Global Food Collaborative

Top of the Food Chain:
Leaders Recognized With Awards at Global Food Alaska 2009


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Anchorage, AK – June 22,2009

Nearly 400 participants of the Global Food Alaska 2009 Conference and Business showcase filed into the Kenai Landing’s Marketplace Loft on June 10th to join in celebrating the biennial leadership awards announcement.  

Jon Faulkner, owner of Kenai Landing welcomed guests to the property with a rich seafood history as a former Libby, McNeill and Libby (1912-1921); Columbia Wards Fisheries (1959) and Wards Cove Packing Company (1983) plant.     

Following the introduction to the historical property, the audience welcomed Mr. Victor Vasquez, Deputy Under Secretary for Rural Department with the United States Department of Agriculture.    Mr. Vasquez warmly engaged with the audience and shared his background and very personal connection to food production and to Alaska.   His brief remarks touched on the new administration’s approach to rural development, expressing great promise in the talent being assembled to support those for healthy lives and economies in rural America.      Robin Richardson, event organizer said, “With his special interest in local decision making and leadership development coupled with his history, experience, education and role at USDA, Mr. Vasquez was the perfect individual to help us recognize leadership within Alaska’s food supply chain.”

Finalists were announced in three separate categories with rousing applause from the audience – all of whom are directly involved in Alaska’s supply chain of food.   Mr. Vasquez presented the awards as the names were announced.

Grower/Harvester/Direct-Marketer:  An individual, who has demonstrated leadership that grows, harvests or markets Alaska food, beverage or bio products.

               Michael East - Kahiltna Birchworks – 2009 Award Winner

Manufacturer/Processor:  An individual who has demonstrated leadership that processes or manufactures Alaska food, beverage or bio products.

               Geoff Larson – Alaskan Brewing Company – 2009 Award Winner

Alaska Champion: An individual that played a significant role in pulling Alaska food, beverage or bio products into the local, national or international marketplace.

                Rob George – The Crab Broker – 2009 Award Winner

Award winners made short remarks after learning of their award and in doing so, recognized each of their respective spouses who are also their business partners.  Rob George, The Crab Broker, highlighted the 2009 winners remarks recognizing the tenacity and passion that he and the others had for their products and business. 

 “It has inspiring to recognize business leadership in this sector”, says Ruby Hollembaek, Owner of Alaska Interior Game Ranch and Chair of the awards committee.  “It was especially gratifying to hear from these leaders about their passion and business philosophies.  This was a common theme of opportunity, Alaska and leadership, beginning in the morning with Jim Jansen, President of Lynden, followed by an inspiring message by Senator Ted Stevens.   To conclude the day’s event recognizing these 2009 award winners – it demonstrated the positive influence showcasing these leaders can have on others in sustainable and successful businesses.”  
Other award committee members include Susannah Morgan (Food Bank of Alaska), Jeff Jones (Alaska Journal of Commerce), Greg Obeso (Lynden International) and William Quantick (West Coast Paper), Lea Klingert (Alaska Commercial Fishing and Agricultural Bank) and Amey Armachain (Alaska Hotel and Lodging Association).

About the 2009 winners:

Michael East, Owner, Kahiltna Birchworks
Located in Palmer, Alaska, Kahiltna Birchworks is the largest producer of pure birch syrup in the world.  In 18 years, Michael (and Dulce) have succeeded in growing their company 2,150%. Kahiltna promotes ecologically integrated food systems, reverse osmosis and plans to introduce tubing and vacuum technology to reduce fuel costs. Through sustainable efforts and a three-year-cycle on tree tapping, Kahiltna will be able to harvest sap from these trees indefinitely. Michael has single-handedly created the infrastructure for his remote operation and because he maintains strict standards in quality, he has ensured the highest quality product. Through use of Kahiltna’s birch syrup, many Alaskan companies have been able to create niche market products that highlight the bounty of Alaska.

Geoff Larson, Owner, Alaskan Brewing Company
Geoff, an engineer by training, works tirelessly to innovate new processes and products that have resulted in 22 successful years of manufacturing.   The Alaskan Brewing Company, located in Juneau, has won over 33 awards for their beers, both national and international and employs over 60 people year-round.     Geoff (and Marcy) have succeeded in producing and distributing an internationally recognized, quality product with the economic challenges of manufacturing in a remote location. Geoff leads the charge for constant innovation and quality improvement and safety from the product and supply chain systems to the physical plant.  Beyond the commercial success of it's beers, Alaskan Brewing was the first craft brewer in the nation to install a carbon dioxide recovery system, which captures and reuses the greenhouse gases of the fermentation process.  Geoff's innovations in reducing energy dependency on the local power grid, also proved to be helpful in light of the recent area power outages.     Geoff and Marcy have demonstrated their leadership more recently with their foundation, Coastal Code, to support the health of the Pacific Ocean.

Rob George, President, The Crab Broker
The Crab Broker (Rob and Debbie) is a company supplying fresh Alaskan crab to the US and Canada. Through his passion and lust for knowledge, Rob shows seafood buyers why Alaska's crab is supreme over competitive products. Rob stresses the importance of relationships with both buyers and suppliers to emphasize the importance of sustainable harvesting practices and high quality standards. The Crab Broker fills a niche that was previously unoccupied by providing fresh, uncooked crab and using all parts of the crab. Rob personally invites chefs and seafood buyers on an annual Crab tour.  During the visit Rob spotlights production areas of Alaska resulting in an increased confidence in sourcing Alaskan product and long-term customer loyalty to the Alaska species.

Past Winners:

2002 - Jon Lowrance, Leader Creek Fisheries, LLC. - Best Practice and Innovation in Seafood Award
2003  - Axel Kopun, Chignik Seafood Producers Alliance - Best Practice and Innovation in Seafood Award
2007 - Jack Gadwill, General Manager for Kwik’ Pak Fisheries, Best Practices and Innovation in Seafood Award
2007 – Bruce Gore, Triad Fisheries, Leader – Alaska’s Food Supply Chain  (Grower/Harvester)
2007 - Chuck Bundrant, Trident Seafoods - Alaska’s Food Supply Chain (Manufacturer/Processor
2007 - Rob Baer and Mark Witeveen, Alaska Spirit -Alaska’s Food Supply Chain (Alaska Champion)

About Global Food Alaska 2009 

A two day industry event held in Soldotna on June 10th and 11th, designed to welcome commercial and institutional buyers, investors and supply chain partners to meet with Alaska's commercial harvesters and producers, of food and bio products. The biennial event, sponsored by the supply chain members, it highlights the diversity of Alaska’s industry and encourages participants to work across industry sectors horizontally and vertically to leverage resources, reduce costs and increase markets. 
www.globalfoodalaska.com