UAA College of Business and Public Policy

The College of Business and Public Policy's Tom Case 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. To begin the program, each student protégé interviewed their new mentor.

Today’s featured protégé/mentor interview is Teresa Hyun Lee, and her mentor Josh McIntyre, Financial Controller, Great Bear Petroleum.

1 Where are you from? How did you decide to pursue a career in Alaska?  
Mr. McIntyre was originally from Kentucky and moved to Alaska when he was fourteen. He went to high school in Alaska. He went to college in Colorado and studied engineering. After a year, he went back to Alaska and attended UAA. While he was going to UAA, he switched his major from engineering to accounting. He had internship with Mikunda, Cottrell & Co., the predecessor of BDO, while in school. He continued his internship and got an offer from the company.

2 Where did you go to college? What did you study in college? 
Mr. McIntyre studied BA accounting at UAA.

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? 
Mr. McIntyre’s father was a CPA. He already knew what it was like to be an accountant from his father’s career path before pursuing the accounting job that he has today. He also had some mentors in his professional careers who were partners of accounting firms. When he was in his mid twenties, he was a little resistant to take advice from others. However, he realized that it would be helpful for him instead of trying everything on his own.

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?
“It is very important to know Alaska’s history to understand the historical and concurrent roles of native corporations, resource development, and government. Those three actors are huge drivers of the Alaskan economy. For the state of Alaska, it is important to be aware of opportunities they have to diversify revenue sources. For example, if you look at the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report(CAFR) of the state of Alaska, multiple billions come into the state flowing through the state government on top of the military presence that does not even appear on the report.”

5 If you are a protégé and you have a mentor, what would you like to ask to your mentor? What is the most important thing to keep in mind as an accountant?
“The protégé can ask for feedback in scenarios to resolve problems. For example, I may want to ask my mentor the questions like these: ‘What would be the next step, if you would take if you are in my position?’, ‘What do you think I can do to resolve problems and advance through various issues?’, ‘How can I approach opportunities?’”

6 What is important to keep in mind as a professional in the public accounting field?
“We bill clients by the hour. Professionals are relatively expensive. Clients don't care how good you are at the job. They don't care what kind of answer you have. Good solutions with the least amount of effort is very important to excel in this field. Keep in mind to be efficient!”