Brian Sanford

Home Town: Tok, Alaska

Brian Sanford is the son of Edward Sanford Sr. of Tok, Alaska, and Sandra Mericle of Louisiana, and his paternal grandparents include Laura Sanford of Tanacross and Walter Sanford from the Ahtna region—connections that strongly shape his values and sense of responsibility to community and culture.

Brian earned his Master of Business Administration from Alaska Pacific University in the summer of 2016. He chose to pursue an MBA to advance his career, strengthen his leadership and analytical skill set, and gain practical, real-world business knowledge applicable across industries. With prior experience owning businesses, Brian saw the MBA as a way to enhance his entrepreneurial edge while also creating opportunities for career growth and long-term impact.

Professionally, Brian currently works at Alyeska Pipeline Service Company. Before earning his MBA, he worked in heavy industrial construction representing State of Alaska capital projects, gaining valuable technical experience. The MBA allowed him to build on that foundation by developing stronger planning, cost analysis, and economic evaluation skills to support informed decision-making in complex, competitive environments.

Brian credits the Doyon Foundation Competitive Scholarship with supporting him at a pivotal time in his life. The financial assistance and sense of corporate support helped him complete his education and take the next step in a demanding professional landscape. One of his biggest challenges during graduate school was maintaining work-life balance, which required difficult choices and a strong commitment to prioritizing his studies.

Outside of work, Brian values returning to Tok to spend time with family, which he describes as essential for staying grounded while navigating corporate environments.

Looking ahead, Brian hopes to see more Doyon shareholders pursue graduate-level education in fields that align with corporate missions and operational excellence, helping ensure Doyon’s sustainability for generations to come.