ANCHORAGE, Alaska – The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Alaska District Office announces the winners of the 2025 National Small Business Week in the following categories: SBA Alaska Small Business Person of the Year 2025, SBA Alaska Woman-Owned Small Business Person of the Year 2025, and SBA Alaska Veteran-Owned Small Business Person of the Year 2025.
Each year since 1963, the President of the United States has issued a proclamation calling for the celebration of National Small Business Week. National Small Business Week is set on the first week in May, and this year the dates are May 4 – May 10. National and local events are planned throughout the nation.
“Congratulations to the 2025 SBA Alaska National Small Business Week Award Winners! Your hard work, innovation, and resilience fuel Alaska’s economy and keep our communities strong. You are the heartbeat of our state’s success,” said SBA Pacific Northwest Regional Administrator Apollo Fuhriman.
The following are the 2025 SBA Alaska National Small Business Week Award Winners:
SBA Alaska Small Business Person of the Year 2025
Christine Hopkins, ASCI Federal Services, LLC
Anchorage, Alaska
“Being recognized as the 2025 Small Business Person of the Year for Alaska is a profound honor. What makes it especially meaningful is that the nomination came from others who witnessed our resilience and determination,” said ASCI Federal Services President/CEO Christine Hopkins. “This recognition validates every hard lesson, calculated risk, and strategic pivot we’ve taken to evolve and grow. At ASCI, we’re not just building a business—we’re building lasting impact. Our mission has always been to inspire and cultivate people and businesses so they can thrive. With every challenge we’ve faced, we’ve done just that: helped others—and ourselves—Deliver and Thrive.”
SBA Alaska Woman-Owned Small Business Persons of the Year 2025
Jennifer Gordon and Jessica Johnson, Blue Market AK
Anchorage, Alaska
“I am thrilled to be recognized for this award alongside Jess Johnson, my indispensable and dynamic partner whose dedication to living the locavore life and unwavering commitment to food sustainability in our community makes Blue Market AK truly unique. Jess encourages me while stretching my perspective, as we straddle the two worlds of local foods and sustainable practices in running our refillery,” said Blue Market AK Co-Founder and Community Engagement Manager Jen Gordon. “I have so much gratitude and love for Jess, who believed in our vision and jumped in head-first with me to make this dream come true.”
“So very grateful to share this award with Jen Gordon, an incredible woman of vision and passion for community, who strives every day for a world free from the plastic waste that plagues us,” said Blue Market AK Co-Founder and Operations & Business Manager Jess Johnson. “Thank you and heaps of love (not landfill!) to my co-parent in nurturing this quintessential ‘local-grown’ business of a ‘mom & mom’ neighborhood grocery store.”
SBA Alaska Veteran-Owned Small Business Person of the Year 2025
Maria E. Kampsen, Alaska Testlab, LLC
Anchorage, Alaska
“I am incredibly honored to be named SBA’s 2025 Veteran-Owned Small Business person of the Year for Alaska. Alaska Testlab and I are committed to serving the community through the team’s hard work and dedication and appreciate the recognition,” said Alaska Testlab President/Senior Engineer Maria Kampsen. “The future is bright for Alaska Testlab, and we look forward to what’s to come in the years ahead!”
“During National Small Business Week, we proudly celebrate Alaska’s entrepreneurs,” said SBA Alaska Acting District Director Erica Rivera. “The nominations we received this year—from Small Business Person of the Year to Woman-Owned Small Business of the Year, and Veteran-Owned Small Business of the Year—are a powerful testament to the ingenuity and tenacity of Alaska’s small business owners. They are the backbone of our economy—creating jobs, driving innovation, and strengthening our communities. We are proud to recognize their achievements and remain committed to supporting their continued success. Congratulations to all the 2025 SBA Alaska Small Business Award winners—you embody the spirit of entrepreneurship and reflect the strength and diversity of Alaska’s small business community.”
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About the U.S. Small Business Administration
The U.S. Small Business Administration helps power the American dream of business ownership. As the only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow, expand their businesses, or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov.The SBA
The Alaska District Office serves the state of Alaska with office location in Anchorage.