ANCHORAGE, AK – Alyeska Pipeline Service Company has been honored as a Compassionate Employer by The Compassionate Friends, a national nonprofit that supports families following the death of a child. This year, 141 companies nationally were honored for showing exceptional care and support to employees who experienced the death of a child, sibling or grandchild.  

Alyeska was nominated for this honor by Marina and Donald Beck, both longtime Alyeska employees who lived and worked in Valdez. Their 32-year-old daughter, Karen Rae, died suddenly in March 2008, leaving behind two young daughters. The Becks and their grandchildren drew overwhelming support from colleagues, Marina Beck said.   

“My co-workers helped get us organized and packed so we could travel the 306 miles to Anchorage to make funeral arrangements, then on to Kodiak for the funeral,” Marina Beck said. “The company paid for our travel and sent beautiful flowers and fruit baskets. My supervisor also traveled to Kodiak for the service.”  

The Becks credited Alyeska’s bereavement policy that provides financial support and paid time off. More importantly, Alyeska provided moral support, Marina Beck said.

“If more companies were as generous as Alyeska, employees might feel more valued, be more productive and loyal to the company,” she said. “We are devastated by the loss of our daughter and Alyeska patiently waited for us to return to work.”  

The Compassionate Friends applauded Alyeska for “going above and beyond customary workplace policies and practices in meeting the needs of grieving employees.”  

For further information, contact Michelle Egan, Alyeska Corporate Communications Director, at 787-8870. 

For more information on Alyeska, visit the company’s website at www.alyeska-pipe.com. 

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