Akima Management Services, a subsidiary of NANA Development Corp., operates at 11 U.S. Air Force bases across the country. The addition of Pegasus, which will operate as an Akima subsidiary, allows the company to add aircraft maintenance to the mix.

Carlos Nelson and Roy Ardern founded Pegasus in 2000, fixing cargo planes at Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport. The company handles more than 80 percent of the weekly air cargo stops in Anchorage.

In 2007, Pegasus was named Alaska Small Business of the Year.

"This is a momentous day for Pegasus, its customers, Roy and myself," said Nelson. "Akima has the resources to let us grow the way that we had planned. This will allow us to grow, train and hire Alaska Natives and expand to the Lower 48 markets."

Pegasus employees Nelson, George Monks, Joseph Zerck and Kyle Weber will continue working with the company in Anchorage. Ardern will leave the company to spend time with his family and do missionary work in Latin America.

Pegasus employees would not see "significant changes" in the daily operations, Akima said in a written release.

Akima Management was formed in 1995 to provide support services under federal contracts. The company in 2003 was established as a management holding company that has 11 subsidiaries. Many of those companies are certified 8(a) through the Small Business Administration's small, disadvantaged business program. Akima as a whole has 3,500 employees.

"We see this as a win-win combination," said David Marquez, vice president and chief financial officer for NANA Development Co. "The companies are very similar, but each will compliment the other."

The announcement was made Oct. 1 during an afternoon barbecue. Among those present were Akima Management's Edward Morris, Daniel Melchior and Neil Cooksey.

Most of NANA's management and board of directors also was on hand, offering speeches about how the company will expand its plan of operations in the Lower 48 and beyond.

"These two companies are a good match because they have the same core values: customer care and mutual respect," said Cooksey.

Cooksey said that while Akima specializes in airfield services and fueling, Pegasus focuses on maintenance and aircrew customer service.

NANA management talked of shareholder opportunities, and continuing the business plan set out by Nelson and Ardern.

"Who knows where this will end up," said Marquez. "The sky's the limit for this company."

Also on hand was gubernatorial candidate Bob Poe, who acted as a mediator in the negotiations between Pegasus and Akima. Poe is the former executive director of the Anchorage Economic Development Corp. and has worked for state government in various capacities.

"I fielded a host of phone conversation from both Roy and Carlos, and helped keep the peace during the process," said Poe.

Rob Stapleton can be reached at

rob.stapleton@alaskajournal.com.