UAA College of Business and Public Policy

The College of Business and Public Policy'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 21 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 isGregory Dutson, and his mentor, Gideon Garcia.

1 Where are you from? How did you decide to pursue a career in Alaska?  “Grew up in Seattle, but compelled to explore Alaska after a 4 hour stop over on a military flight to Japan in 1992. Came back in summer 1994 to drive a motorcoach for Holland America; got paid to tour Alaska and share the sites with guests. That summer turned into a 22 year business career in Alaska. I now drive a desk, but am still in Alaska.”

2 Where did you go to college? What did you study in college?  “I attended The Evergreen State College (Yes, “The” is capitalized) in Olympia, Washington, where I receive my BA in Liberal Arts. Studied the “Great Books”, political economy, ancient history, and ornithology. I appreciated the interdisciplinary, non-graded curriculum at Evergreen.

Eight years after graduating from Evergreen, I started a MBA program at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. Completed that in 2006 with a general management focus. It was great to get the formal business education to augment what I was doing in my daily work as a Division Manager for Holland America Tours.”

3 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?  “Yes, one of my earliest bosses, David Beagle. He taught me a great deal as a young manager, learning the science, and art, of leading people. Most importantly, he gave me room to make mistakes and learn from them, while not letting me make too serious of a mistake.”

4 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?  “Be curious and give a damn. Be curious, keep learning, and ask why. Strive to understand. Never stop investing in yourself through education, whether formal or self-directed.

Give a damn. It is easy to be selfish, to make a profit and grow without giving back to the community that you build your business on. Leaders understand that it takes a healthy, diverse community for businesses to prosper. Leaders must invest in their staff, who deliver the services or make the product; respect their clients, who pay the bills; and provide a superior return to their shareholders, who believe in the business with their investments. ”

5 CBPP will be highlighting each mentor and protégé pairing on the front of it’s website during the academic year. Do I have your permission to have this interview and our mentor/protégé pairing highlighted on the website? Is there anything else you would like to add? “Yes, you have my permission to use the interview.  Nothing to add, thanks again for the opportunity to serve as a mentor.”