Official Toast sponsored by PeopleAK Community Service by a Small Business Community Service by a Large Business
Non-Profit Above & Beyond
- INTERMISSION -
Pick Your Seat Drawing // Deal-Or-No Deal Drawing
Entrepreneurial Excellence
Business Excellence
Volunteer of the Year
9:30 PM
Heads or Tails Game
9:45-11:00 PM
VIP After Party featuring ABBAlaska!
above and beyond.
Congratulations to the 2024 Gold Pan Award finalists who exemplify civic leadership in our community.
Gold Pan Awards Criteria
COMMUNITY SERVICE - Large
Business (more than 50 employees) and Small Business (less than 50 employees) Nominees (businesses only) must be active participants in the community who demonstrate outstanding community service, creativity, and excellence and have significantly improved the city of Anchorage by achieving success in its business through growth and quality performance.
NON-PROFIT ABOVE & BEYOND
Nominees (organizations only) must aim to significantly improve the city of Anchorage outside of their daily operations by helping the business community succeed through growth and quality performance. The organization must have work that exemplifies its mission and has evolved to meet the needs of its members or the community.
BUSINESS EXCELLENCE
The nominee (businesses only) must have provided excellent goods or services, contributed to the economic vitality of Anchorage, and have a proven record of adaptability and sustainability. The nominee must have been in operation for at least five years by July 2024.
ENTREPRENEURIAL EXCELLENCE
The nominee (business or individual) must have started, organized, and managed a successful business, exemplifying creative vision, talent, and innovative thinking that creates business opportunities. Selfnominations are accepted.
WHAT DOES THE SELECTION PROCESS LOOK LIKE?
This event aims to highlight local businesses of excellence, and the Anchorage Chamber of Commerce strives to keep the integrity of this process by implementing a selection committee every year. The committee reviews all nominations and votes on the finalists and winners in each category. Committee members include chamber staff, and representatives from the Board of Directors, diversity committee, Ambassadors, and Young Professionals Group leadership. For more info, visit anchoragechamber.org/gold-pan-awards.
Community Service - Small
In 1953, Mary Hale, Lorene Harrison, and Frank Brink—three of Anchorage’s most prominent and active participants in the arts community—conceived the idea of establishing a training ground for performers and established Anchorage Community Theatre (ACT). ACT was the hub of theatre in the territory. The school they envisioned later came to being under the auspices of the Anchorage Community College Theatre Workshop. There followed the golden years of amateur theatre in Alaska—Boris Karloff came and mesmerized Anchorage audiences in Arsenic and Old Lace, Theresa Wright broke our hearts in The Dark at the Top of the Stairs, Lee Sullivan enchanted us in Brigadoon, and Will Rogers, Jr. aroused mirth and nostalgia in Ah, Wilderness! Karloff, who came, saw and conquered Alaska, was in turn conquered, and donated his professional fees to the theatre world of Anchorage. Robert Pond began working with Frank Brink during these early years in the late 1950s and continued to lead ACT until the early 2000’s. Since 1953, ACT has presented literally hundreds of plays and many thousands of performances. Throughout its history, ACT has maintained its emphasis on providing community members a chance to participate as actors and in the many backstage and support roles necessary to produce plays. Now in its 71st year, ACT remains a place of entertainment by the community for the community in a much larger Anchorage. ACT is known for building bridges in our city with the underserved, so that everyone can have the opportunities our theatre offers. There’s always something to do at ACT, be it large musicals like Annie or Matilda, classic dramas, premiering new plays, to live radio plays, and vast educational opportunities for youth and adults. ACT has been through earthquakes, pandemics, and economic turmoil, but has never stopped building community through theatre.
In 1974, amidst the bustling construction of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System, a small but determined venture named NANA Commercial Catering was born. This was the beginning of what would become NANA Management Services. Today, NMS is the leading provider of integrated support services, operating across eight states with more than 2,000 employees. With a foundation built on resilience and a vision for growth, we are dedicated to empowering the communities we serve and forging new paths in service, innovation, and opportunity.
Community Service - Small
The Photo Emporium prevents boring parties! The Photo Emporium offers photo booth services that help people play together and become the life of the party. Our mission is to provide a photo booth for every party. Whether its a super fancy Vogue booth for Mayor’s Charity Ball or a fun birthday party pickup, everyone has the opportunity to have fun with a photo booth.
Services include photo booths with themed backdrops, red carpet photography, 360 video booths, event photography . There are even some truly Alaskan products like vintage Volkswagen buses and Hank the Moose. Who else has a Moose on staff?!
Our photo products help guests and parties come alive by providing heaps of fun and memories to share. A simple photo can remind a person how awesome and fun they are when they are around other cool people. When people do, they give more, enjoy life more, and love more.
Shiloh Community Housing, Inc. is committed to eliminating the barriers to safe, affordable housing, including age, income, lack of sustainable employment, limited education, and insufficient skills or training. These obstacles often prevent individuals from achieving financial stability and securing permanent housing. Our programs and services aim to prevent homelessness by offering support to families and individuals who are currently housed, helping them maintain their housing and avoid displacement. In doing so, we are working to break the cycle of homelessness before it starts.
RELIABLE SHIPPING TRUSTED PARTNERS
Since 1975, TOTE has proudly served as a critical shipping link for our customers and the communities of Alaska.
Community Service - Large
GCI is Alaska’s original tech start-up. It all started in 1979 when founder and CEO Ron Duncan teamed up with Bob Walp to start the business in a garage in Bootlegger’s Cove to provide Alaskans better options in long-distance telephone services. Fortyfive years and more than $4 billion in investments later, GCI offers mobile, internet, and phone services to consumer and business customers in more than 200 communities throughout Alaska, even in the most remote regions.
The company is also deeply rooted in a strong culture of philanthropy. Through its wide-ranging philanthropy program, GCI Gives, the company has a demonstrated commitment to community service and supports more than 100 nonprofit organizations in Alaska each year. It donates $2 million each year in cash, services, products, scholarships, and grants to Alaska nonprofits. In addition, every employee receives 16 paid hours each year to volunteer in their community.
Heads or Tails?
Purchase your blinky rings and play a game of Heads or Tails at the end of the night for a chance to win two round-trip tickets to anywhere Alaska Airlines flies! $30 each, 3 for $75, 6 for $125 Cash or Credit
We are proud to support the Anchorage Chamber of Commerce
Community Service -Large
Renewal by Andersen of Alaska was founded by Chris Dunn in 2008 in Eagle River . Looking for a quality solution to the unique Alaskan window and door problems, he turned to Andersen, the most trusted window and door brand in North America for over 120 years. Renewal by Andersen is the full-service replacement division of Andersen, leveraging that history and expertise to craft custom window and door replacement products tough enough to meet the extreme needs of Alaskan homeowners, while providing custom solutions to match each homeowners’ desires for style, functionality, and cost.
Working with Alaskans from Anchorage, the MatSu Valley, Fairbanks, North Pole, Delta Junction, the Kenai Peninsula, Valdez, and Kodiak, to Juneau, and Douglas, we have earned the most 5-star reviews in Alaska among full-service replacement companies through a dedication to our Signature Service.
Our Signature Service is committed to giving you the best customer experience possible, through the perfect combination of the best people in the industry, a superior process, and an exclusive product. From design and sales through manufacturing, installation, and service, we own the entire process— giving you a single point of contact and helping make your experience the most streamlined home-improvement project you’ve ever done. It’s the kind of service you would expect from the Andersen Windows name, and it’s only available at Renewal by Andersen of Alaska.
HELPING OUR MEMBERS BUILD BETTER LIVES FOR ALMOST 90 YEARS
Nuvision Credit Union’s roots run deep. Born in 1935 as the credit union of Douglas Aircraft, our values were forged in the factories and plants that made the region prosper. Our earliest members were visionaries and hard-working individuals. At our core is a commitment to strength, independence and discipline; a belief that if you work hard enough, a better life is always possible – not just for yourself, but for future generations to come.
From a new car to first home, and college savings, to a secure retirement, Nuvision helped to make hundreds of thousands of dreams possible and transformed Southern California as a result. Our credit union became a beacon that attracted members from other industries and sectors, including oil, gas, construction, military, aerospace, unions and municipalities.
Our commitment to Alaska began in 1948, with the formation of the City of Anchorage Employees Credit Union and the Alaska Railroad Credit Union.
Today, we celebrate Nuvision Credit Union Alaska, where our values remain constant and drive everything we do, and the portfolio of products and services we offer continues to evolve at market speed. The credit union has expanded its membership to assist all the hardworking people in the communities it serves, with more than 170,000 members in Alaska, California, Arizona, Washington and Wyoming.
Among the highlights of Nuvision’s suite of services are:
1. Digital and Mobile Banking
2. Online Bill Payments
3. Business Services & Business Lending
4. Shared branches/ATMs, with account access at more than 5,400 credit union branches and service centers across the U.S.
5. Investment Services
6. Mortgage & Home lending
7. Complete Lending Products & Services
Nuvision, For the Life You Build!
Non-Profit Above & Beyond
Alaska Behavioral Health serves a wide range of clients of all ages who are experiencing mental health challenges. Services include mental health assessment, psychiatric evaluation, comprehensive psychiatry, primary care, individual, family and group therapy, case management, skill development, and crisis services.
Our Child & Family continuum works with more than 2000 children and families a year through our outpatient clinic and the Alaska Child Trauma Center, helping families heal and grow from traumatic events and addressing other behavioral health needs to help kids get well with their families, in their communities. Little Tykes provides wraparound services for children ages 2-5 to help them manage emotions in preparation for school. Intensive treatment programs provide all-day or afterschool services for children who are in acute distress or stepping down from inpatient care, including those experiencing eating disorders. POWER Center provides outreach, drop-in, information and referral services for homeless and at-risk transition age youth, as well as clothing, a food pantry, and daily meals. Alaska Seeds of Change serves transition age youth with vocational training and life skills training in a year-round hydroponic farm.
Our adult outpatient team provides individual and group therapy for adults. At our Peer Lounge, current or new clients can access peer support and case management services, as well as daily groups, showers, laundry and meals. Our Adult Mental Health Residential programs provide a 24/7 structured therapy environment to help clients with severe or persistent mental illness manage their symptoms. Our Cohen Military Family Clinic provides services for post 9/11 veterans and active-duty military members and their families in a military-informed clinic. Everyone struggles with mental health sometimes. At Alaska Behavioral Health, our goal is to make sure every Alaskan has access to the care they need, when they need it
Non-Profit Above & Beyond
Alaska Center for the Performing Arts, Inc. (ACPA or PAC), is a non-profit organization contracted by the Municipality of Anchorage to manage and maintain the four-theatre facility affectionately known as the PAC. ACPA hosts producing and presenting performing arts organizations, schedules and contracts space use in the building, provides production management, equipment and technical expertise, sells tickets through CenterTix, provides patron services, develops community programming and partnerships, and is the home of Broadway Alaska.
ACPA is dedicated to providing opportunities for the community to enjoy this facility through a diverse season of programming by its resident companies, Broadway Alaska, and by creating our own community programming for all ages and backgrounds. We work hard to promote and enhance the artistic endeavors of all PAC users and to provide a welcoming, safe, and comfortable environment for patrons.
In addition to being the proud host to 8 resident companies, Alaska Center for the Performing Arts is home to 60+ employees, the IATSE Stagehand Union Local 918, a myriad of other user groups and production technicians, 380+ volunteer ushers and anywhere from 185,000-240,000 patrons who visit the building and downtown each year.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Alaska (BBBSAK) is honored to be nominated for the Anchorage Chamber of Commerce GoldPan Award. As Alaska’s only statewide youth mentoring organization, our purpose is clear: to guide all young people on a path to their future. Through one-to-one mentoring relationships, we help Anchorage’s youth build confidence, develop essential life skills, and reach their full potential.
Our work is made possible through strong partnerships with Anchorage businesses, schools, and community organizations. As a nonprofit, we rely on the support of local leaders to fund our programs and provide the mentors and volunteers who fuel our mission. Together with our partners, BBBSAK is creating a brighter future for Anchorage’s young people and a more connected, resilient community.
Guided by our values – Nurturing Relationships, Sparking Joy, and Cultivating Belonging – we are dedicated to empowering youth through positive, stable relationships that ignite potential. By investing in today’s youth, we help shape the next generation of leaders who will contribute to a vibrant Anchorage.
We’re proud to celebrate this nomination alongside our community supporters and extend our gratitude to the Anchorage Chamber of Commerce for this recognition. With Anchorage’s continued support, BBBSAK will keep inspiring, empowering, and uplifting Alaska’s youth, providing them with the tools and confidence they need to build successful lives. Thank you for joining us in our mission to make a lasting difference across our state.
Save the date for our final Trend Alaska Fashion Show showcasing Alaskan artists and designers from across the state.
This year Trend Alaska is partnering with the Alaska Center for the Performing Arts , on their mission to evolve the Arts in Alaska and make them accessible to all.
Join us at the Performing Arts Center for a glamorous night of Alaska talent. Use the QR code and visit our website for more information on how to book tickets.
09.20.2025
Entrepreneurial Excellence
Frontier Health and Wellness LLC (FHW), founded in August 2020 by Jessica Kopischke, has rapidly become a key resource in Anchorage’s mental health landscape. Established during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, FHW responded to a critical gap in services as reduced access left Anchorage residents in urgent need of mental health support. Prioritizing safe, in-person care to address the limitations of telemedicine in mental health, FHW ensures accurate, comprehensive support for its patients. Since its inception, FHW has served over 2,000 patients, with more than 1,000 currently active.
FHW operates with a mission to deliver provider-centered services that allow clinicians to focus on delivering patient-centered care. By reducing administrative burdens, FHW’s model enables providers to see up to 25% more patients than in traditional settings, expanding the clinic’s capacity to serve the community effectively. This approach has also fostered high provider and staff satisfaction, helping to retain quality healthcare professionals within Alaska—a crucial factor in addressing the state’s mental health needs.
known for its expertise in treating high-acuity patients who might otherwise face hospitalization. By offering high quality and comprehensive outpatient care, FHW supports these patients within the community, reducing hospital admissions and enhancing continuity of care. This emphasis on preventive, community-based support, underscores FHW’s dedication to innovative, responsive mental health solutions.
FHW is deeply invested in Anchorage’s well-being, supporting local initiatives and engaging in youth mental health programs. Through educational seminars and partnerships, FHW promotes mental health awareness and provides valuable resources to the community.
itself as a vital part of Anchorage’s healthcare landscape.
Entrepreneurial Excellence
Balanced CPAs offers business and individual tax preparation, accounting, bookkeeping, and payroll services. Our specific niches are messy accounting cleanup for small businesses, and tax education for brand new small business owners. Our goal is to provide fair compensation for employees and fair value for clients. The values we live by are: life matters, character matters, quality matters, words and actions matter, relationships matter, and security matters. Each value is important to creating a healthy work and home life for our employees as well as providing our best work to our clients. Our name is our mission: to create a balance between work and life, as we thrive when balanced.
Hooman for Hire is a premier, woman-owned Professional Pet Service agency dedicated to enriching the lives of Alaska’s pet families. Based in Anchorage and servicing a 50-mile radius, we specialize in offering personalized services that cater to each pet’s unique needs. Our commitment to quality care stems from a deep respect for animals and an unwavering passion for nurturing their well-being.
What sets Hooman for Hire apart is our emphasis on safety, comfort, and reliability. We understand the importance of trust when it comes to caring for beloved pets, which is why our team prioritizes open communication and transparency with every family we serve. We are proud to contribute to a community of empowered women entrepreneurs in Alaska, providing a model of leadership and ambition within our industry we hope will inspire future generations of women business owners.
At Hooman for Hire, community engagement is more than a mission statement; it’s an ongoing commitment. We take pride in supporting local animal welfare organizations, promoting responsible pet ownerships and caretaking, and fostering a connected network of pet families across the region .With every walk, visit, and service, we strive to build lasting relationships that not only enhance the lives of our clients and their pets but also strengthen the community as a whole.
Business Excellence
Locally Grown Restaurants is a group of Alaskan-owned, award-winning restaurants whose passion is connecting people through great dining experiences and creative cuisine. Inspired by classic dishes and fresh ingredients from local farms and purveyors, our restaurants serve meals to savor and good times to remember. Our restaurants include Snow City Cafe, Spenard Roadhouse, South Restaurant + Coffeehouse, and Crush Bistro, each offering a unique environment and menu. Over the years, we’ve won awards for Best Brunch, Best Cocktail Menu, Best Restaurant, and Best Waitstaff, among others.
Giving back to our community is an important part of our mission. We love Anchorage, and we regularly donate to charitable causes and work to raise awareness of local non-profits such as: Identity, Inc., 4A’s Alaska, Food Bank of Alaska, Children’s Lunchbox, and Beans Cafe. We also do school supply and clothing drives for our neighborhood schools.
We love to celebrate! We partner with Visit Anchorage and Anchorage Downtown Partnership each summer to put on the West End Block Party – a huge street party for the community. We also celebrate our team with fun staff events throughout the year.
Our team plays a huge role in our success. Across our family of restaurants, we work hard to attract, hire, and train a diverse group of people who are friendly, energetic, and hardworking. We encourage growth and offer opportunities for career development. We’re proud to say that many of our 200+ employees have been part of our team for years.
We pride ourselves on great service, excellent food and drink, and creating spaces for community togetherness. We look forward to seeing you soon at one of our restaurants!
NMS is Alaska’s most trusted provider of essential support services, including security, food service, janitorial, facilities maintenance, and remote camp services. Simply put, NMS takes care of people— protecting, feeding, cleaning, and maintaining as they work behind the scenes to support many of Alaska’s best-known brands and institutions. Founded 50 years ago to serve remote camps during the construction of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline, NMS has since grown into a company that operates across all regions of Alaska and in eight states across the U.S.
Celebrating its 50th anniversary, NMS remains rooted in Alaska Native heritage, with ownership by NANA North and a strong commitment to hiring and developing Alaska Native talent. Today, NMS is the largest employer of NANA shareholders, supporting hundreds of families throughout the state.
NMS’s culture of care extends to all employees, with benefits and growth opportunities that make it one of Alaska’s best places to work. Its industry-leading retention rates reflect a work environment where employees are valued, supported, and encouraged to advance, with many entry-level hires growing into leadership roles. Through innovation, adaptability, and dedication to service, NMS has built a legacy as resilient and diverse as Alaska itself. Looking to the future, NMS remains committed to building sustainable, meaningful careers and delivering reliable, essential services that strengthen Alaska’s communities and economy.
ANC 907
Business Excellence
In 2007, Brother’s Jason & Jeremy Kimmel opened Peppercini’s Deli & Catering in the University Center. From the get go, it was obvious that Anchorage embraced this budding restaurant which was the first to offer large scale Fast Casual Catering in Anchorage. Peppercini’s Crew has always strived to have a personal connection with our customers and our restaurant in the University Center (and for a couple of years JBer) was a staple in the Anchorage lunch scene. Catering has always been an integral part of Peppercini’s business and catering sales continue to grow every year. In 2019, after 12+ years in the University Center, Peppercini’s made the move to a brand new midtown building and closed up the sandwich shop, focusing strictly on catering for groups.
Peppercini’s new home is a 5,000 square foot incredible kitchen facility that greatly increased our capacity to cater for more events & larger groups. Pepp Catering now employs 27 people and our crew is much more of a family than a group of co-workers. Our team misses the daily interaction with our lunchtime deli crowd, but the growth that Peppercini’s has seen over the past 18 years is what drives our passion. We cater at over 100 different locations every month and we feel like we eventually get to work with most every business in Anchorage. From Portage to Willow, and everywhere in between, Peppercini’s family of hard working caterers delivers quality Food & Service throughout SouthCentral Alaska.
Our team takes great pride knowing that we have been part of the “Big Day” for over 300 couples getting married. We love the fact that we cater 25 holiday parties on JBer annually and are able to give back to Anchorage’s military community. We strive to provide the best value in our industry and it means the world to all of us that we were able to provide discounted/donated food and service to over 75 worthy organizations over the past year. 18 years under our belt and we are just getting started, we can not wait to see you soon....
GCI is proud to support
Past Winners
2023
Business Excellence:
LifeMed Alaska
Community Service Large:
Alaska Military Youth Academy
Community Service Small:
Wilderness Adventures for Kids Everywhere
Entrepreneurial Excellence: Alaska Chip Company
Non-Profit Above & Beyond:
Hospice of Anchorage
Volunteer of the Year: Logan Burt
Chairman’s Award: Bruce Bustamante
2022
Business Excellence: Chugach Alaska Corp
Community Service Large: Nuvision Credit Union
Community Service Small: Zip Kombucha
Entrepreneurial Excellence: Aspire Realty
Non-Profit Above & Beyond: S.T.A.R.
Volunteer of the Year: Laura Dean
President’s Award: Tim Thompson
2021
Business Excellence:
Channel 2 / CBS 5
Community Service Large: Matson
Community Service Small:
Anchorage Downtown Partnership
Entrepreneurial Excellence:
Alaska Disinfection Services
Volunteer of the Year:
Tana Skye Nevada
President’s Award:
Joy Merriner
2020
Business Excellence: TOTE Maritime
Community Service Large:
ConocoPhillips Alaska
Community Service Small: Alaska Skylar Travel
Entrepreneurial Excellence: Alaska Premier Auctions & Appraisals
Volunteer of the Year:
Tito Muñoz
2019
Business Excellence:
Alaska Regional Hospital
Community Service Large: 49th State Brewing Company
Community Service Small: BOMA Anchorage
Entrepreneurial Excellence: Alaska Hearing & Tinnitus Center
Volunteer of the Year:
Cassie Robertson
You're invited to ...
Nominate A Hero Today!
The Red Cross of Alaska is seeking nominations for the 2025 Real Heroes Awards to recognize those who have done something extraordinary over the past year.
Did you take part in a wilderness rescue over the summer?
Have you witnessed a good Samaritan saving a life in the past year? Do you know someone that works tirelessly each and every day for the benefit of Alaska communities?
Scan the QR code to submit your nomination today.
The Anchorage Chamber of Commerce is a non-profit business organization with nearly 800 members representing roughly 40,000 employees. Membership in the Anchorage Chamber signals your commitment to your personal success, the success of your business and/or organization and to the quality of life in Anchorage. Help “advance a successful business climate” with the Anchorage Chamber through Advocacy, Education, and Connectivity.
The Anchorage Chamber recognizes all 2024 Gold Pan finalists and all of you who work to make Anchorage a better place to live, work and do business.
THANK YOU, 2024 GOLD PAN PLANNING COMMITTEE
Ashley Ebnet - Chair
Charissa Habeger
Cameron Morrison
Karen Lane
Erica Schneider
TIER I CHAMBER LEVEL MEMBERS:
Alaska Airlines, Inc.
Matson
Atwood Foundation
TIER II EXECUTIVE LEVEL MEMBERS:
Airbnb
Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium
Alaska Regional Hospital
Alyeska Pipeline Service Co.
Anchorage School District
Chugach Alaska Corporation
CIRI
ConocoPhillips Alaska
FedEx Express
First National Bank Alaska
Furniture Enterprises of Alaska
Global Credit Union
Nuvision Credit Union
Providence Alaska Medical Center
Safeway, Inc.
Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.
ANCHORAGE CHAMBER STAFF
Kathleen McArdle President/CEO
Tosha Swan Pereira
Chief Operations Officer
Brooklynn Spooner Events Manager
THANK YOU, VENDORS:
Anchorage Opera
Bovey Trophies
Dena’ina Civic & Convention Center
Landsick Media, LLC
IMIG Audio/Video
Photo Emporium
Logistics, LLC
THANK YOU, GAMES OF GIVING DONORS
Alaska Airlines
Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center
Alyeska Resort
Broadway Alaska
The Hotel Captain Cook
Phillips Cruises and Tours
Snowy Berry Cafe
CONNECT WITH US!
Share photos of you and your guests, send kudos to the nominees and winners, and share your Broadway-inspired attire via social media. Be sure to tag @anchoragechamber and use the hashtag #GoldPan2024.
ENTERTAINMENT SPONSOR:
OFFICIAL TOAST SPONSOR:
KARAT GOLD:
18 KARAT GOLD:
LLEARN EARN
ABATE OF ANCHORAGE INC. WAS FOUNDED WITH THE MISSION OF EDUCATING ALASKA ABOUT OUR MOTORCYCLE COMMUNITY AND TRAINING ALASKA’S MOTORCYCLE COMMUNITY.
