About AKMA
Who We Are
The Alaska Manufacturing Association (AKMA) is the first and only statewide organization dedicated to makers, builders, and producers.
From the fisherman freeze-drying kelp in Southeast, to the CNC machinist in Fairbanks, to the food entrepreneur scaling a recipe into a retail brand — Alaska manufacturers share one thing in common: resilience.
AKMA exists to bring them together.
If Alaska is going to build a stronger economy, it has to start with the people who are actually building things.
Why We Exist
For too long, Alaska’s manufacturers have been left out of the rooms where decisions get made.
We started AKMA to change that.
What We Do
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Advocacy & Voice — representing manufacturers in conversations that shape Alaska’s future.
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Networking & Events — mixers, roundtables, and showcases where makers meet suppliers, buyers, and allies.
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Resources & Matchmaking — hands-on support for packaging, compliance, freight, and scaling.
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Community Hub — an active Slack space where questions are answered, introductions are made, and collaboration begins.
700+ manufacturers statewide. One unified voice.
Our Vision
We envision an Alaska where Made in Alaska isn’t an afterthought — it’s a cornerstone of our economy. Where products created here mean jobs, resilience, and innovation that stays right at home.
Our
Story
We didn't set out to start an association.
We set out to build a food brand.
Back in 2007, we met in Iraq while serving in the Army as air traffic controllers.
Years later, we reconnected in Alaska and co-built Elevated Oats, giving us a front-row seat to what it really takes to scale in Alaska: sourcing, freight, packaging, compliance, and scaling in one of the most isolated markets in the country.
What we learned was simple: grit isn’t enough.