GCI Communication Corp.

Thank you to Alaska's leading women in business who came together to be on a panel for our GCI Women’s Network (GWeN) Business Resource Group (BRG). Panelists Grace Greene, Heather Handyside, and Marilyn Romano shared about their personal journeys as women in primarily male-dominated spaces and how they’ve navigated their career path to be leaders in their fields. Hearing the panelists’ stories and lessons reinforces the importance of BRGs in our company and the impact of sharing personal journeys with one another. Watch below to see more from our panel. ⬇️ #WomenInBusiness #WomenEmpowerment

Our wildly ingenious team never ceases to impress. State Government Affairs Director Sara Rasmussen was recently selected to join the Alaska Support Industry Alliance Board, which represents more than 500 Alaska businesses and promotes responsible exploration, development, and production of oil, gas, and mineral resources for the benefit of all Alaskans. “Alaska would not be the state it is today without oil and gas, and we would have no oil and gas without the companies who build and support industry,” Sara shared. “It is an honor to represent GCI and be able to join in the pro-business advocacy efforts to our policy makers in Juneau with the Alliance Board of Directors.” Join us in congratulating Sara on this great achievement! Learn more about The Alliance ➡️ https://bit.ly/40m2kHp.

The Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities is ready for winter with its robot dog, Aurora! With an IP54 resistance rating, Aurora is protected from dust and splashes, making it ideal for Alaska’s challenging weather. It can withstand snow and ice, ensuring reliable operation, even in the colder months. Thanks to GCI’s Hometown 5G network, Aurora will stay connected to air traffic control at Fairbanks International Airport - FAI to share real-time data and keep runways clear and safe.

Last week we proudly celebrated Indigenous Peoples Day with our Indigenous Business Resource Group (IBRG). We were honored to welcome the Cupik and Yupik dance group Cupiit Yurartet who shared songs and dances passed down through generations, offering a powerful glimpse into living traditions. We also enjoyed an incredible performance from Indigenous artist Witty Youngman who blended traditional elements with modern sound, showing how cultural roots continue to grow and evolve. Our heartfelt gratitude goes out to the IBRG for organizing this meaningful event and for their continued efforts to foster reflection, connection, and understanding within GCI. Events like these help us appreciate and amplify the voices of Indigenous communities, whose stewardship of this land has spanned thousands of years. We are honored to share and work on this land every day, and we look forward to continuing these important conversations that deepen our understanding and connection.

At the Alaska Oil and Gas association, staying connected is essential to advancing Alaska’s oil and gas industry, and GCI has been a trusted partner for years. “We’ve been using GCI as our internet provider for as long as I can remember,” said Kara Moriarty, president and CEO of AOGA. “No business in Alaska, including ours, could function without fast, reliable, consistent internet.” From managing internal communications to public outreach and advocacy, GCI’s services are critical to AOGA’s operations. “GCI powers everything we do — from communicating with our board and committees to engaging with the public, without the internet, we don’t function. It’s just that simple,” Moriarty explained. GCI’s support extends beyond AOGA’s daily operations to their annual conference, which brings together more than 500 industry professionals, government leaders, and stakeholders. For the past eight years, GCI has powered the event, providing charging stations and partnering to create a mobile app that delivers the event agenda, speaker bios, and a platform for attendees to ask questions during panels. “The app has been a game changer,” Moriarty said. “It helps us reduce waste by eliminating printed programs. It’s just another way technology is improving the quality of our conference.” From powering AOGA’s office to elevating their signature events, GCI’s reliable, high-speed internet and mobile services have been vital to AOGA for years. Read more at ➡️ https://bit.ly/4h3KI9j.

Tourism is a major driver of Alaska’s economy, which means tourism businesses need access to the technological support they need. From managing seasonal demands to enhancing operations, GCI offers customized services that help your business stay connected and competitive year-round. As businesses gather this week at the Alaska Travel Industry Association convention, come speak with our team to learn how GCI can support your travel and tourism business with innovative solutions tailored just for you. #AlaskaTourism #TravelandTourism

"I grew up in Unalakleet, and GCI is all I’ve ever known for staying connected —whether it was our home phone, internet or cell service. Now, working here feels like a full-circle moment. GCI was my first real job, and nine years later, I’m still here. I wear those nine years like a badge of honor. Throughout my time here, I’ve worked in different retail locations, but it’s the people who motivate me. As I always say, the driving force for me to get up and go to work is the people I work with. My team feels like family, especially Lorie, my longtime mentor. She’s been by my side since day one, and her support is a huge part of my journey. There are hard days but I believe the people who are most successful are the ones who put their nose to the grindstone and face adversity head-on. That determination pushes me forward. One of my biggest sources of pride is getting to help my people. As an Alaska Native, I stay connected to my roots by helping others stay connected. GCI has set the bar high when it comes to bridging the digital divide, and I love being part of that mission. Looking ahead, I’m excited to grow into management, to take what I’ve learned and help others along the way.” Deion is a wildly ingenious Senior Customer Service Sales Specialist at GCI, proudly serving customers for the past nine years. Outside of work, he enjoys traveling with his wife and newborn son to Lakers basketball games, or gaming with friends.

“My family is from Utqiagvik and Fremont, California, which means I grew up in two vastly different hometowns. I have always been connected to Alaska which is why I chose to permanently move here when I was 16. Since joining GCI in March of 2021, I’ve had many opportunities for growth and I’m excited to continue my journey here. A particularly meaningful experience at GCI has been helping to launch the Indigenous Business Resource Group. I started as the interim co-chair and later became the chair. Last year, we held our first in-person Indigenous Peoples Day event, which was also GCI’s first company-wide event of its kind. We had dancers, great food, and it was a huge success. The Indigenous Business Resource Group has been a way for me to celebrate my culture with others and help people learn more about Alaska’s Indigenous communities. That’s important to me because Alaska has one of the highest Indigenous populations in the country, and GCI operates on lands that belong to many Native peoples. I don’t live on my homeland of Utqiagvik, but I want people to respect the land and understand its significance. Through the Indigenous Business Resource Group, we educate employees, helping them understand how they can support and respect Indigenous peoples and their lands. My job is all about connecting supply and demand, so it’s rewarding to know that what we do helps keep Alaska connected, especially in rural areas like Utqiagvik. Knowing my work helps close the connectivity gap so my younger family members and other kids in rural Alaska can access better education and opportunities is something I’m proud of.” Sarah is a Senior Demand Planner at GCI and a past chair of the Indigenous Business Resource Group. Outside of work, she enjoys reading (she’s hit her goal of reading 200 books this year!), bowling with her husband, camping, and spending time with her beloved malamute Fenris who proudly wears a GCI bandana!

The Alaska Federation of Natives (AFN) Convention is tomorrow! This annual event brings together Indigenous leaders, advocates, and community members from across the state to celebrate Alaska Native cultures, discuss important issues, and collaborate on building a brighter future for Alaska. Be sure to stop by GCI’s booth to learn more about how we’re working to strengthen connectivity and opportunities across rural Alaska. We look forward to the important discussions and partnerships ahead! #AFN2024 #AFNConvention

At GCI, we’re committed to supporting Alaska Native cultures and voices. On this Indigenous Peoples' Day, GCI honors the rich history, culture, and contributions of Alaska Native people and Indigenous communities across the state and beyond. Our Indigenous Business Resource Group is actively working to increase awareness and participation within the company, ensuring that Indigenous perspectives are represented and heard in our business and in the communities we serve. Learn more about our IBRG 👉 bit.ly/3LFnpEI. #IndigenousPeoplesDay #AlaskaNative