I was able to constructively hash out my ideas with a number of peers…I really enjoyed the discussions.”

Daniel Leahy

Corey Upton

UAF Chancellor Brian Rogers shared his entrepreneur expertise.

On Tuesday, February 7, 2012, UAF Chancellor Brian Rogers spoke to an students, staff, and community members. Chancellor Rogers offered his insights into entrepreneurship, and shared his own background in starting a business.

Chancellor Rogers’ first business was a lemonade truck he would park on campus. The year was 1972, and at that time the UA Museum was located in Signers’ Hall. Rogers’ primary customers were thirsty tourists on their way to visit the museum. Rogers offered the tour bus drivers free lemonade. Once the passengers were dropped off, the bus drivers would head over for free lemonade, the tourists following like ducklings.

Between 1972 and 2008, Rogers started 10 businesses, ranging from selling lemonade to software development. His most successful business was a consulting firm, Information Insights, which he is still part-owner of today. The business which lost him the most money was the weekly newspaper. “How do you make a small fortune running a newspaper?” Rogers joked. “Start with a large fortune and work your way down.”

The Chancellor shared that as an entrepreneur, you face unique challenges, and to be successful, you must be willing to face them as they arise. One of the best things about owning a business is being your own boss, but that comes with a plethora of problems in itself. One risk is, as the business owner, you are the last to get paid. When Information Insights was getting started, the owners would go a couple months without a paycheck. As Rogers said, “If you need a regular paycheck, being an entrepreneur may not be the best idea.”

Chancellor Rogers finished by answering questions, touching on subjects such as UAF being too risk averse, and how that is being changed; the research/capitalist opportunities available at UAF; as well as more inside advice on the life of an entrepreneur. To listen to his complete talk, click here.

Charlie Sparks

SOM professor Charlie Sparks shows off his King Salmon.

A professor of Accounting at SOM, as well as Accounting Program Chair, Charlie received his BBA at UAF, and his MA and Ph.D. at the University of Iowa. Charlie was born in Alaska and has lived here all his life. Charlie enjoys the outdoors – camping, hiking, fishing, hunting, picking berries, you name it. He particularly enjoys the spectacular mountains and the wilderness.

Why did you choose to specialize in Accounting?
My first accounting instructor was the legendary Tom Bartlett. His was one of the first courses I took at UAF that really engaged and challenged me. As I progressed through the accounting program, I discovered it was a career path with many options, offering significant professional opportunities for advancement. I knew it was the “fast track” to top management.

What is your favorite class to teach?
I would have to say Accounting Information Systems–it is the foundation for most of what accountants do every day. It requires a strong understanding of the principles of internal control and the ability to critically apply these principles in a variety of contexts and entities.

What advice do you have for current students?
Hold off on getting that neck tattoo until you’re established in your career! Seriously, study hard and develop an understanding rather than just focusing on grades. By making connections between courses and your professional career, you develop more intellectually and have a stronger career focus.

Snapshot

Book you are currently reading? How to Catch a Pacific Salmon
Your last music download? “Heroes (live)” by David Bowie
One thing on your bucket list? Take my wife to Vienna for the holidays
Favorite place to vacation? Seldovia, Alaska

SOM Dean Herrmann (left) visits the ASB Lemonade Day Alaska booth at the 2011 Tanana Valley State Fair.

Dahlia, age 5, helps her family sell lemonade at a Rotary meeting to spread the word about Lemonade Day Alaska.

Decorations on the lemonade booth set up at the Rotary meeting.

The School of Management student organization, Associated Students of Business (ASB), is bringing Lemonade Day Alaska to the Interior.

Lemonade Day Alaska is part of a national Lemonade Day event that teaches kids the business skills they need to be successful in the future. The children who participate in Lemonade Day Alaska will learn how to set goals, develop a business plan, establish a budget, seek investors, provide customer service, and give back to the community.

The ultimate goal is to give children of all socioeconomic backgrounds the opportunity to start their own business.

In 2011, Anchorage held the first Lemonade Day, with more than 1,100 kids participating. These kids sold 91,000 glasses of lemonade, earned $149,000, and contributed more than $19,000 to local charities – all in one day.

This year, Lemonade Day Alaska will be held on Sunday, May 6, 2012, all across Alaska. So far, there have been over 3,500 registrations for Lemonade Day Alaska.

To find out how you can support Lemonade Day Alaska in the Interior, or for more information on how your child can participate, contact ASB Vice President Rebecca Leivdal at rkleivdal@alaska.edu.

(L to R) student Joey Shinn, SOM Dean Mark Herrmann, McKinley Capital Mgmt, LLC President/CEO Bob Gillam, Chancellor Brian Rogers, Professor Craig Wisen, UA President Pat Gamble, and student Abigail Scannell Riggs.

A Bloomberg Terminal is a top-of-the-line computer system, providing access to Bloomberg Professional news and databases. A standard in the finance industry, nearly all financial firms have subscriptions to the Bloomberg services, and it is known for revolutionizing the way bankers, analysts, traders, and others access real-time financial information.

This past fall semester, McKinley Capital Management, LLC gifted a Bloomberg Terminal to the Student Investment Fund (SIF) at the School of Management.

McKinley Capital Management, LLC was founded in 1990 by Bob Gillam and is based in Anchorage. They are an independent, institutional investment manager specializing in growth equities.

Students in the fall 2011 Student Investment Fund class.

After his visit in September, where Bob Gillam met with the SIF students and offered some of his own sage investment advice, he decided SOM needed another Bloomberg Terminal. The second terminal provides greater access and has helped every SIF student become more proficient in using Bloomberg’s financial data. A Bloomberg Terminal at UAF gives students a competitive edge over their peers at other universities and better prepares them for professional success.

Now a graduate of SOM and a new employee at BP, former SIF student Brennen Chamberlain stated, “SIF is one of the few programs that allows you to get real risk exposure…[With the Bloomberg terminal] you spend less time doing busy work and more time focusing on the fundamentals of the company you’re researching.”

SOM student Jake Hovenden shares his inside perspective.

“Choosing a field of study is one of the most difficult choices students face. How do you decide which major is right for you? Do you go with your passion, a lifelong dream, or a career path with a better chance of a job after graduation? For those of us searching for a successful career we can also be passionate about, the School of Management (SOM) is a powerful stepping stone to the professional world.

I’ve lived in Alaska all my life and until recently, I had yet to realize the enormous amount of opportunities Alaska presents for businesses and residents until I became a business administration major. I spent two years at another university as well as a semester abroad. With those experiences in mind, I believe the School of Management is one of the best institutions in the country with intense devotion to excellence and welcoming faculty.

A majority of the SOM faculty have extensive research backgrounds and professional work history with big firms or smaller businesses. This experience is what makes SOM faculty credible sources and knowledgeable instructors. The friendly, open-door atmosphere at SOM is unlike anything I experienced at the other university I attended. The professors and staff here are accessible and always eager to help. A good mentor goes a long way in the development of our education and SOM is chock full of them.

Your gift is vital to the success of students like me and supports experiential learning, student organizations and scholarships. Your support provides students with memories and experiences that will shape the rest of our lives.

Consider giving to the School of Management today.  Visit www.uaf.edu/som/giving.“

-Jake Hovenden, Class of 2013

The second-most new staff member at SOM is Hope Bickmeier (we met the other newbie, Anita, in an earlier post). Hope is the Project Coordinator for the Northern Leadership Center.

Get to know Hope:

Hope attempts to bake award-winning cinnamon rolls.

Why did you want to work at the School of Management?
SOM has a reputation for being both community- and student-centered. I wanted to join a department where I could be part of UAF, as well as an active member of the Fairbanks community. The NLC will allow me to work directly with students and leaders throughout Fairbanks and Alaska.

Hope kayaks in Valdez.

What do you like about Alaska?
There’s breathtaking beauty, fascinating people, and more events taking place than I could ever attend. I’ve lived a lot of places and I’m convinced that Fairbanks has more to offer than any other town its size anywhere.

Hope has discovered the mythical jackalope.

What makes you a great asset to the SOM team?
I bring a passion for my work and I fully believe in the NLC’s mission. I’m eager to help develop some of Alaska’s future leaders while promoting the exceptional education offered by SOM.

If you could time travel, what useful advice would you give your college student self?
Besides telling myself to get rid of every pair of tapered jeans I owned at the time, I would encourage myself to keep an open mind about opportunities in life. What a blessing that I didn’t get everything I wanted during my college years! Happiness and success can sometimes be found in the most unlikely places.

The fine print:

Hope has a BA in Political Science from Hillsdale College in Michigan (2001) and an MA in Professional Communication from UAF (2008).

Hope has most recently worked as an Adjunct Faculty and Academic Adviser and Assistant Director for Business and Social Science at Buena Vista University of Graduate and Professional Studies at Fort Dodge Iowa (2008-2011).  Hope previously worked for UAF as Administrative Assistant for HR (2003-2004), Admissions Counselor (2004-2007) and as Assistant Director for Admissions (2007-2008).

During her time at UAF, Hope worked with Susan Herman to create Leadership Alaska.

SOM is starting the new year out right with two new staff members: Anita Hughes and Hope Bickmeier.

This post will introduce Anita, our new MBA Program Coordinator and SOM Assessment Officer (stay tuned for the lowdown on Hope).

Get to know Anita:

Anita poses at the Arctic Circle.

Anita and her faithful companion, Harley.

Anita lounges on an ice sleigh.

Why did you want to work at the School of Management?
I love working with MBA students. This opportunity allowed me to
come back to what I think I do best; recruiting and advising. I’m also analytical beyond belief so the assessment part of the job appealed to me.

What do you like about Alaska?
I like the “bigness”. Big, majestic scenery and wildlife. I was born in
Southeast Alaska but had never been to the Interior, so after being
raised in Oregon, this was something to try – an adventure.

What makes you a great asset to the SOM team?
I bring experience with other MBA programs from other places. I
think diversity of perspectives is a great thing for any program. I’m
pretty easy to get along with and I’m a workaholic – I hope that’s an
asset!

If you could time travel, what useful advice would you give your college student self?
Stop listening to the party line about everyone hating math and not being able to do it and just learn it. Lots of it. There have been so many things I got interested in later in life where a solid foundation in math would have been so helpful.

The small print:
Anita comes with a wealth of education and work experience.  She has an MBA from the Atkinson School of Management in Willamette Oregon, an MS in Economics from Oregon State University (OSU), a BS in Agricultural and Resource Economics from OSU and a BA in history from OSU.

Anita has worked as the MBA Program Coordinator for Oregon State, as a Senior Data Analyst for the

People to People Ambassador Programs in Spokane Washington, as Associate Director of Admissions at Willamette University and as Business Information Manager and Market Research Analyst at Hewlett Packard (6 yrs.).