Chugach Alaska Corporation named  Alaska Chamber’s 2026 Large Business of the Year 

Recognition reflects Chugach’s growth, investment in Alaska, and position for the state’s next generation of opportunity

Anchorage, Alaska — Chugach Alaska Corporation (Chugach) has been named the Alaska Chamber’s 2026 Rita Sholton Large Business of the Year, recognizing an Alaska company with deep roots in the state and a growing role in its economic future. 

Chugach CFO Angie Astle accepted the award Oct. 15 at the Alaska Business Summit at Alyeska Resort in Girdwood. The award honors companies with more than 100 Alaska employees that demonstrate industry leadership and sustained community involvement. 

“This recognition says something important about where Chugach is today and where we are headed,” Astle said. “We are an Alaska company competing at a national level, investing here at home and positioning ourselves for the opportunities emerging across Alaska and the Arctic. We want Chugach to be a place where talented people build meaningful careers in Alaska, and a company that uses its success to create lasting value for our shareholders and our state.” 

Chugach employs nearly 1,000 Alaskans and approximately 5,000 people worldwide. It has ranked among the top 10 Alaska-owned companies on the Alaska Business Top 49ers list for 28 consecutive years. 

Across the state, Chugach companies support national defense, energy, infrastructure and maritime missions, drawing on decades of experience in remote, cold-weather and coastal environments. That work includes a decade supporting missile defense at Fort Greely, nearly a decade supporting space operations at Clear Space Force Station and more than three decades supporting U.S. Coast Guard systems and maritime missions. Chugach’s Alaska commercial businesses provide energy, industrial, mechanical, and oil spill prevention and response services statewide. These capabilities position Chugach to help meet growing demand for Arctic defense, energy, infrastructure and maritime readiness. 

Chugach is expanding that platform through strategic acquisitions. Since 2024, the company has acquired five Alaska-founded businesses, adding capabilities while keeping those companies rooted in the communities where they were built. The goal is a stronger Alaska-based enterprise that can serve major energy, infrastructure and industrial projects across the state. 

“There is tremendous opportunity ahead for Alaska,” said Chugach Commercial Holdings President Gwen Welch. “The Arctic’s growing strategic importance, expanding infrastructure needs and continued investment in our state create opportunities for Alaska companies that have the people, experience and capacity to deliver. We are building those capabilities at Chugach, both by growing our existing businesses and by investing in strong Alaska companies that complement them.” 

The Summit also brought together Alaska business and government leaders, including U.S. Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum and Congressman Nick Begich, for discussions focused on strengthening Alaska’s investment climate and advancing opportunities in energy, infrastructure, resource development and the Arctic. 

That growth has a broader purpose. Chugach is owned by more than 3,000 Alaska Native shareholders with ties to the Chugach region, and its business performance supports shareholder benefits, education, cultural preservation, community investment and long-term economic opportunity. 

Chugach also advocates for policies and investments that strengthen opportunities for Alaska Native people, Alaska businesses and communities. The company brings Alaska perspectives to policymakers in Washington, D.C., on issues including federal contracting, responsible development, infrastructure, national defense and the Arctic. 

Over the past decade, Chugach has contributed more than $13 million to community organizations. For 15 years, Chugach employees, shareholders and families have fielded the largest and top-fundraising team at the Alaska Run for Women, raising more than $200,000 for breast cancer research and awareness. In June, Chugach broke ground on Village in the City, a new Anchorage campus that will house the future Chugach Museum alongside space for education, wellness, cultural programming and community connection. 

“Strong companies create a multiplier effect,” said President Katherine Carlton. “When Chugach performs well, we can invest in our people, grow Alaska businesses, support our communities, advocate for the issues that matter to Alaska and create greater opportunities for our shareholders and descendants. This award reflects the work of thousands of people across Chugach who are building a stronger company and a stronger Alaska.”