Story last updated at 3/17/2010 - 12:51 pm
BP has awarded a $60,000 grant to the Alaska State Chamber of Commerce, providing major support for the new Alaska Business Week program. Phil Cochrane, Vice President for External Affairs at BP, made the award presentation at the Alaska State Chamber Legislative Fly-In event in Juneau.
Shown above are, from left, Tadd Owens Director, Government & Public Affairs Pioneer Natural Resources Alaska, Inc. and Vice Chair, Alaska State Chamber of Commerce;
Ann Ringstad, Assoc. Vice Chancellor University Relations, University of Alaska Fairbanks and Alaska State Chamber Board Member; and Phil Cochrane, Vice President, External Affairs BP Exploration (Alaska) and Alaska State Chamber Board Member.
In making the presentation, Cochrane said that BP "fully endorses Alaska Business Week as an exciting and unique way to teach young people the leadership skills that are vital to career and business success."
In accepting the donation, State Chamber Vice-Chair Tadd Owens said it marks a significant step ahead for the new educational program. "This generous contribution puts Alaska Business Week on a solid financial footing," he said. "BP has shown a strong commitment to Alaska and to our students with this gift. We're very grateful."
Chamber board member Ann Ringstad, who has directed organization of the program, says it is designed to teach students all aspects of developing and running a business. She said that 100 students will attend the first business week summer camp from August 8-14, 2010 at the University of Alaska Fairbanks.
The Alaska program is modeled after one in Washington State. Students spend an intensive week in a simulated "corporate" environment learning business, teambuilding, leadership and life skills. They become part of a small team-their company-and are challenged with real-life business scenarios through a computer simulation. The teams compete against one another as they develop mission statements, determine business strategies and make financial and ethical decisions. By the end of the week, the companies will prepare a "stockholder" presentation and produce a trade show.
Applications for Alaska Business Week are available through the Chamber website at www.alaskachamber.com.
