NEWS
Putting People First: Patty Bryant’s Path Through DUS
Please provide your name, job title, and day-to-day responsibilities at DUS.
My name is Patty Bryant, and I’ve been with DUS since 1995. I’m the Benefits Coordinator and have held that role since 2009. I manage employee benefits, handle invoicing for our self-insured health programs, and oversee garnishments. I’ve taken on many roles over the years, but today, my main focus is benefits.
Starting Where You’re Needed: Jayme on Building a Career with DUS
Can you tell me your name, current position at DUS, and career journey?
My name is Jayme Thomas, and I’m the Operations Coordinator at DUS. I started as a temporary housekeeping hire in Nenana, then moved into a permanent role in Kuparuk. After several months, I became a lead supervisor and later transitioned into an HSE technician role, focusing on safety for three years. I also trained as an executive housekeeper and worked in other support roles. Before moving to headquarters, I was a step-up HSE specialist, overseeing training and supervising technicians.
Portraits of Success: Security Officer Soileau
This year marks the sixth anniversary of Security Officer Soileau’s service to one of our Oil and Gas clients in Houston. Soileau started her career in private security, drawn by the flexibility and overtime opportunities, a decision she’s never regretted. She attributes her long tenure to the confidence her team and leadership have in her abilities and the supportive environment that motivates her daily. A standout moment for her was receiving a hand-signed birthday card from the leadership team, which made her feel valued.
Denali Universal Services Announces Key Leadership Promotions
Effective immediately, Denali Universal Services (DUS) is excited to announce organizational changes within the DUS Leadership Team with six key promotions. These promotions reflect the exceptional leadership and dedication of our team members and signify DUS’s continued commitment to operational excellence, strategic growth, and client satisfaction.
“DUS is excited about these leadership promotions and confident in their continued impact. These advancements reflect our commitment to strong leadership, a people-centric culture, and exceptional client support as we grow and uphold service excellence,” said Maria Bourne, CEO & President of Denali Universal Services.
DUS Transitions to New Leadership
DUS is pleased to announce its transition to new private ownership, effective September 1, 2024. The new ownership group includes a select team of investors featuring DUS CEO Maria Bourne. This change marks a significant milestone, first as private ownership and secondarily DUS now qualifies as a Women-Owned Business Enterprise (WBE), aligning with clients who prioritize diversity in hiring and procurement. DUS was previously owned by the global food services and facilities management group Sodexo.
“Our transition in ownership enables us to be more agile and better positioned for future success. We are excited about the growth opportunities ahead as we expand our operations nationwide,” said Bourne.
Professional Protection: Interest in Private Security Firms Steadily Increasing
This content was originally published in Alaska Business Magazine, by writer Vanessa Orr.
Guarding the lobby of an office building. Watching the entrance gates at a conference venue. Patrolling a fairground, head on a swivel. Responding in the dark of night to a burglar alarm. Monitoring camera feeds from a remote panopticon. Private security takes many forms, and providers have many tools to protect clients’ assets. According to Gitnux Market Data, more than 1 million security guards were employed nationwide in 2020, and revenues from contract security services totaled around $41 billion.
Demand for these services is projected to reach nearly $46.2 billion in North America by 2024. In Alaska, demand is growing as well.
“What’s happening in the country in general—with active shootings, defunding police activism, and more—has increased interest in the demand for private security as a result,” says Denali Universal Services (DUS) President and CEO Maria Bourne. “We’ve definitely seen an increase in activity due to larger social changes.”
Denali Universal Services Receives the 2021 Hire Vets Gold Medallion Award from US Department of Labor for our Exemplary Efforts in Recruiting, Employing, and Retaining our Nation’s Veterans
Denali Universal Services (DUS) is pleased to announce that the U.S. Secretary of Labor Martin J. Walsh recognized them as one of the recipients of the 2021 Honoring Investments in Recruiting and Employing American Military Veterans (HIRE Vets) Medallion Award during a virtual award ceremony. DUS is honored to have received a Gold Medallion Award.
The HIRE Vets Medallion Program implements the requirements of the HIRE Vets Act of 2017 (Public Law 115-310) and is the only federal award recognizing exceptional achievement in veteran employment.
This award honors employees who have shown a commitment to hiring veterans, but also ensuring that they have a long-term career and growth plan that uses the diverse skills they acquired through their military service. Recipients of the 2021 HIRE Vets Medallion Award meet rigorous employment and veteran integration assistance criteria, including veteran hiring and retention percentages for veterans.
“We are extremely proud of our veteran employees and continue to make strides in our recruitment and retention efforts of those who have served and still serve. We respect the shared values our veterans bring to the workforce and appreciate their service to our country,” said Maria Bourne, President and CEO for Denali Universal Services.
About the HIRE Vets Medallion Program: The HIRE Vets Medallion Award is earned by businesses that demonstrate unparalleled commitment to attracting, hiring, and retaining veterans. For more information about the program visit HIREVets.gov.
Denali Universal Services Announces New Leadership
Denali Universal Services (DUS) is announcing that Bob Kean, who has spent the last 20 years with DUS, is retiring effective December 31, 2020 after a long and esteemed career of both public and private service. Mr. Kean has made significant contributions to the growth of DUS during his tenure and will continue to serve DUS and Sodexo in an advisory role. DUS wishes Mr. Kean well in his retirement and thanks him for his many contributions.
Following Mr. Keans’ departure, DUS is pleased to announce that Maria Bourne has been promoted to President, effective January 1, 2021. Over the past five years as Senior Vice President of Operations and Chief Financial Officer, Maria has been responsible for DUS’s financial management. Her responsibilities included supervising operational execution, assisting in company growth, facilitating development, and supervising internal management. Along with her BBA in Accounting from the University of Alaska, Maria is a Certified Public Accountant and has spent over a decade in Senior Financial Management positions. Prior to DUS, she worked at KPMG, where her work focused on auditing, advisory, and valuation services.
“I am grateful to have spent twenty years with this company, and am very proud of what the DUS team has accomplished together,” said Mr. Kean. “As the future unfolds, I have great confidence that DUS is in terrific hands for future success. Maria Bourne has been preparing for this and the timing is right for her to transition into the role as President of DUS.”
What’s Cookin’ at the Camps?
How remote workers ‘fuel up’ while on site
By Amy Newman
It takes a lot to keep Alaska’s remote worksites running smoothly. Whether it’s transporting goods and materials, maintaining operating equipment, or managing camp quarters, support service companies play an integral role in keeping the mining, oil and gas, and other critical industries open for business.
Perhaps the most vital of these services? Food. Catering camps provide the fuel for a workforce that spends 12-hour days hundreds of miles from home, weeks at a time. Good, hearty food–and lots of it–is what keeps them going.
Denali Universal Services receives the 2020 GOLD Safety Award from ConstructSecure for the Security Services Division safety performance and program.
Denali Universal Services (DUS) is pleased to announce that ConstructSecure has awarded DUS with their Gold Safety Award. ConstructSecure is an independent safety assessment program that reviews a company’s historic safety performance and current safety management systems. It is widely used in the commercial construction business, of whom we are proud to partner with in the protection of assets.
The DUS Security Division strengths highlighted by Construct Secure in their assessment as “better than industry average” include:
- Days away case and restricted cases
- Recordable cases
- EMR
- No fatalities in the past
- Safety Management Systems
- Safety Program elements
- Special elements
“The professionals who work in our Security Division and Safety Teams are committed to safety every day, at work and at home. It is my pleasure to congratulate our team for their relentless commitment to our safety performance and the values that are part of the DUS culture,” said Bob Kean, President and CEO for Denali Universal Services.