| Bernie V. Ballao Kodiak, Alaska Deputy Mayor of Kodiak, Alaska • Community Leader |
Bernie Velasco Ballao has endeared himself not only with the
Filipino-Americans across the vast region of Alaska, but as well
as with the natives and mainstream communities of different
islands. Known as a haven for providing employment with
lucrative income, more especially in its salmon cannery and other
seafood harvested in the rivers and ocean of Alaska during the
summer months, Kodiak, one of the most picturesque and
beautiful among the more than a dozen islands and inlets of the
State, has been home to Bernie since 1973. Recruited by the U.S.
Coast Guard in 1969 at a youthful age of barely 20, Bernie,
who was a laborer in the Philippines, rose to the rank of E-6 and
academically prepared himself, courtesy of the USCG. Since his
assignment in 1973 in Alaska, he decided to make Alaska as his
adopted home, Bernie was proverbially well- prepared and ready
to tackle anything that life has in stored for him. He set himself
up with several business ventures. Equipped with know-how and
knowledge he acquired when he was school graduate from the
Olongapo Provincial High School, gained wisdom and
knowledge through the Coast Guard's educational program.
While in the service, he completed the required courses in Food
and Beverage Management at the Naval Test Center in Pax River,
Alaska in 1976. In 1978, he completed the SPO Leadership
Filipino-Americans across the vast region of Alaska, but as well
as with the natives and mainstream communities of different
islands. Known as a haven for providing employment with
lucrative income, more especially in its salmon cannery and other
seafood harvested in the rivers and ocean of Alaska during the
summer months, Kodiak, one of the most picturesque and
beautiful among the more than a dozen islands and inlets of the
State, has been home to Bernie since 1973. Recruited by the U.S.
Coast Guard in 1969 at a youthful age of barely 20, Bernie,
who was a laborer in the Philippines, rose to the rank of E-6 and
academically prepared himself, courtesy of the USCG. Since his
assignment in 1973 in Alaska, he decided to make Alaska as his
adopted home, Bernie was proverbially well- prepared and ready
to tackle anything that life has in stored for him. He set himself
up with several business ventures. Equipped with know-how and
knowledge he acquired when he was school graduate from the
Olongapo Provincial High School, gained wisdom and
knowledge through the Coast Guard's educational program.
While in the service, he completed the required courses in Food
and Beverage Management at the Naval Test Center in Pax River,
Alaska in 1976. In 1978, he completed the SPO Leadership
School at the U.S. Coast Guard Petaluma Training Center.
It is no wonder then that Bernie's business ventures succeeded in the State of the Midnight Sun. Aside from
being the President and CEO of the Atlas Sales, Inc., he also owns the Kodiak Vending & Amusements, the
Sampaguita Video Kodiak and the two-year old Island International Kodiak, a food and fish-food processing
products exporting and importing to the Philippines.
In 1989, having been an active and dynamic leader of various organizations, Bernie won a seat in the City
Council of Kodiak. He became Deputy Mayor of Kodiak in 1994, and undoubtedly will be Kodiak's next mayor.
Bernie's political star is just beginning to illuminate. A personal friend of the powerful Alaskan politicians and
political machineries, all Bernie has to do is ask. He can be what he wants to be in the political arena of the
state," commented one of the old-timers at Jack Allman Post 17 of The American Legion of Alaska where
Bernie served as a bartender in 1981, then rose to be its manager and eventually was elected as
Commander of the Post, the highest position. He also served as President of the Fil-Am Association of
Kodiak, and a Founding & Charter President of the Barangay Lions Club International in 1989. He is a Life
Member of the Veterans of Foreign War and an active member of the Fil-Am Political Action Group in
Anchorage, Alaska.
Bernie was born and raised in Olongapo. His parents are from Bataan and Cavite City. He is married to the
former Emma P. Gonzalez of Manila. They have two children: Toni Gayle, 16; and Sheena Marie, 8.
Bernie's hobbies ? Fishing and hunting, of course, that's why he is in Alaska! (NM)
It is no wonder then that Bernie's business ventures succeeded in the State of the Midnight Sun. Aside from
being the President and CEO of the Atlas Sales, Inc., he also owns the Kodiak Vending & Amusements, the
Sampaguita Video Kodiak and the two-year old Island International Kodiak, a food and fish-food processing
products exporting and importing to the Philippines.
In 1989, having been an active and dynamic leader of various organizations, Bernie won a seat in the City
Council of Kodiak. He became Deputy Mayor of Kodiak in 1994, and undoubtedly will be Kodiak's next mayor.
Bernie's political star is just beginning to illuminate. A personal friend of the powerful Alaskan politicians and
political machineries, all Bernie has to do is ask. He can be what he wants to be in the political arena of the
state," commented one of the old-timers at Jack Allman Post 17 of The American Legion of Alaska where
Bernie served as a bartender in 1981, then rose to be its manager and eventually was elected as
Commander of the Post, the highest position. He also served as President of the Fil-Am Association of
Kodiak, and a Founding & Charter President of the Barangay Lions Club International in 1989. He is a Life
Member of the Veterans of Foreign War and an active member of the Fil-Am Political Action Group in
Anchorage, Alaska.
Bernie was born and raised in Olongapo. His parents are from Bataan and Cavite City. He is married to the
former Emma P. Gonzalez of Manila. They have two children: Toni Gayle, 16; and Sheena Marie, 8.
Bernie's hobbies ? Fishing and hunting, of course, that's why he is in Alaska! (NM)
Washington D.C. Since 1987
Washington D.C. Since 1987
| Copyright© 2006 Filipino Image. All rights Reserved. Advertise | Contract | Subscribe | Publisher | Contact Us |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |