When Jonathan Dalrymple became CEO of Chugach Alaska Corp. in 2025, he wasn’t content to continue with business as usual. Instead, Dalrymple reoriented Chugach toward long-term operational resilience, aligning leadership around a 5-year roadmap focused on unifying the enterprise and strengthening its future.
Operating profit more than doubled over 24 months.
In the spotlight below, Dalrymple, a finalist for WashingtonExec’s Chief Officer Awards on June 2 in the Private & Public Company CEO of the Year (annual revenue greater than $500 million) category, discusses how the efforts at Chugach deliver better results and make the company easier for customers to work with. He also dives into what’s next for Chugach and why anyone who wants career growth needs to seek out challenges.
What key achievements did you have in 2025/2026?
When I stepped into Chugach Alaska Corporation’s (Chugach) CEO role in 2025, one of my immediate priorities was strengthening how we operate as a unified enterprise. Over the past year, we aligned our leadership team around a clear five-year strategic roadmap focused on disciplined growth, diversification and long-term resilience. That gave us a more consistent framework for decision-making and investment across the organization.
We also took meaningful steps to expand our capabilities. Through targeted acquisitions and investments, particularly within our commercial and investment portfolios, we’ve broadened our technical depth and positioned the company to support a wider range of customer needs across energy, infrastructure and mission support.
Another important focus was improving how customers and partners engage with us. We launched a modernized digital platform designed to make it easier to understand our capabilities and connect with the right parts of the business.
Taken together, these efforts are about making Chugach easier to work with, more resilient as an organization, and better positioned to deliver for our customers. Altogether, we have more than doubled operating profit in 24 months through these initiatives.
What are your primary focus areas going forward, and why are those so important to the mission?
Going forward, Chugach’s focus is on execution and maintaining discipline as we grow organically and via strategic acquisitions. We are intentionally acquiring talent and capabilities to align with the national defense strategy.
One priority is continuing to improve enterprise clarity. We operate across multiple industries and geographies, and it’s important that customers and partners can easily understand how to engage with us and access our capabilities.
We’re also focused on building a more resilient and diversified portfolio. That includes continuing to pursue strategic acquisitions and investments, but in a way that strengthens our core capabilities and aligns with long-term demand rather than short-term growth.
Finally, we maintain a strong emphasis on performance and accountability, particularly in support of federal missions. That means consistently demonstrating value through disciplined execution, transparency and measurable outcomes. At the end of the day, these priorities ensure we remain a reliable, capable partner in complex operating environments.
What is your best career advice for those who want to follow in your footsteps?
I’d say the most important thing is to relentlessly broaden your perspective by taking on the most challenging roles in the most challenging places. Strive to be the most customer-centric person in the room, with a deep understanding about how your business works. It’s one thing to be strong in your functional area, but the ability to connect strategy, operations and results is what really sets leaders apart.
I also think it’s important to get comfortable operating in complex environments. Most organizations are dealing with competing priorities and constant change. The ability to bring clarity, align teams and keep moving forward is an invaluable skill.
And finally, network with intent to help others find their path or their next assignment. Do this consistently and surround yourself with those who are better than you in some way. Follow through on your commitments to your customers, partners and allies. People pay attention to what you do over the long-term, not just what you say in the moment.
What is something about you that most people do not know?
I’ve always had a strong interest in travel, particularly to places that are a bit off the beaten path. I find that experiencing different environments and cultures gives you a perspective that’s hard to gain any other way. Every time I come home I am then reminded that we have the privilege to live in the greatest country on earth, and it grounds me in the mission of our great nation.
