Anchorage Daily News

News leaders consider state of the industry

The Anchorage Chamber of Commerce's Make It Monday forum features news leaders from several sectors of media, including print, television and online news, at noon, Dena'ina Convention Center. Speakers will discuss industry updates, headlines from the past year, local politics and how social media sites like Twitter and Facebook are changing the way they report the news. Speakers include Tony Hopfinger, Alaska Dispatch; Mike Ross, KTUU Channel 2; Matthew Felling, KTVA; Lori Townsend, APRN; Colleen Crinklaw, Anchorage Press; and Pat Dougherty, Anchorage Daily News. RSVP, www.anchoragechamber.org

Alaska USA acquisition gets federal OK

Alaska USA Federal Credit Union said a federal credit union regulator has chosen it to acquire some assets and liabilities of The Members Own Federal Credit Union, which has branches in Victorville and Hesperia, Calif. Members Own has $84 million in deposits and serves 11,000 members. Alaska USA, based in Anchorage, has $4.1 billion in assets and 370,000 members.

Alaska USA is trying to diversify geographically, and the acquisition fits that strategy. Alaska USA recently acquired High Desert Federal Credit Union in Victor Valley, Calif., "so we will be operating from an established base in the area," said Bill Eckhardt, president of Alaska USA.

The National Credit Union Administration said that Members Own's "declining financial condition led to its closure and subsequent purchase and assumption by Alaska USA."

NANA to hand out $12-a-share dividend

NANA Regional Corp. said it will pay a 2009 dividend of $12 per share on Dec. 4 to shareholders of record on Oct. 16. A typical shareholder with 100 shares will get $1,200. NANA's annual dividend last year was $15.75 per share.

"These are tough economic times," said Don Sheldon, chairman of NANA's board. "The NANA region is not immune to the national recession."

Kotzebue-based NANA owns the Red Dog zinc and lead mine in Northwest Alaska, the state's largest mine, and it has diverse other businesses in engineering and construction; facilities management and logistics; real estate and hotel development; and information technology and telecommunications.

In its fiscal year that ended last Sept. 30, the basis for last year's dividend, the company reported profits of $29.3 million on revenue of $1.2 billion.

Architects honor trio of Fairbanks projects

Three Fairbanks projects were recognized for architectural excellence recently by AIA Alaska, a chapter of the American Institute of Architects. Awards were given to projects, from among 16 submissions, that best exemplify northern design requirements, sustainability, site/context sensitivity and innovative design, AIA Alaska said.

Receiving the two Honor awards were the Eielson Air Force Base Chapel Center, submitted by kpb Architects, and the Fairbanks International Airport terminal renovation and addition, submitted by Bettisworth North Architects and Planners Inc. Receiving the Merit award was the Morris Thompson Cultural and Visitors Center, submitted by Bettisworth.

Seafoods Group's meals for hungry add up

American Seafoods Group has now provided 10 million seafood meals to feed the hungry, according to SeaShare, a nonprofit hunger-relief group that provides seafood to needy Americans. Seattle-based American Seafoods is a major seafood harvester, processor and distributor, with a significant fleet targeting pollock in the Bering Sea off Alaska's coast.

Credit union has new department in Juneau

True North Federal Credit Union has opened a mortgage department within its Juneau branch that handles all mortgage transactions originating from its branches in Anchorage, Fairbanks, Yakutat and Juneau, the credit union said.

Adam Hendren has joined True North as mortgage department manager. He has 12 years of real estate lending and management experience, most recently as vice president and mortgage lending manager for Alaska Pacific Bank.

New home for economic development group

The Anchorage Economic Development Corp. has relocated to the Peterson Tower at 510 L St., Suite 603. The phone and fax numbers remain the same. AEDC is a nonprofit corporation that promotes Anchorage as a place to locate and expand businesses.

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