Wednesday, September 12, 2007, 7:30-8:00 p.m

Presentation of the 2007 William A. Egan Alaskan of the Year Award

Phil Cochrane, BP—2007 Corporate Event Sponsor

The Celebrated and prestigious William A. Egan award is given to individuals who have made substantial and continual contributions of statewide significance while working in the private sector.  Each year, nominations are kept strictly confidential and the selection is made by the casting of a secret ballot by all past chairs of the Alaska State Chamber of Commerce.  The recipients of the Outstanding Alaskan of the Year form an impressive list of Alaskan “Who’s Who” and dates back to its first honoree in 1964.

Jim Jansen is a recognized transportation visionary.  As a second generation Alaskan businessman, his leadership, vision and dedication has taken the Lynden family of companies from being a solid trucking operation to an all-encompassing multimodal transportation provider using aircraft, boats, barges, hovercraft, specialty trucking, and global forwarding.

Lynden began with a clear mission. Put the customer first, deliver quality, and be the best at what you do. Today, Lynden’s service area has grown to include Alaska, Washington, Western Canada, with additional service extending throughout the United States and internationally, via land, sea and air. The Lynden family of some sixteen companies includes Bering Marine, Lynden Logistics, Alaska Marine Lines, Lynden Transport, Alaska West Express and Lynden Air Cargo among others.

Since 1982, Jim has served as Lynden’s Chief Executive Officer.  He began his career with Lynden in 1970 and held progressively responsible positions within the organization prior to becoming CEO.  Lynden has a culture that clearly began with Jim’s father, Hank Jansen, and continues today through Jim’s leadership.

His motto is ‘Work Hard, Give Back to your Community, and Have Fun”.  Jim is always looking for new opportunities and continues to build the company.

In Alaska, the Lynden companies are widely recognized and respected for applying the ingenuity that is mandatory for successfully operating equipment in our environment.  This ingenuity applies throughout the Lynden organization.

Long time Alaskans all know what it is to make do with what you have instead of shutting down and waiting for parts, people, or weather.  We refer to it as “duct tape” engineering.  To successfully operate equipment, and a business in Alaska, there has to be a driven work ethic and a can do attitude to keep moving forward.  Jim Jansen exemplifies this work ethic and attitude.

Success in business is not what makes him outstanding though.  What makes him outstanding is his desire to make a difference. The Lynden companies give back to the community and make a significant difference in Alaska.  In 2006, under Jim’s guidance, Lynden supported over 800 organizations throughout Alaska such as:  United Way, United States Coast Guard Foundation, Kids’ Kitchen, Kuskokwim 300, Armed Services YMCA, Komen Race for the Cure, Anchorage Concert Association, Alaska Native Heritage Center, Juneau Jazz and Classics and Ducks Unlimited.  Although Jim can be very proud of the company he helped build, he always credits others for the success.  Jim acknowledges the dedicated, hard working employees and loyal customers that have made Lynden successful. He notes, “The values and integrity that my father established will survive far beyond his and my lifetime.”

Like so many other outstanding Alaskans he is understated, opinionated, driven.  If asked, he would prefer no one nominate him for something like this partly due to his own modesty, but primarily since in order to accept this award he might have to concede a fine fall shooting day, or a rainy September day on a world-class rainbow river.

The Alaska State Chamber of Commerce is proud to award Jim Jansen the title “Outstanding Alaskan of the Year” for his remarkable service to the State of Alaska and its people.