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Whether providing creature comforts for workers far away from home or delivering critical services along the Trans Alaska Pipeline System (TAPS) route, on the North Slope, across Alaska, and far beyond, NANA Management Services (NMS) and its talented staff have built a legacy of reliability, quality, and partnership with North American contractors. This year, NMS hit a major milestone: 50 years of operations and service.

NMS began as NANA Commercial Catering in 1974 during TAPS construction and managed food services at North Slope camps. NMS is an Alaska-Native owned company and certified Minority Business Enterprise built on a culture of partnership and bringing expertise, support, and service solutions to its clients. That commitment is evident today in catering, janitoring, security and medical services, billeting, facility management, building maintenance, and courier services.

For Alyeska and TAPS workers, NMS staff prepare hot meals and clean rooms at pump stations, setup before and support during busy IMT drills, and are often the first people you encounter at a pump station at the security gate. In the field, they are considered more than contractors and co-workers.

“During my 23 years on TAPS, some of the most amazing individuals I’ve had the opportunity to meet have been from NMS,” said Ian Stewart, Alyeska’s Pump Station 5 maintenance planner. “They are part of the family. Everyone along the line recognizes NMS as an equal and it has always been like that.”

Renier Swart, Alyeska’s Transportation and Facilities Manager, added, “I definitely consider them close family. They are people you can rely on.”

Strong connections are formed between TAPS workers, Alyeska staff and NMS crews, especially at remote pump stations, where workers can spend as much time together as they do with their own families.

“Between NMS and Alyeska, it is more of a friendship than work,” says 11-year employee Sam Sidibeh, NMS Head Chef at Pump Station 4 and 5.

People like Patty Miller, the NMS Head Chef at the Yukon Response Base/Pump Station 6, embodies that balance of professionalism and family vibe. She’s famous among pipeline workers for her baking, welcoming nature, and continual support to everyone she works with. She even won a special Alyeska Atigun Award for Best Baker on TAPS.

“The best way to describe Patty Miller and how she operates on a day-to-day basis… selfless comes to mind right off the bat and she really goes above and beyond to make everyone feel like they are part of a family,” said Phil Huelskoetter, Alyeska’s Civil Maintenance Coordinator at the Yukon Response Base/Pump Station 6. “That’s a crucial part of camp life.”

Miller added during an Atigun Award interview, “It is very important to me to make people feel good. When you’re away from home for along period of time, the only enjoyment they get in their day is what they find in food which is why I bake with love. The majority of the people bring so much joy to me as much I try to do to them.”

NMS staff credit their client-centered approach to making pump station life feel like a home away from home for everyone.

“As we look to the future, NMS remains committed to elevating the standard of service and safety for our partners,” said Jason Carlson NMS Vice President of Camp Services. “Our dedication to innovation and the well-being of our teams enables us to continuously refine our approach, ensuring a safe and exceptional experience for everyone who relies on us.”

NMS Safety Culture

Hearty food and creating a comfortable environment isn’t all that NMS workers are known for today. The company’s people extend their care to their fellow employees and those they work with through a strong safety culture.

“When it comes to priorities, safety is at the top of the list,” said Miller. “We strive to have the safest environment possible. We couple that with Alyeska’s safety ethics to further enhance and promote safe workplaces.”

NMS staff do that through continuous training and mentoring, working together to make sure everyone works safely and without injury, conducting daily safety meetings, and going over pertinent and up to date information. By establishing a culture of safety and implementing safety measures, NMS staff create a setting where everyone feels confident and secure in their work, knowing that their well-being is imperative.

“How NMS approaches what they do, and the safety aspect is absolutely impressive to me,” said Huelskoetter. “When you talk about Alyeska’s mindsets, NMS staff are accountable to not only their jobs, but they reach to be accountable for everyone, and to me that is so important for crew morale and keeping everyone’s spirits high.”

Earlier this year, NMS was recognized as AOGA’s Safety Contractor of the Year for the third year in a row. This recognition illustrates its commitment to safety and excellence in core operations.

Alyeska’s Pump Station 4 wastewater facility, operated by NMS, was also honored in 2024 as the Small Wastewater System of the Year by the Alaska Water Wastewater Management Association. The collaboration between Alyeska and NMS demonstrated a commitment to high safety standards and excellence in facility management, as well as the strength of this partnership and shared goal of outstanding performance across TAPS.

Looking Ahead

Family and safety drive NMS, its staff and work, and this significant 50-year milestone is worthy of celebration. Yet NMS leaders said that they’re just as focused on continually elevating their services moving forward as they are with enjoying the nostalgia of the past.

Beyond hospitality and camp services, NMS noted in a recent press release, also offers its clients a full spectrum of services, including armed and unarmed guards, wildlife control, and real-time response. We employ former federal, state, and local law enforcement professionals, military special operations personnel and others with specialized skill sets and advanced security experience to make it happen.

NMS started on the North Slope serving oil field clients, NMS now delivers services to healthcare providers, manufacturing centers, school districts, universities, and many other private and tribal facilities across the U.S. In those 50 years of operations, NMS has created formal education programs, professional development courses and self-directed learning, and on-the-job stretch assignments. With opportunities like these, NMS has set their employees up for success and multiple career paths that lead towards advancement.

“At NMS, it’s not just about getting the job done it’s about taking care of people, building a real sense of community, and prioritizing safety in everything we do,” said Todd Whited NMS Director of Operations. “As we look ahead, we’re focused on finding ways to support our teams, work smarter, and maintain a secure environment for our clients and their crews.”