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Leadership Fellows Spotlight: Protégé Arie Henry and mentor Chris Orheim,

Henry and Orheim

CBPP’s Leadership Fellows Program pairs high-performing CBPP students with a mentor in the Anchorage business community, giving students the opportunity to learn about real-world leadership from local business leaders. This year’s cohort includes 22 CBPP students, called protégés, and their mentors. To begin the program, each protégé interviewed their new mentor, and every week, we will feature one of these interviews with the mentors, who share their thoughts on leadership. This week’s featured protégé/mentor pairing is Arie Henry, who is pursuing his degree in management and marketing, and his mentor, Chris Orheim, who is a General Manager with Global Spectrum, which manages UAA’s Alaska Airlines Center.

Where are you from? How did you decide to pursue a career in Alaska?

I was born and raised in Washington State and have also worked in Reno, Nevada and Osh, Kyrgyzstan. I moved to Alaska July 5, 2014, to open and manage the Alaska Airlines Center. The opportunity to open a new venue in such a unique and exciting location is one that I could not pass up.

Where did you go to college? What did you study in college?

I attended Washington State University and received a Bachelor of Arts in English, with Minors in Computer Science and Business. I also have Certifications in Business Leadership and Advanced Management Practices.

Did you have anyone you relied on for mentorship/solid career advice? If yes, what is the most important leadership advice they shared with you?

There have been several people that I would call mentors. Mentorship can come from a really good employer, colleague, or friend. The best mentor I had represented all three. The most important advice that has proven itself a number of times is “Never burn your bridges.”

It is important and beneficial for CBPP and Anchorage’s business community to collaborate and invest in the next generation of leaders. What do you think should be conveyed to our next generation of leaders?

Ethics, honesty, and integrity are key to success. Loyalty has become less common with the next generation as people seek better opportunities or feel unchallenged. Communication with employers, seeking challenge and growth is important in building solid and mutually beneficial relationships.

The College of Business and Public Policy is excited to host this unique mentorship program and is grateful for our excellent protégés and for the outstanding business leaders who have chosen to participate as mentors.