Anchorage Industries – Tourism & Hospitality
Adventure is Always Calling in Alaska
For more than 100 years, people have spent countless hours just trying to get to Alaska. Save yourself the hassle and make that round-trip flight a one-way ticket.
In Anchorage, you’ll be surrounded by breathtaking natural wonders. From the snow-capped peaks of the Chugach Mountains to the whale-infested waters of Cook Inlet, Anchorage is the gateway to the Last Frontier. The city offers a wealth of attractions, from glacier tours to wildlife viewing, to the iconic Alaska Railroad, Anchorage is a must-visit destination for adventure seekers and nature enthusiasts. Local businesses thrive offering experiences such as dog sledding tours, cultural heritage sites, and guided hiking expeditions.
Once you experience Anchorage, it’ll be hard to imagine living anywhere else. With its unmatched beauty, endless outdoor adventures, and vibrant local culture, Anchorage is a place that pulls you in and never let’s go.
BY THE NUMBERS
Glaciers
The number of glaciers within 50 miles of Anchorage
Trails
Anchorage has over 250 miles of trails
Million
Visitors Anchorage see each year
Ambassadors
Ward Blair
Occupation: Student Support Specialist for Indigenous Education, ASD
Industry: Public and Indigenous Education
Age: 39
Born and Raised: Dimond
Ethnicity: Aleut, Tsimshian, and Mojave
Current Profession: Indigenous Education, ASD
Currently Reside: Campbell
I choose Anchorage because: I choose Anchorage because of my family, friends, and love of sports. I enjoy playing all kinds of sports in Alaska, including hockey and softball. The beautiful summers and the abundant wildlife along the bike trails are some of my favorite aspects of Anchorage.
Tim Davis
Occupation: Teacher & Coach at West Anchorage High School
Industry: Public Education
Age: 40
Born and Raised: South Anchorage
Ethnicity: Caucasian
Current Profession: Teacher & Coach at West Anchorage High School
Currently Reside: Sand Lake, Kincaid but heart and soul of West Anchorage
I choose Anchorage because: I choose Anchorage because of my family, education, being just 5 minutes from Alaska, the small-town feel, and the strong communities.
Tanya Pont
Occupation: Executive Director of Advancement at University of Alaska, Anchorage
Industry: Philanthropic, Education
Born and Raised: Seoul, South Korea
Ethnicity: Korean-American
Current Profession: Executive Director for Advancement at the University of Alaska Anchorage
Currently Reside: Baxter
I choose Anchorage because: I choose Anchorage because of the wonderful community of people and the abundance of opportunities for my family and me.
Ralphie Quepons
Occupation: Owner/Operator, European Car Service and Owner, Rafelito's Taqueria
Industry: Manufacturing
Age: 47
Born and Raised: Tijuana Baja California & Anchorage
Ethnicity: Mexican
Current Profession: Owner/operator "European Car Service"
Currently Reside: Klatt
I choose Anchorage because: I choose Anchorage because of the demand for service on German cars.
Miljan Durdev
Occupation: Contractor and Owner of Dreamhome Construction, Food Vendor
Industry: Construction
Age: 39
Born and Raised: Serbia
Ethnicity: Serbian
Current Profession: Owner of Dream Home Construction, Boardwalk, Apolon LLC
Currently Reside: Arctic and Dimond
I choose Anchorage because: I choose Anchorage because there are lots of opportunities and great people!
Makayla Wilson
Occupation: School Based Clinician for Providence Alaska and the Anchorage School District
Industry: Mental Health Clinician and School Social Work
Age: 24
Born and Raised: Fairview in Anchorage
Ethnicity: Mexican & African American
Current Profession: Assembly Aide for Municipality of Anchorage, (Starting in August 2024: School-Based Clinician, Providence)
Currently Reside: East Anchorage
I choose Anchorage because: I choose Anchorage because the city offers a multitude of activities and ways to get involved. I am so thankful I was raised here and can actively contribute to the betterment of the community.
Lorena Blair
Occupation: Student Success Coach, Migrant Education
Industry: Indigenous and Public Education
Age: 39
Born and Raised: Anchorage, AK
Ethnicity: Caucasian, Aleut, Tsimshian, and Mojave
Current Profession: Student Success Coach
Currently Reside: Abbott Loop
I choose Anchorage because: I choose Anchorage because it's where I was born and raised. My whole family is still here, and we’re very close. I also love working for ASD and contributing to my community. It’s great to be near the outdoors, and I enjoy being involved with my culture, community, and local sports teams in the Anchorage area.
Kiana Trupp
Occupation: Real Estate Agent, Social Media and Marketing Partner
Industry: Professional & Business Services
Age: 22
Born and Raised: South Anchorage
Ethnicity: Alaska Native and Canadian
Current Profession: Realtor at Real Broker of Alaska, barista & social media manager for BB’s Coffee
Currently Reside: South Anchorage
I choose Anchorage because: I choose Anchorage because I love the people, community, energy, opportunities, and connections.
Joe Lumpkin
Occupation: Commercial Real Estate and Business Broker
Industry: Professional & Business Services, Financial
Age: 38
Born and Raised: East Anchorage
Ethnicity: Thai and African American
Current Profession: Commercial Real Estate & Business Brokering, KW Regal North Commercial
Currently Reside: Geneva Woods
I choose Anchorage because: I choose Anchorage because, as I've traveled to larger cities, I’ve grown to appreciate what Anchorage has to offer. It’s easy to network and build meaningful relationships here. With fresh air, clean water, and a healthy social climate, there are boundless opportunities to bring the best of the lower 48.
Jizel Mendoza
Occupation: Family Support Specialist
Industry: Professional & Business Services
Age: 36
Born and Raised: Airport Heights
Ethnicity: Dominican
Current Profession: Family Support Specialist, Help Me Grow Alaska (non-profit)
Currently Reside: Southside
I choose Anchorage because: I choose Anchorage because I currently live here and have been for 4 years after relocating from New Jersey in 2020. I grew up on the East side of town and have a passion for helping the youth in that district. My children are very involved in the South District, and it would be my honor to give back to the community that has poured so much into my children by advocating for them as well.
Jaron Williams
Occupation: Anchorage YMCA Staff Leader
Industry: Health and Youth Services
Age: 24
Born and Raised: Mountain View
Ethnicity: African American
Current Profession: Anchorage YMCA Staff Leader
Currently Reside: East Anchorage
I choose Anchorage because: I choose Anchorage because this is home. Anchorage has shown me so much love, and I’ve met great people here whom I consider family.
Janessa Joseph
Occupation: Engineer
Industry: Construction
Age: 24
Born and Raised: West Anchorage
Ethnicity: Alaska Native and African American
Current Profession: Engineer
Currently Reside: West Anchorage
I choose Anchorage because: I choose Anchorage because I love the diversity. I enjoy the unique outdoor lifestyle while also living in one of the hubs of Alaska.
Jake Gray
Occupation: Infectious Disease Doctor at ANTHC
Industry: Healthcare
Age: 46
Born and Raised: Brighton, England and East Anchorage
Ethnicity: British, Armenian
Current Profession: Infectious Disease Physican at ANMC, Service Chief of Internal Medicine Specialty Clinic
Currently Reside: Downtown / Girdwood
I choose Anchorage because: I choose Anchorage because it provides amazing opportunities in the most beautiful location. It’s a mountain town with city amenities.
Helena Sarcone
Occupation: Business Development Associate ACLT
Industry: Professional & Business Services
Age: 28
Born and Raised: Spenard
Ethnicity: Caucasian
Current Profession: Business Development Associate at ACLT, Lead Organizer of Spenard 2nd Saturday, Owner + Founder of Sarcone Consulting
Currently Reside: Westside
I choose Anchorage because: I choose Anchorage because of the deep, longstanding community connections.
Garrett Potter
Occupation: Business Development Manager at Calista Corporation
Industry: Oil & Gas
Age: 35
Born and Raised: West Anchorage
Ethnicity: Caucasian
Current Profession: Business Development & Risk Manager at Nordic-Calista
Currently Reside: Southside
I choose Anchorage because: I choose Anchorage because it provides access to amazing outdoor activities as well as excellent opportunities for those in oil and gas careers.
Emily Thompson
Occupation: Anchorage Firefighter, Anchorage Fire Department
Industry: Government
Age: 39
Born and Raised: West Anchorage
Ethnicity: Caucasian
Current Profession: Anchorage Fire Department, Firefighter
Currently Reside: Midtown
I choose Anchorage because: I choose Anchorage because: of the diversity and options for adventure are limitless. Girdwood is a beautiful ski town. You can drive to lakes, fishing, and mountain ranges.
Emily Quepons
Occupation: Automotive Service Writer
Industry: Manufacturing
Age: 22
Born and Raised: Anchorage, AK
Ethnicity: Mexican & German
Current Profession: Service Advisor Manger at Culmination Sports
Currently Reside: Southside
I choose Anchorage because: I choose Anchorage because of the people and local businesses.
Emily Edenshaw
Occupation: President/CEO Alaska Native Heritage Center
Industry: Government and Indigenous Studies
Age: 40
Born and Raised: Fairbanks, AK
Ethnicity: Yup'ik and Inupiaq
Current Profession: CEO/President of Alaska Native Heritage Center
Currently Reside: East Anchorage
I choose Anchorage because: I choose Anchorage because I made the decision to move here over 18 years ago after a traumatic event in my life. Today, I choose Anchorage for the opportunities it offers to make a positive impact on lives. I love this city with all my heart. I am incredibly proud to be an Alaska resident, and more importantly, I am proud to work at the ANHC and live in East Anchorage.
Chucky Williams
Occupation: Compliance Specialist at Alyeska Pipeline
Industry: Oil & Gas
Age: 44
Born and Raised: East Anchorage
Ethnicity: African American
Current Profession: Compliance Specialist / Alyeska Pipeline Service Company
Currently Reside: Eastside
I choose Anchorage because: I choose Anchorage because I was born and raised here! It’s always been home. I love the summers, and I’m not tired of the winters just yet!
Beki Toussaint
Occupation: Education Program Director for a non-profit
Industry: Education
Age: 38
Born and Raised: Colorado
Ethnicity: Caucasian
Current Profession: Education Program Director for Non Profit
Currently Reside: Abbott Loop
I choose Anchorage because: I choose Anchorage because people create "extended" families, which is great if you're far from your own. Plus, there’s excellent access to outdoor activities.
Aaron Kusano
Occupation: Radiation Oncology and Medical Director at Anchorage and Valley Radiation Therapy Centers
Industry: Healthcare
Age: 46
Born and Raised: Airport Heights
Ethnicity: Japanese
Current Profession: Radiation Oncology Physician
Currently Reside: West Anchorage / Girdwood
I choose Anchorage because: I choose Anchorage because I’m excited, like others, to be involved in making Anchorage better for everyone and to inspire the next generation of Alaskans to do the same.