WINTER 2025/2026
Stories of Alaska businesses succeeding in challenging times
GOLDEN HEART WASTE
Fairbanks company thrives on fueling OFFERS ‘TRASH WITH CLASS’ The success through service, community support, and strong banking ties.
TABLE OF CONTENTS Golden Heart Waste offers ‘trash with class’.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Wasilla roots to drywall dreams, how two brothers built their vision from scratch.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 From the North Slope to South America, Equipment Source, Inc. powers worksites in harsh conditions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Napakiak Corporation tackles power, housing and more in rural Alaska. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
PUBLISHER Ryan Binkley EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Nina Wladkowski VICE PRESIDENT, SALES & EVENTS Brandi Nelson ACCOUNT MANAGER Joleesa Stepetin DESIGNER Jian Bautista
This article was produced by the sponsored content department of Anchorage Daily News in collaboration with First National Bank Alaska.
The ADN newsroom was not involved in its production.
First National Bank Alaska has been Alaska’s community bank since 1922. We’re proud to help Alaskans shape a brighter tomorrow by investing in your success as you take the leaps of faith, large and small, that enrich communities across the state.
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Image courtesy First National Bank Alaska.
When Golden Heart Waste Management owner John Thies saw he had a missed call from a new client, he was immediately interested to see what it was about. Thies was pleasantly surprised when he listened to the voicemail and the client thanked him for running a business with such excellent customer service. “The client was amazed that our driver got out of the truck and spent time picking up trash around the dumpster,” said Thies. “He was used to going outside and picking up trash from the ground himself.” Golden Heart Waste Management is a locally owned commercial refuse service, offering various dumpsters, compactors and trash removal services, operating in the Fairbanks North Star Borough.
Thies started the company after recognizing a need in the market while running Worry Free Alaska, his successful snow removal company which later expanded into construction contracting. “We decided that we would get our own rolloff (constructionstyle) truck to help [remove trash] when doing our remodels and jobs for my other company,” Thies said. Golden Heart Waste began with General Manager Andrew Rossow finding a truck on eBay. Thies traveled to the East Coast, made the purchase, and drove it back to Alaska with Rossow. With that one truck and two dumpsters, word quickly spread that Golden Heart Waste was a go-to trash company to hire. As business continued to boom, Thies realized he needed to expand his fleet.
‘I KNOW WHAT HE CAN DO’ Years ago, Thies met Herbert Davis, a banker who, in 2008, helped him with his first-ever commercial loan for Worry Free Alaska in the amount of $20,000. Over the years, they kept in touch, and when Thies needed financing to grow Golden Heart Waste, he turned to Davis once again. “Over the years, I met with John to go over his financials, tax returns and to learn more about his business,” said Davis, who has more than 23 years of experience in banking. Davis serves as vice president and the Johansen Branch manager. In addition to meeting Thies’ financial needs, Davis also helps set Golden Heart Waste up for success by refinancing existing debt and providing customized banking solutions that are right for the business. “Initially, another bank had some of the truck debt, and they didn’t necessarily have an appetite for additional growth because Golden Heart Waste was still in its infancy stage,” said Davis. “But I know John and have seen what he has done when presented with a challenge. Given his proven vision and success leveraging these opportunities, it seemed a good fit for us to help expand the business.” First National helped Golden Heart Waste finance new trucks — a significant investment, as each one costs approximately $300,000.
“A couple years ago, I had the opportunity to purchase a large number of dumpsters and a few trucks from a company that was retiring,” said Thies. “I called Herbert, and before I even finished telling him my plan, he was on board. He was there for me, helping me along the way.” With Davis’ help, Thies closed the deal and doubled his fleet. “We also financed the purchase of some dumpsters and provided additional financing, which played an integral part of the business’s growth,” said Davis. “And look where he’s at now! Since Golden Heart Waste has worked with First National, the business has grown tremendously.”
DEFYING THE ODDS With a focus on customer service, Golden Heart Waste continues to fuel its success. Over the last five years, Golden Heart Waste has grown to a fleet of 16 garbage trucks and is headquartered in a new 26,000-square-foot facility. “The first conversation I had with someone about getting into the waste industry, they told me it wouldn’t work and we couldn’t compete,” Thies said.
I believe after five years in business and a lot of hard work from the great team we have, we have proven them wrong. Davis said he credits Thies’ down-to-earth nature and close community ties for the company’s success.
Golden Heart Waste Management offers a variety of dumpsters, compactors and trash removal services in the Fairbanks North Star Borough. Image courtesy of First National Bank Alaska.
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“One thing John has is name recognition,” said Davis. “He was born and raised in Fairbanks, and knows just about everyone in town. He is not above going and knocking on doors to get things not just done, but done right and quickly.” “I’m highly motivated by challenges and being able to succeed where there is a need — especially when someone tells me that it can’t be done,” Thies added.
A ‘RELATIONSHIP BANK’ THAT CARES FOR ITS CUSTOMERS First National helps customers in all aspects of banking — and has done so for more than a century. “One hundred and four years is a long time to be doing something,” said Davis. “If you’ve done it that long, you’re doing it right. Throughout the state, there is a rich, diverse cross-section of industries First National has served and continues to serve. These businesses, like Golden Heart Waste, support and grow our communities to help make Alaska the place we proudly call home.” First National strives to take serving its customers to the next level by putting themselves in the shoes of the business owners. This is how they’re able to identify the tools that best support businesses like Golden Heart Waste.
“Lines of credit for working capital are among the most valued tools we offer to businesses,” said Davis.
We understand the importance of our business customers having flexible, ongoing access to funds, whether to help manage cash flow, expenses or seize a new opportunity, and we want to be involved. Beyond financing, Davis was able to structure Golden Heart Waste’s loan terms to align with cash flow and offered insights on risk management. “One of our biggest challenges was just breaking into the market,” Thies said, referencing the expensive price tag of the containers and trucks necessary to operate. “With the help of First National, the challenge was much easier to tackle.” Davis said it’s also important to First National that its customers feel good about the financial services they’re getting from the bank. He calls First National “a relationship bank” because they want to be there for customers from start to finish, walking them through the process. “We’re the largest locally owned bank in Alaska. We’re here for John, the community and the business owners we work with. It’s a shared relationship,” said Davis. “Banking Alaska businesses is what we do.”
One of our biggest challenges was just breaking into the market,” Golden Heart Waste owner John Thies said. “With the help of First National, the challenge was much easier to tackle.” Image courtesy of First National Bank Alaska.
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First National’s reputation extends beyond state lines. In 2025, Forbes ranked First National sixth on its list of “Best Banks in America.” The ranking was based on 11 metrics, including growth, credit quality, profitability, and stock performance. First National was the only bank in Alaska to make the list.
‘TRASH WITH CLASS’ Thies uses his business savvy to build and keep a staff of dedicated employees who go the extra mile to help give the company a good name. “One of the challenges of running a successful business can be getting together a good group of people who work well together,” said Thies.
I’ve been blessed to have an awesome group of people who have been with me every step of the way. I firmly believe if you surround yourself with smart people, you’ll find success.
“We like to call it ‘trash with class,’” said Thies. “Our goal is to help every single customer in every way possible and to continue to offer great service and take care of our clients who have been there to help us grow our business. Without them, there would be no Golden Heart.” Thies’ customer commitment and care for the community runs deep. In January, the company worked to expand recycling curriculum for schools to support the second annual Recycling Symposium. “Recycling is something that we have been working very hard to help grow,” Thies said. “We have a cardboard recycling route that we keep growing to [extend to] different businesses around town. We are also working with the [U.S. Dept. of Agriculture] to apply for a grant to help keep food waste from the landfill and use it to compost and produce top soil for gardens.” As for aspiring entrepreneurs like Thies, Davis has one key piece of advice: “Bet on yourself and you can count on us to have financial services available to help you succeed.”
Technology is also at the center of Golden Heart Waste’s operations. Thies outfitted his trucks with software programs that use GPS dispatching and live routes. The live data helps their drivers know the most efficient routes to take and lets customers easily check the status of their scheduled service. Golden Heart Waste isn’t just limited to operating in Fairbanks and the immediate surrounding areas. It also services remote areas in Coldfoot, using a helicopter to ferry trash to its trucks. No matter the location, Golden Heart Waste will figure out a way to get the job done.
“I’m highly motivated by challenges and being able to succeed where there is a need — especially when someone tells me that it can’t be done,” Golden Heart Waste owner John Thies said. Image courtesy of First National Bank Alaska.
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WASILLA ROOTS TO DRYWALL DREAMS,
HOW TWO BROTHERS BUILT THEIR VISION FROM SCRATCH Fresh out of high school, the Martorell brothers turned teenage jobsite lessons into a thriving business with success in Alaska and Nevada.
For Joe Martorell and his brother, Ray, dreaming about what they would be when they grew up was never a conversation. Their dad was a contractor, and following that same path was a natural choice for them that started as teenagers. They enjoyed the work and the feeling of accomplishment. Working while attending classes at Wasilla High School wasn’t easy, but they balanced their time to perfect their craft — which included drywall finishing and painting — while ensuring they produced high-quality work, something their dad drilled into them. “Dad taught us to focus on quality first and assured us that finding ways to be efficient and work faster would follow naturally,” said Joe Martorell. “It was good advice, and he was right.”
QUALITY, AN UNCOMPROMISING VALUE Joe and Ray Martorell became proficient in the trade and were producing professional-level work before they were old enough to have a driver’s license. “My dad would drop us off in the morning at the jobsite, and we would do all the work on our own,” said Joe Martorell. “He would pick us up at the end of the day, and it made us happy to see how proud he was of what we accomplished.” The Martorell brothers graduated high school in spring 2001 and planned to continue drywall finishing and painting. “My dad would often tell us to work with our minds so we didn’t have to break our backs,” said Joe Martorell. “He really encouraged us to take control of our skills and start our own business.” That summer, Image Drywall and Paint — a name emphasizing the quality customers see — was born. “Quality has always been our greatest strength and our most uncompromising value,” said Joe Martorell.
Brothers Joe and Ray Martorell started Image Drywall and Paint together after they graduated from Wasilla High School in 2001. Image courtesy of Image Drywall and Paint.
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Image Drywall and Paint’s outstanding reputation, ability to create new business partnerships, and work maintaining existing client relationships has resulted in consistent growth. Image courtesy of Image Drywall and Paint.
THE GO-TO SUB-CONTRACTOR Like many new businesses, the Martorell brothers started small. “We [had] just a set of tools and an old work truck, earning only what we could produce with our own hands,” said Joe Martorell.
As people saw the quality of our work and how we conducted business, demand increased, and we were able to hire more help. Originally, their goal for Image Drywall and Paint was to gain enough residential market share to have consistent work. But over time, their vision evolved from trying to land a job to developing a company that would be sustainable and profitable. “Growing Image Drywall and Paint has been slow and purposeful,” said Joe Martorell. “Most of it has come from word-of-mouth.” Their outstanding organic reputation, ability to create new business partnerships, and work maintaining existing client relationships has resulted in consistent growth. “Being a specialty contractor, we receive most of our work from general contractors,” said Joe Martorell. “Our goal is to reach a point in our relationships to consider general contractors as ‘core contractors.’ We want to be their go-to sub-contractor, which will allow us to rely on them to help maintain our workflow.”
Image Drywall and Paint aims to be a “go-to subcontractor” for general contractors. Image courtesy of Image Drywall and Paint.
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First National Bank Alaska has held their company’s deposits, provided loans for their land acquisitions and commercial buildings, extended them lines of credit, and even helped them set up a Wealth Management account* — services that the regional community bank with global capabilities offers to support Image Drywall and Paint’s expansion into Nevada and anywhere else their business takes them. At the core of First National’s “One Solution” approach is creating relationships, something Senior Business Development Officer and Treasury Management Consultant Jennifer Matthews did the moment she connected with the Martorells
Joe Martorell’s advice for other businesses? Choose a bank that can grow with you, providing localized support in tandem with global capabilities. Image courtesy of First National Bank Alaska.
“Doing quarterly check-ins and annual reviews allows us to understand [and customize] services accordingly,” Matthews said. “We listen; we ask questions about what they see ahead.” Twenty-four years is a long time for a business relationship. Throughout the years, Image Drywall and Paint’s projects have grown substantially, and throughout it all, First National has been a phone call away as the needs of their business evolved. “No question is a dumb question. I will find the answer, solution or the person to help,” Matthews said.
We are a good resource and can talk about options you may not have even anticipated. The Martorell brothers’ relationship with First National goes beyond meeting with bankers inside a branch. Their relationship with First National Vice President and Loan Officer Chris Longacre includes conversations over lunch about their vision and goals.
Image courtesy of First National Bank Alaska.
EXPANDING BEYOND ALASKA Scaling a business involves navigating challenges, growing as leaders and finding the right banking partnership, Joe Martorell said. “Our detriment as owners [was] being the ‘bottleneck’ in decision-making and management,” said Joe Martorell.
We’ve learned the value of creating a business that is systems-dependent instead of people-dependent. In 2017, Image Drywall and Paint was in a position to continue expanding. They chose Nevada for their next location. “When we branched out, we had to learn to network better and forge friendships with our competitors,” said Joe Martorell. “This allowed us to share resources and deal with the ebb and flow of construction.” Even as they found new people and businesses to partner with, one relationship has remained consistent since Image Drywall and Paint launched in 2001: the business’s bank.
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“As they grew, so did their demand for a lending relationship,” Longacre said. “I found the business to be unique and interesting from the onset and made it my goal to know Joe and Ray’s vision. When you genuinely care about a person’s success and take time to learn about their life experiences, it creates a special bond.” First National’s support includes providing working capital to ensure Image Drywall retains the positive cash flow required to take on more work and increase net income. “With First National’s One Solution approach and our relationship-based banking model, we provide customized financial solutions to meet Image Drywall’s unique business needs,” Longacre said. “This enables us to support the business wherever it operates.”
GREAT RELATIONSHIPS LIGHTEN THE LOAD As he ran his successful business, Joe Martorell always felt like he needed to do everything exactly right. “As a husband, father and employer, there is a lot of pressure and responsibility to succeed,” said Joe Martorell. * Investment products are not insured by the FDIC; are not deposits; and may lose value.
He credits First National Senior Vice President and Wealth Management and Trust Director Morgan Neff with helping him see the bigger picture and prepare for the future. “Small businesses often face fragmented financial relationships,” Neff said. “They can feel ignored or that someone has not spent the time to discuss the institutional level of services that larger organizations benefit from. This leads them to piecemeal out these services, which can be extremely burdensome and costly administratively.”
Joe Martorell’s advice for other businesses? Choose a bank that can grow with you, providing localized support in tandem with global capabilities. “Learn about their products and services so they can become part of your team and be ready to support you when growth demands it,” Joe Martorell said. “Alaska is full of great opportunity, adventure and a place where dreams come true,” added Longacre. “Our collective experiences at First National allow us to better understand diversity, communication and teamwork. That’s not a combination you can find just anywhere.”
That’s why First National always takes that One Solution approach, Neff said. The bank’s multifaceted team can “help drive continuity across life and business stages [and has] the ability to customize and pivot as their needs evolve.”
GROWING TOGETHER Joe Martorell said Neff and the entire First National team have been incredible sources of support, comfort and reassurance, giving him the confidence he needed for their recent expansion into Nevada. “First National has always looked out for me and sought to help me succeed,” said Joe Martorell. He knows the bank “will be there, ready to help us meet new challenges.”
Joe Martorell of Image Drywall and Paint said the entire First National team has been incredible sources of support, comfort and reassurance, giving him the confidence he needed for their recent expansion into Nevada. Image courtesy of First National Bank Alaska.
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FROM THE NORTH SLOPE TO SOUTH AMERICA,
EQUIPMENT SOURCE, INC. POWERS WORKSITES IN HARSH CONDITIONS ESI manufactures and supplies equipment built to withstand weather in Alaska and beyond.
In the depths of Alaska’s winter, when temperatures plunge to below zero and work on the North Slope continues without pause, reliable equipment can be the difference between progress and shutdown. That’s where Equipment Source, Inc. (ESI) comes in. Led by President Tim Cerny and Vice President Nick Ferree, ESI designs, builds and delivers industrial equipment specifically engineered for arctic conditions. From mobile heaters and generators to water pumps and specialty machinery, the company’s motto says it all: Built Arctic Tough. “Everything we do is focused on building equipment that performs where others can’t — in Alaska’s extreme conditions,” said Ferree. “We know the climate, we know the logistics and we know what it takes to keep other industries growing with our products.”
EXPANDING TO MEET ALASKA’S NEEDS What began as a small shop supporting oil and gas operations has grown into a diversified enterprise serving Fairbanks, Anchorage, Seattle, the North Slope and other locations with extreme coldweather climates. Its flagship heater, the ES700, is a common sight on the North Slope, with more than 1,000 units in operation. ESI has also expanded into power generation, building mobile and stationary diesel-fueled generators that provide everything from backup electricity for rural locations that are off-the-grid to powering up mountaintop communication sites. “No one else builds this type of equipment to handle 40-below temperatures on a remote mountaintop in western Alaska,” Ferree said. Beyond manufacturing, ESI also operates as a dealership for heavy equipment, tractors and construction gear. Its lineup includes Kubota tractors, JCB equipment, Fat Truck all-terrain vehicles, Avant loaders, and other equipment lines that serve everyone from homeowners to major contractors to large oil and gas companies and everything in between.
Image courtesy of First National Bank Alaska.
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Just as important as the products is ESI’s approach to providing an excellent customer experience and long-lasting
Beginning as a small shop supporting oil and gas operations, ESI has grown into a diversified enterprise serving Fairbanks, Anchorage, Seattle, the North Slope and other locations with extreme cold-weather climates. Image courtesy of ESI.
service for their products. ESI offers end-to-end support, stocking parts for decades-old equipment, ensuring customers are never left stranded and their investment lasts. ESI guarantees its products, and if customers do experience issues, ESI is there to fix the problem, usually within hours. “We don’t just sell a piece of equipment and walk away,” Ferree said. “We’re here for the long haul. Customers know they can count on us.”
GROWTH THROUGH RESILIENCE The company’s growth hasn’t come without challenges. The 2015/2016 oil price crash forced ESI to diversify its customer base beyond the North Slope. While heaters had long been their primary product, the downturn spurred investments in serving a broader customer base across the state. With the help of First National Bank Alaska, ESI expanded its focus to include power generation, insulated water pumps designed for extreme cold and specialty equipment for remote projects. “Our relationship … evolved from capital needs to ancillary services such as treasury management, depository and credit card services,” said First National Vice President and Regional Branch Manager Pam Wentz. Today, ESI is a trusted partner for many industries and continues to grow its customer base in energy, mining, telecommunications, construction and agriculture. Its reach extends beyond the United States, with customers based in Canada and Chile. ESI’s commitment to reliability has matched that ability to adapt and grow. When equipment fails in the field, it can halt operations and cost thousands of dollars a day. ESI’s facilities in Alaska allow staff to respond rapidly to their customers’ urgent needs. For example, ESI prides itself on same-day shipping, which is not just a critical advantage
With the help of First National Bank Alaska, ESI expanded its focus to include power generation, insulated water pumps designed for extreme cold, and specialty equipment for remote projects. Image courtesy of First National Bank Alaska.
in a state where logistics can be daunting, but a genuine need for its customers with a diverse and often challenging geographic range.
LOCAL ROOTS, GLOBAL REACH ESI’s steady growth is fueled by its long-standing relationship with First National Bank Alaska. The bank combines a strong local community focus with the global capabilities ESI needed to expand. Their connection began decades ago when ESI was in the start-up phase. Since then, it has evolved into a multifaceted enterprise that includes loans, credit lines, treasury management services, fraud protection and so much more. “First National Bank Alaska has been with us through both the growth and the challenging times,” said Cerny. “That trust and support have been crucial to our success.” For a company with operations across Alaska and beyond, banking flexibility is key. First National provides ESI with solutions ranging from credit card and merchant services to fraud prevention tools and banking solutions that make it easy for staff to manage banking across multiple sites, especially when a business is in its growth phase.
On the day-to-day side, it’s the basics that really matter — moving money easily, wiring funds, online portals that are simple to use. First National makes that all seamless. – Ferree First National truly lives by the principles of flexibility while providing top-quality solutions, all while treating customers as family. While First National is Alaska’s largest locally owned bank, its services extend well beyond state lines. That balance of community connection and capability has proven critical for companies like ESI, which now operates not just in Alaska but also in Canada and the Lower 48. “First National can serve Tim just as effectively in Seattle as we can in Fairbanks,” Wentz said. “We’re Alaska’s bank, but we have the tools to support clients wherever their business takes them. … First National is truly a relationship bank; we want to be there for our customers from start to finish.”
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“Everything we do is focused on building equipment that performs where others can’t — in Alaska’s extreme conditions,” said ESI Vice President Nick Ferree. “We know the climate, we know the logistics and we know what it takes to keep other industries growing with our products.” Image courtesy of First National Bank Alaska.
For ESI, that relationship has created stability during unpredictable cycles. Cerny continues to feel comforted knowing he has a partner in First National that is woven into the fabric of his business. “There is a comfort level that comes with First National understanding our business, having made the effort over the years to know where we’re going,” Cerny said.
TRUST BUILT OVER DECADES First National leaders describe their relationship with ESI as more than transactional — it’s rooted in shared values and a deep understanding of Alaska’s business climate. “I’ve watched ESI grow from a small shop to an enterprise business,” said Cecil Cocom, Senior Business Development Officer and Treasury Management Consultant at First National.
Their adaptability is remarkable, and our role has been to anticipate their needs while providing tools that evolve with them. That forward-thinking approach includes frequent conversations with ESI to assess fraud risks, as well as introduce new services and emerging financial tools. “We’re constantly on the edge of evolving financial changes, and we make sure ESI is aware of areas that we can assist in,” said Cocom. “When you have a trusted
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ESI’s steady growth is fueled by its long-standing relationship with First National Bank Alaska. The bank combines a strong local community focus with the global capabilities ESI needs. Image courtesy of First National Bank Alaska.
banking partner, you can focus on your work instead of worrying about financial logistics.”
INNOVATION IN BANKING, INNOVATION IN EQUIPMENT Just as ESI prides itself on building equipment that lasts for decades, First National invests in long-term solutions for its clients. Fraud prevention, merchant services and treasury management tools all help ESI operate more efficiently. Lines of credit and financing give the company flexibility to seize new opportunities. ESI’s story is about building something that lasts — for its customers, its employees and its community. And that’s exactly the kind of business First National is proud to support. For Wentz, supporting clients like ESI is deeply personal, too. “When working with customers like Tim, Nick and ESI, helping them achieve their goals, you become not only their banker, but a friend,” she said. As Alaska’s economy continues to grow in industries like energy, mining and telecommunications, ESI is positioning itself to meet those demands with equipment that can withstand the state’s toughest conditions. And with First National Bank Alaska by its side, the company has the financial backing to keep innovating.
That philosophy reflects the long-term perspective both companies share. ESI isn’t just building equipment — it’s building resilience, opportunity and community across Alaska. And First National isn’t just providing banking services — it’s investing in the future of Alaska’s economy. With plans to support resource development, telecommunication and other projects across Alaska and beyond with “Built Arctic Tough” products, ESI and First National continue to show what “making it” truly means.
NAPAKIAK CORPORATION TACKLES POWER,
HOUSING AND MORE IN RURAL ALASKA The village corporation in the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta region brings financial and energy progress to its community with help from their local bank. When environmental, financial, and logistical challenges of life in rural Alaska demand innovation, the team at the Napakiak Corporation gets creative. The Alaska Native corporation provides jobs and vital support for residents of Napakiak, located 10 miles downriver from Bethel. The village’s remote location poses numerous ongoing challenges, requiring creative solutions for everything from obtaining reliable Wi-Fi access to generating income for the community. Fortunately, the corporation’s leadership — headed by General Manager Lloyd Black — has pushed Napakiak forward in recent years, establishing diverse financial opportunities that span from a profitable corporation-operated short-term rental to a moneysaving solar power project. “We operate a local store, run a power company, and operate WNA Rentals, LLC, providing Airbnb rentals in Bethel,” Lloyd Black said.
CHALLENGES AND SOLUTIONS As a remote Alaska community, Napakiak is focused on issues like sustainability and affordability, critical concerns as the state faces challenges brought on by climate change and the rising costs of essentials such as fuel, food and supplies. In response to these evolving needs, the Napakiak Corporation began investing in renewable energy several years ago, including the installation of solar panels. “The solar project means a lot to our community because it provides clean, reliable, and affordable energy,” said Tina Black, bookkeeper for the Napakiak Corporation. “It reduces our dependence on fossil fuels, lowers electricity costs, and creates new opportunities for jobs and skills training. Beyond the economic benefits, it also shows a commitment to protecting the environment for future generations.”
With a branch upriver in Bethel, First National’s team doesn’t just understand Napakiak’s remote Alaska lifestyle — they’re a part of it, and are working alongside the corporation to help ensure their way of life endures and thrives. Image courtesy of First National Bank Alaska.
The project required the Napakiak Corporation to lean on a long-standing community partner, First National Bank Alaska. With a branch upriver in Bethel, First National’s team doesn’t just understand Napakiak’s remote Alaska lifestyle — they’re a part of
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it, and are working alongside the corporation to ensure their way of life endures and thrives. The bank’s Kuskokwim Branch opened in Bethel in 1961, and continues to serve as a bilingual branch, with tellers fluent in both Yup’ik and English. The branch serves an expansive region of rural Alaska in the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta, Bristol Bay area, and Northwest regions — an area that is 88% the size of California.
In rural Alaska communities, solar power helps stabilize energy costs by reducing dependence on diesel, which fluctuates in price, and by reducing the likelihood that villages will lose power during a significant weather event. Image courtesy of First National Bank Alaska.
“First National has supported us as we expanded into new ventures, from retail to energy,” Lloyd Black said.
Their staff understands our needs and provides personal support. First National was a key lender for the corporation’s solar project, giving Napakiak Corporation the financial backing it needed to pursue the groundbreaking project. The bank also financed Napakiak’s first Airbnb rental, enabling further economic growth for the community. The bank didn’t just rubber-stamp a loan for solar panels, said First National Assistant Vice President and Kuskokwim Branch Manager Nili Sundown. First National was there for the entire process, with Sundown participating in meetings with Napakiak leadership and solar contractors to ensure all parties understood the project’s financial implications. “Having access to solar power strengthens our community’s resilience, especially during outages, and helps us become more self-sufficient,” Tina Black said. In rural Alaska communities, solar power helps stabilize energy costs by reducing dependence on diesel, which fluctuates in price, and by reducing the likelihood that villages will lose power during a significant weather event. As Alaska’s natural gas reserves begin to decline, solar power offers a sustainable alternative.
A DECADES-LONG PARTNERSHIP In addition to lending services to finance their solar project and their work in the short-term rental market, Napakiak Corporation also relies on a full suite of financial products from First National, including online banking, account management, support for subsidiary account structures, payroll services, and more. The Napakiak Corporation’s relationship with the bank goes all the way back to 1987, Sundown said; the institution has long “been our bank of choice for corporate and subsidiary accounts,” Lloyd Black noted.
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Napakiak faces modern challenges in a rural location. The nearly four-decade relationship between the Napakiak Corporation and First National remains integral to the corporation and community’s growth. Image courtesy of First National Bank Alaska.
Although the Napakiak Corporation was once focused on operating a local general store, the organization’s business interests have since expanded significantly. Today, the organization not only pursues the aforementioned initiatives but also engages in federal contracting work and partnerships with companies in the Lower 48. According to Tina Black, the bank’s electronic banking solutions have kept up with the community’s ever-growing financial needs.
“With us all working together as one team, it’s a one-stop, one-solution bank,” Keopuhiwa said. “They don’t need to go anywhere else.”
RURAL BANKING DONE LOCALLY When banking clients operate as remotely as the Napakiak Corporation does, they tend to have specific needs that larger, national financial institutions may not understand or often can’t address.
“First National Bank Alaska has evolved from basic banking to a true strategic partnership,” Tina Black said. “Early on, First National handled deposits and payroll. Today, they support our government-contracting work with treasury tools, equipment financing, and performance support, and they’ve stood up digital workflows that let our teams operate.”
“First National knows our community,” Lloyd Black said.
The community works with the Kuskokwim Branch and its small but dedicated team, while also benefiting from the support of associates like Sherilee Keopuhiwa, a First National treasury management consultant who travels from Anchorage to Bethel several times each year.
First National’s digital banking solutions give rural communities like Napakiak access to modern solutions that save them tremendous time and energy. Instead of relying on mail or in-person delivery methods to work with other contractors and partners, Napakiak can now use
They are accessible, flexible, and willing to work with the realities of rural Alaska — something large national banks often can’t provide.
digital treasury management solutions, such as payroll services and a remote scanner, as well as a mobile check deposit tool that eliminates the need for community members to mail checks. From the Kuskokwim Branch, Sundown and her team don’t just offer products to customers in these remote locations and then leave them to fend for themselves. “We make sure solutions for customers add value for them,” Keopuhiwa said.
We’re not going to give them something just because we’re selling it or it’s a new service. We customize and prioritize what their needs are, because we’re their partner in making their business sustainable and successful. Because First National is an Alaska institution, clients who reach out to their banker for support aren’t getting a random staffer in the Lower 48 — they’re talking to fellow Alaskans, who understand the state’s geography and travel limitations in a way external institutions can’t.
“We hear customers that are saying about working with other banks, ‘Well, I don’t know who to call. I get a 1-800 number or I call someone outside of Alaska.’ National banks might not understand that the person might need to take two planes to reach their branch,” Sundown said. “First National provides relationship banking that bridges the distance between remote communities across Alaska with the bank and allows businesses to have access to many platforms of banking services — not just branches, but also treasury management, merchant services, lending and home mortgage. We take interest and care to know our customers’ cultures and challenges to be able to form unique banking relationships and to offer customized financial solutions.” The bank’s holistic approach to customer service — which provides clients with multiple lines of communication and assistance — ensures that when a client is in need, someone will be available.
“Whether it’s offering flexible solutions, understanding the seasonal rhythms of our work, or simply being available with a familiar face who knows our name, First National provides support a national chain — often focused on scale rather than local nuance — would struggle to match.” As Napakiak faces modern challenges in a rural location, the nearly four-decade relationship between the Napakiak Corporation and First National remains integral to the corporation and community’s growth, the corporation noted. “We face housing shortages, infrastructure needs, and economic development challenges,” Lloyd Black said.
First National will remain central in helping us finance growth and manage resources responsibly.
“First National meets needs that go beyond standard banking,” Tina Black said. “Their local decision-making, personalized customer service, and commitment to reinvesting in the community ensure our financial partner is invested in our success.
Napakiak Corporation has established diverse financial opportunities spanning from a village store and a profitable short-term rental to a money-saving solar power project. Image courtesy of First National Bank Alaska.
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Integrity is Key to Success At Integrity Environmental, integrity is more than just a name — it defines the company’s commitment to helping their customers keep bulk fuel storage operations safe. It’s also one of the many reasons why Owner and Principal Consultant Shannon Oelkers chooses First National Bank Alaska. Discover how First National helps Integrity Environmental bring innovative and effective solutions to Alaska and the Pacific Northwest.
“I trust First National’s local industry expertise and have complete confidence in their ability to help my business continue to grow and succeed.”
– Shannon Oelkers
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