bread and butter of what AkMin does. Simply put, without Brian, things just wouldn’t click. Then there’s Tim. He’s been side- by-side with Mike Sr. since the '90s and, while he’s transitioned into more seasonal work lately, he’s still a core part of the AkMin family. New hires are often told, “If you can keep up with Tim, you’re doing just fine.” The man is a machine—unstoppable, experi- enced, and the longest-serving em- ployee at the company. Alaska Minerals wouldn’t be the same without him— he’s an AkMin O.G.! Inside the office, Kirsten Lane keeps the wheels turning. As the office manager, she juggles everything from invoicing, cost-analysis, entering and processing payroll, organizing gro- ceries and flights as well as tracking receipts, and even making sure every jobsite has what it needs. She’s the mother we didn’t know we all needed. If it’s happening behind the scenes, Kirsten’s got it covered. Some consider her the calm in the storm while others say she is the storm. But with that storm, she’s managing a whirlwind of logistics with a steady hand and sharp eye. And then there’s the story of “the Ukies,” [pronounced: YOU-keys] as the team fondly calls them. One day, out of the blue, a guy walked in looking for work. His name was Dmytro “Dima” Bondar, and the impromptu interview was a little surreal. Four of the AkMin crew stood around peppering questions at a man with a bachelor’s and multi- ple master’s degrees. It was clear who the smartest person in the room was. Still, Dima didn’t bat an eye. He took a chance on AkMin, and the com- pany struck gold. He’s the real deal— sharp, hardworking, humble, and full of common sense. So when Dima said he had two friends he’d love to bring in, it was an easy yes. Enter Serhii 1 and Serhii 2 (yes, that’s what they go by around the shop). Like Dima, they came from Ukraine and quickly proved themselves to be exceptional workers—disciplined, driven, and full of heart. When Dima first showed up, he’d been living in Dutch Harbor, working in a fish plant while trying for years to secure a visa. He was just days away from heading back to Ukraine when
Multi-Generational Miners: Alaska Minerals
Brian Houglum, left, and Dmytro “Dima” Bondar pack a camp going to a jobsite.
them build a path to citizenship. Because at the end of the day, Alas- ka Minerals isn’t just about logistics and setting up camps. It’s about peo- ple. And these are the kind of people who make coming to work every day feel like coming home. Tell us a little about your history: How has the company and your business evolved? When you think of remote Alas- ka, “comfort” probably isn’t the first word that comes to mind. But for 40 years now, that’s exactly what Alaska Minerals has been delivering—cozy, fully equipped camps in some of the most far-flung corners of the state. From the rain-soaked panhandle to the windswept edges of the Aleutian Islands, from southcentral forests to the frozen terrain north of the Arctic Circle, if it’s remote, odds are AkMin has been there. CONTINUED on PAGE 32
the war broke out, buying him a little more time—and eventually, a new opportunity with AkMin. The team at Alaska Minerals is more than just coworkers—we’re a tight- knit group of co-workers bound by trust, camaraderie, and mutual respect. Many of the seasonal workers are hunting buddies of Mike Sr., and while some employees are family by blood, the rest are considered family (albeit a bit dysfunctional!). After working alongside the Ukrai- nians for six months, Mike Sr., Mi- chael, Brian, Tim and Kirsten sat down to talk about their future. These guys weren’t just employees anymore. They were part of the AkMin family. We love the UKies so deeply, that when the opportunity came to sponsor their visas and keep them here in America, it truly touched us. It was one of those rare moments where pride, gratitude and emotion all hit at once – and yes, there were definitely a few tears. And so, the decision was unanimous: the compa- ny would sponsor their visas and help
Michael Smith, Kirsten Lane and Mike Smith at the AMA Convention.
Serving Alaska's miners for over four decades
or Tim Dugenia — both cornerstones of the operation. Brian’s been with the company for nearly two decades, serving as the operations manager and keeping things running like clockwork at their Wasilla base, affectionate - ly known as Buttercup. It’s here that camps are packed, gear gets sorted, and projects are launched across the state. Brian also heads up a lot of field installations, which are the true
frailty and being built like a porcelain doll, he’s moved away from working in the field doing camp installations to overseeing the paperwork side of things. And while he’s not technically a Jr., that’s what everyone calls him — a nickname he’s never loved but hasn’t been able to shake. If you’ve worked with AkMin for any length of time, you’ve like- ly crossed paths with Brian Houglum
How long have you been in business, who founded the company and who are the leaders now? Alaska Minerals — or AkMin, for shorthand — was founded back in 1985 by Mike Smith, a true hands-on operator who still oversees nearly every detail of the business. These days, he’s got backup. His son, Michael, has tak- en on much of the day-to-day heavy lifting, but only in the office. Due to his
31
30
The Alaska Miner
Summer 2025
www.AlaskaMiners.org
Made with FlippingBook - professional solution for displaying marketing and sales documents online