Above: Joe Usibelli Jr., center, pictured with BLOY co-chairs, Ashley Plys, left, and Gavin Meggert, right. Photo courtesy of Gabriel King Photography.
An acronym that I commonly hear as a student marketing assistant at the UAF College of Business and Security Management (CBSM) is BLOY. During the fall 2022 semester, I have had a crash course in not only what the BLOY acronym stands for but also what an event of this caliber entails.
In 2021, the UAF business leader of the year (BLOY) event, which has celebrated community leaders for over 40 years, had already been postponed once and looked like it would be postponed again. I vividly remember my supervisor’s disappointment as she told us the news that we were once again postponing BLOY — an event that is the highlight of the academic year. It would be pushed back again because of factors none of us could control.
We, the CBSM marketing team, spent the rest of the year with bated breath awaiting confirmation that there would be a 2022 BLOY. We didn’t want to get our hopes up until we knew for sure that there would be a celebration for the honoree, Joe Usibelli Jr. At last, the date was determined; Friday, November 18, 2022.
Having never attended BLOY, I had no idea what to expect, but I knew that it historically had been an incredible event celebrating the community’s strongest business leaders. To describe the planning process in one word, I would use “whirlwind.” It starts out slow; the calm before the storm. As the marketing team put plans into action, student marketing assistants focused on content creation and were taught how to create the social media campaigns for sponsors. The pace quickly started to pick up; I honestly can’t remember a calm moment after the event sold out, which was at the end of October.
A couple of weeks before the main event, student volunteers had dinner with Joe. This was a special opportunity to learn more about him and his business philosophy, as well as a chance to ask how he felt about being celebrated as the 2022 UAF business leader of the year. I was a little intimidated, to be honest when I was invited to this dinner. I didn’t know what to expect and was a bit anxious, but, in the end, I am so thankful I attended and had an opportunity to get to know Joe on a more personal level.
“Being awarded the Business Leader of the Year is an honor, and it’s circular in my life. I was part of Associated Students of Business, I was a co-chair of this event, and my father was also selected for BLOY. Being a graduate of UAF, it is comforting that I have done all right.” — Joe Usibelli Jr.
Left: Joe Usibelli Jr. accepts the 2022 UAF Business Leader of the Year award. Photo courtesy of Gabriel King Photography.
Flash forward to a couple of weeks later, as the hours count down to the big event. Spending time between campus and the Westmark Fairbanks Hotel & Conference Center, I was witness to all of the planning we’ve spent months on finally coming to fruition. We are minutes away from opening the doors, and there is another feeling of calm before the storm. I pause for just a moment to take it all in. Students are anxiously waiting for the volunteer orientation and to be assigned their roles. I take my place at the Alaska Airlines raffle station and before I know it, the hallway is buzzing with people and chatter.
During the social hour, I sneak away from the raffle to get a glimpse of all the excitement. As I walk through the doors to the Usibelli Coal Mine Fun Room, I watch a group of people have fun posing with props at the photo booth, a couple is competing for who can make a hole-in-one faster at the Black Diamond Putt-Putt Challenge, and so many people are smiling.
Right: UAF mascot, Nanook, and Joe Usibelli Jr. at the 2022 UAF Business Leader of the Year VIP reception on Nov. 18th. UAF photo by Eric Engman.
As the program was about to begin, I watched the crowd slowly make their way to their seats. The room was dark, with black draping covering the walls, and spotlights shining on huge black and white photos on the sides of the room. The tables were so intricately set, with the silverware perfectly aligned and beautiful floral centerpieces bringing it all together. The decor, a mix of black and gold, with highlights of blue, gave the elegant aesthetic we had spent so much time creating. It had all come together. I couldn’t help but smile at the pure excitement and awe each person seemed to feel as they entered the room and saw it for the first time. That energy continued throughout the program, and Lisa Cassino and Jim Culley encapsulated that during their on-stage banter during the fundraising portion of the event. I was blown away by how quickly people gave and the goal of raising $40,000 was met and exceeded.
Now that the post-event actions have been completed, I have had a moment to reflect on my experience as a CBSM student marketing assistant bringing the what felt like impossible dreams of BLOY to fruition. Not only was I able to reflect on the event night, but also all of the moments and feelings that I had during the development process. One of the biggest highlights of my BLOY experience was working with my fellow student marketing assistant and the volunteers. Angelica, the newly hired student marketing assistant, was thrown into the whirlwind immediately. Having never been through BLOY myself before, it was a learning experience to figure out what I needed to do and how I could assist with mentoring her. While it was challenging at times, I feel like it helped both of us grow exponentially professionally.
Left: Skyler Smith, CBSM student marketing assistant, and author stands for a photo before the 2022 UAF Business Leader of the Year dinner and award ceremony. Photo courtesy of Gabriel King Photography.
Joe’s passion for helping students, his vulnerability, his strength and his selflessness all stood out to me. It was easy to see how much he loves his family as he shared stories with us. His tales were memorable as he reflected back on his time at UAF as a student, and now as a businessman. It was reaffirming to learn of his dedication to the younger generations, as the leaders of tomorrow. His dedication to Interior Alaska and its people reminded me of my hometown and the familial feel of a community where people help each other out. I recall Joe was asked what he was most excited about for BLOY during the student dinner. His answer was to see his friends and to spend time with people he hadn’t seen in a long time.
“When you are capable of helping, find ways to step into a role and support your community.” - Joe Usibelli Jr.
While planning BLOY and putting it into action may have been exhausting, it was worth it seeing Joe's excitement and happiness throughout the evening. I am thrilled to have had the opportunity to help plan an event that celebrates someone who focuses so much of his time on helping others. I anticipate seeing who is nominated for the 2023 UAF business leader of the year when nominations open in February.
