A window into the 2024 UAF Business Leader of the Year
By Morrow Duszynski
Nov. 6, 2024
“Buildings tell stories,” said Tracy Vanairsdale, 2024 UAF Business Leader of the Year recipient during a planning meeting.
Tracy is the president, principle of Bettisworth North Architects and Planners Inc. and has been with the company for 27 years. She was born and raised in Fairbanks, Alaska and studied architecture at the University of Idaho. Throughout her career, she has contributed to and overseen buildings across Alaska including the UAF Wood Center, North Pole Library, Morris Thompson Cultural Center, Nome’s Northern Sound Health Corporation Training and Wellness Center, the Anchorage, Girdwood, and Ketchikan Fire Stations, to name a few.
Tracy speaks at the reveal of the UAF Rasmuson Library Student Success Center on the Troth Yeddha’ Campus.
Tracy takes a selfie with her team members on site at the FNSB Noel Wien Library renovation and addition.
While BLOY strives to convey the incredible, professional accomplishments of each awardee, the evening is about more than their career path. In order to honor the hard work, community service, educational support, and inspiration that recipients have provided Alaska, BLOY is a night to showcase the personal qualities and values of each honoree and fill the room with their biggest fans.
The UAF College of Business and Security Management has hosted BLOY for over 45 years. Each event is planned months in advance with students, staff, previous BLOY recipients and volunteers from the community. Creating a personal touch is a top priority; whether it be laying down a red carpet, implementing a barista bar, or hanging an airplane from the ceiling, the BLOY team ensures that the atmosphere stays true to the recipient, sharing their story.
To share Tracy’s story, the CBSM team has gotten many opportunities to spend time with her and get to know her on a deeper level. Earlier this spring, CBSM Dean Cameron Carlson, marketing staff, and students visited the Bettisworth North, Fairbanks office to surprise Vanairsdale with the news of her nomination. After the big reveal, she introduced CBSM to her team, gave them a tour of the office, showed models of buildings, and provided insight into her world.
BLOY Co-Chair, Ivana Lorena Smith breaks the news to Tracy, announcing her award as 2024 Business Leader of the Year.
Tracy and Ivana hug it out after the reveal.
Following the initial meetup, the BLOY Steering Committee meeting was held, hosted by former BLOY recipient, Jo Heckman. Each year, to get the ball rolling, CBSM gathers a group of staff, volunteers, students, and friends to make up the Steering Committee. The purpose of this committee is to brainstorm the initial details of the event, seeking that personal touch. The afternoon is filled with activities, conversations, and stories about the awardee to determine our goals for the BLOY event: What do we want it to feel like? What do we want to avoid? What napkin colors look best together? Cheesecake or crème brûlée?
Ivana and Tracy pose together after the Steering Committee meeting.
The Steering Committee plans the vision for BLOY 2024 at the previous recipient, Jo Heckman’s house.
Amid many Pinterest boards, decoration meetings, and dinner and dessert tastings, it is tradition that the BLOY recipient hosts a student dinner. This year, Tracy invited the CBSM team and students to her office for an evening catered by another community leader and entrepreneur, Lizzie Hartman, who goes by the moniker Alaska Lizzie. Students rotate around the table and switch seats in between courses, a tradition that Tracy implements with her team. Switching seats gave everyone the chance to interact and know each other further.
Alaska Lizzie presents her meal at the UAF BLOY Student Dinner.
UAF CBSM students stand with Tracy on the steps in the Bettisworth North Fairbanks office.
The main dish at the BLOY student dinner catered by Alaska Lizzie.
Finally, the CBSM team visits the Westmark Fairbanks Hotel to taste the evening’s meal and dessert. CBSM staff and student volunteers tasted the surf and turf and vegan/vegetarian options, various side dishes, and three to four desserts.
CBSM Director of Development and Outreach, Tammy Tragis McCook at the dessert tasting.
CBSM Engagement Manager, Mary Poe at the dinner tasting.
The BLOY award ceremony will take place on Saturday, November 16th at the Westmark Fairbanks Hotel, where the students, staff, and the Bettisworth North team will reveal their final vision.
This year’s event is sold out, but if you would like to support BLOY, there are still student tickets to sponsor, raffle tickets are available, and you may make a gift to be announced during the fundraising part of the evening. Keep your eye out for updates from CBSM and Bettisworth North, and if you are interested in getting involved in learning more, contact uaf-cbsmevents@alaska.edu.