Faces of Mining
Jessica Rostad Co-Owner and CEO, Big Ray’s
In each issue of The Alaska Miner, we recognize a member of our Alaska mining community, an individual who helps support our vital industry. In this issue, we are telling the story of Jessica Rostad of Big Ray's, who is continuing her own family legacy outfitting Alaskans.
What is your role and how did you get into the industry? I’m the co-owner and CEO of Big Ray’s. My dad was one of the previous owners, and the business itself was founded back in 1947 by the fathers of his two business partners — so you could say I quite literally grew up in the stores! After earning my degree from the University of Oregon, I started my career in new product develop- ment at Gerber Knives in Portland. It was an exciting role, but the pull to come back to Alaska, and to the family business, was strong. In 2012, when an assistant buyer po- sition opened at Big Ray’s, I made the move to Anchorage and joined the company. From there, I worked my way up through the business in various roles, learning the ins and outs of buying, retail operations, man- agement, and sales. In 2019, my business partner Jesse Glamann and I were fortunate to have the opportunity to become the newest owners of Big Ray’s. Who was your mentor in this industry and what did they teach you that remains true today? My dad has been my constant role model. I’ve been fortunate to watch him grow Big Ray’s/Army Navy from a relatively small sur- plus and workwear store in the 1980s into what it is today. He’s the smartest guy I know. He’s not just taught me about running a company but also about the values, patience, and resilience it takes to lead. He has helped me navigate both the challenges of running a busi- ness but also how to ensure balance between work and your life away from the office. What lessons have you learned that you want to share Alaska’s miners? My brother is an exploration
geologist, so I’ve been fortunate to hear firsthand what goes into field exploration: the challenges, the remote conditions, and the physi- cal demands. He’s often out in the field for long stretches in some of the most rugged parts of Alaska, and what’s become clear to me is how critical the right gear is. When you’re in remote environments, having clothing and equipment that keeps you comfortable, dry, and safe isn’t just a luxury, it’s the difference between staying produc -
tive and having to call it a day. That perspective has influ - enced how I think about the role our company plays in supporting Alaska’s workforce. The right gear enables people to do hard work in hard places. What would you do differently? Continuing to make it more of a priority to listen to the people who are wearing the gear we sell, our
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