Alaska is truly the last frontier, but it’s not one that Duncan and Chapados can’t conquer. The two continued leading the charge on GCI’s Aleutians Fiber Project this past year as they near the completion of Phase 1 and prepare for Phase 2. In 2023, GCI gave 2.5 gig internet speeds to approximately 4,800 Alaskans while also rolling out 5G service to several communities like Fairbanks, Nome and Unalaska. It’s making strides both in connectivity and in the community. GCI continued its yearly allocation of 16 hours of paid leave for employees to volunteer at local nonprofits. The company also introduced a business resource group “Black Leaders and Allies Championing eQuality” (BLACQ) to help with professional development and the advancement of inclusivity at GCI.
What’s your position on Stanley cups (not the NHL kind)? We were using Stanleys before it was the cool, fashionable thing to do. Granted it was with the classic green and stainless-steel thermos and not a comically large tumbler in a fancy, limited-edition color. Those thermoses have been the backbone of Alaska outdoor adventures for decades.
Favorite way to de-stress? Flying, without a doubt. It’s hard to feel stressed when you can see Denali through your windshield and the majestic Alaska landscape passing hundreds of feet beneath you. It’s a beautiful thing.