Matanuska Maid CEO Van Treeck Recognized by APU

ANCHORAGE – DECEMBER 6, 2006 - Each year, the Alaska Pacific University (APU) Chapter of Sigma Beta Delta selects a deserving person to confer honorary membership and an award of excellence. In 2005, Governor Sarah Palin was inducted into Alaska’s chapter of the international society for business, management and administration.

In delivering the award ceremony remarks this year, to a crowd of students, faculty and community members, Dr. Tracy Stewart asked: “Will you take the risks to develop and sustain organizations that create or improve things while respecting the environment and protecting people, both employees and consumers? Or will you say ‘that’s business’ and look the other way when corners are cut? When short term gain ignores long term harmful impact?”

Dr. Stewart then acknowledged Joseph W Van Treeck, CEO and President of Matanuska Maid, as the Sigma Beta Delta Honorary award winner for 2006.

“It hasn’t been that easy in the past 20 years of my career – growing along with the needs of a growing dairy business that has survived just about everything the competitive marketplace can throw at you,” Van Treeck said, accepting the award. “But no matter the challenge, the principles upon which I make business decisions always come back to the goals of this very organization that I’ve been asked to join.”

“Sigma Beta Delta,” he continued. “The Sigma stands for wisdom gained over time and applied to daily life. Beta is about exhibiting personal qualities of the highest values. And Delta suggests we pursue meaningful aspirations, goals and a path in the world that expects responsible choices.”

Van Treeck came to the attention of the nominating committee at APU because of Matanuska Maid’s longtime contributions to higher education, its support of athletic programs and class projects at APU and Matanuska Maid’s leadership in Alaska’s business community.

Dr. Stewart spoke in general terms about the responsibility of business leaders, but the comments reflect Van Treeck’s philosophy about agriculture in Alaska. Stewart said: “We can reduce costs by moving manufacturing overseas and getting materials more cheaply in countries with fewer incentives to regulate,” he said. “But remember that nothing is free. The cost of cheaper products can be felt at home and abroad; felt in lost jobs, in a reduced economic base at home, and changed economic conditions, as well as potential worker exploitation abroad.”

Donald H. Driemeier, President of Sigma Beta Delta, said that the award is reserved for “those individuals with superior academic success.” But he also said “the honor comes with the expectation of an ability to bring individual knowledge and wisdom to bear upon the problems in our place of employment and in our larger communities. There is a rightful expectation that from our members should come thoughts, ideas and plans which can transform society,” he added.

Van Treeck, who has a Bachelors undergraduate degree in Agriculture Dairy Science, celebrated 20 years with Matanuska Maid in 2005. He received a Master of Science degree in Global Supply Chain Management from the University of Alaska Anchorages' College of Business and Public Policy, in 2002.

Matanuska Maid Dairy is one of the most northern dairy processors in the world. Now celebrating its 70th year in business, the dairy processes a full range of dairy, cultured, and beverage products for markets in Alaska and the Pacific Rim.  

Back to top      < News Main