2008
Board of Directors Contact Information

Rick Solie
2008 GFCC Chairman
Director - Northern Region Office for ConocoPhillips
100 Cushman Street, Suite 501
Fairbanks, AK 99701
Phone: (907) 451-0097
Email: rick.j.solie@conocophillips.com
A Letter from the Chairman
First let me thank you for the privilege of serving as
Chair for the coming year I am honored. It is my hope that the Chamber
of Commerce can provide benefits to your business through our weekly
luncheon programs, the seminars and classes we offer for our members
and the public policy issues that we speak out on.
Natural resource and mining issues will likely top our legislative
and public policy agenda this year. There are a number of ballot measures
that if passed would decimate the mining industry and other resource
related activities. The Chamber will educate its membership on these
issues and their impact on our economy. Oil & gas issues remain
important and we have been actively advocating for a business and political
climate that encourages additional oil investment and a gas pipeline
project.
This past year the Fairbanks Economic Development Corporation (FEDC)
formally separated from the Chamber; however, we remain closely linked
in our desire to promote jobs and economic development in the interior.
We will work with FEDC and other stakeholders to increase the economic
climate and prosperity of local businesses. Currently, Fairbanks ranks
14th in the state in per capita income that is unacceptable and we
will work with FEDC and other stakeholders to change that. A specific
response to is FEDC's goal of 4/4/5 - four thousand new jobs in four
years that pay $50,000 laudable goal that we will support.
To encourage those new jobs, we should focus on drivers of our economy,
which in addition to the resource areas , include the university, military
and tourism. These sectors form a foundation on which the local economy
rests..
As I mentioned at the annual luncheon, business advocacy is not rocket
science, but it does require building relationships with people and
groups that can influence our business and taking charge of our economic
future. The Chamber needs your involvement and help
.together, we can
work to make the Chamber more effective and responsive to your needs.
Again, thank you for the honor of serving you I'll be pleased to
talk to you about issues that concern you and your business or ideas
you may have for the Chamber.
Thank you,
Rick Solie
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