UAA celebrates 2018 Alumni of Distinction

by Matt Jardin | October 3, 2018

2018 UAA Alumni of Distinction award recipients (from left): Alumni Humanitarian Josie Wilson, Alumni of Achievement Jennifer Thompson and Alumni Emerging Leader Jason Hart.

Each fall, the UAA Alumni Association celebrates three Alumni of Distinction for their contributions to their chosen fields and community. Read more about this year's award recipients, who will be recognized at the Homecoming Breakfast on Friday, Oct. 12, at Lucy Cuddy Hall.

Jennifer Thompson Alumni of Achievement President and CEO, Thompson & Co. Public Relations

2018 Alumni of Achievement award recipient Jennifer Thompson, president and CEO of Thompson & Co. Public Relations. (Photo courtesy of Jennifer Thompson)

Family is the cornerstone of Thompson's business philosophy. Starting as an intern at Anchorage PR agency Bernholz and Graham in 1999, she worked to become president and CEO in 2006 and purchased the firm in 2009, renaming it Thompson & Co. as it's known today. Under her leadership, the business has grown from four employees to 24 and has added offices in other parts of the country. But more importantly to Thompson, she's built a company where family wellness, personal growth and collaboration are woven into the corporate culture. Read the full story.

Josie Wilson Alumni Humanitarian M.B.A. Business Administration '09 Director of strategic communications, HDR Inc.

2018 Alumni Humanitarian award recipient Josie Wilson, director of strategic communications at HDR Inc. (Photo by James Evans / University of Alaska Anchorage)

Originally from southern California, Wilson relocated to Anchorage for a yearlong work assignment managing UAA's food and beverage program. She stayed when she fell in love with the university and the community and has been giving back ever since. Her philanthropic efforts are as wide ranging as her interests, which include playing violin for patients at Alaska Regional Hospital, founding leadership programs for the Anchorage Chamber of Commerce, and raising $11 million to expand Alaska's only family homeless shelter, just to name a few. Read the full story.

Jason Hart Alumni Emerging Leader B.B.A. Management '07, M.B.A. General Management '10 Clinical practice manager, Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium

2018 Alumni Emerging Leader award recipient Jason Hart, clinical practice manager at Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium. (Photo by James Evans / University of Alaska Anchorage)

With the passing of his mother at the age of 12, Hart felt compelled to make health care for Alaska Natives better. After serving for seven years in the Air National Guard, he worked to become clinical practice manager at Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium. In addition, he took on the responsibilities as acting vice president of medical and multi-specialty clinics at the Alaska Native Medical Center, where he oversees more than 20 clinics, including cardiology, neurology, pulmonology, internal medicine and oncology. Read the full story.

Written by Matt Jardin, UAA Office of University Advancement