I am UAA: Kim Reitmeier '94, B.A. Business Administration

Kim Reitmeier, UAA class of '94, is a lifelong Alaskan and Sugpiaq Alutiiq of Kodiak, Island. She grew up in Anchorage with a very active family; Kim and her mother raced dog teams together, and she later graduated to larger animals and began riding in equestrian competitions.

Kim started working for her father's company when she was in seventh grade. "I loved the office environment, the collaborations and new experiences each day brought," said Kim. She continued to work for the company each summer, rotating through departments. She worked on various projects, giving her a real worldview of life after college and what might be the best career field for her. "I had incredible mentors along the way, and that made all the difference in the world," said Kim.

After graduating from high school Kim left the state to attend her first two years of college in Colorado. "I loved the experience, but decided to come home and finish my degree here," she said. "I knew UAA had a great business program, so I felt very confident in my decision to return home."

Since graduating from UAA with a bachelor's in Business Administration, Kim has worked as director of Alaska Heritage Tours for CIRI Alaska Tourism; she recently joined the Providence Alaska Foundation Board of Directors and is an avid supporter of United Way. Kim is also a recipient of the Alaska's Top Forty Under 40 award and is a 2005 Inductee to the Athena Society. She joined Alyeska Pipeline Service Company eight years ago and currently serves as chief of staff to the president.

Kim explained that a major challenge for Alyeska and the North Slope oil producers is a declining volume of oil flowing through the pipeline. "One of my responsibilities is to ensure that our owners and Alyeska are working together and understand the challenges with lower flow rates across the entire transportation system in Alaska," said Kim. "We are essentially in uncharted territory with the current throughput rates, and that requires a new approach to how we operate and maintain the system."

Anchorage is about community, and Kim believes wholeheartedly that UAA is a big part of that community. "Anchorage is an amazing place with even more dynamic people. If you think the landscape is breathtaking, start talking to the people who made this state what it is today," she said. "UAA does a tremendous effort with lectures and utilizing statewide resources -- its people."

The friendships Kim developed while at UAA are still strong. "When my friends and I get together we often reminisce about the challenging classes or group projects we had together," she said. Though most importantly, Kim appreciated the professionalism the professors brought forward in the classroom. She believes that having a strong university system in our community is essential to move Alaska's economy forward.

Nowadays, Kim and her family attend lecture series, hockey games and donate every year. "My husband and I both have our M.B.A. from UAA so it's very important to us to give back to the University." Though looking back, Kim's greatest advice would be to "Have fun! Soak in every possible moment and surround yourself with positive people."