Maritime Helicopters

2009 Bill Bivin Small Business of the Year Award

The Alaska State Chamber of Commerce presented Don and Mary Ann Fell, owners of Maritime Helicopters, with the 2009 Bill Bivin Small Business of the Year Award at the annual Fall Conference and Trade Show in Homer on Tuesday, September 22, 2009.

(left to right) Audrey Rearden, CFO, with Don and Mary Ann Fell, owners of Maritime Helicopters, receive the 2009 Bill Bivin Small Business of the Year award. Photo courtesy of Frank Flavin, Flavin Photography.

The Bill Bivin Small Business of the Year Award, established in 1993, pays tribute to businesses that exemplify leadership, ethics and organization. These businesses have demonstrated consistent community involvement, have an excellent business reputation and have established leadership in their respective field. Maritime Helicopters fully embodies all of these qualities.

Maritime Helicopters, owned by Don and Mary Ann Fell has been in business since 1973 supporting the marine, petroleum, construction industries as well as State and Federal agencies. Don was still flying for Pan American Airways when he first established his business. He ultimately retired from Pan Am as a Captain. He first rented a location at the Homer airport from which to operate. His wife Mary Ann, in addition to raising their five children, took care of the bookkeeping for the business at home and managed the business during Don’s absences while flying for the airlines. In 1978, they built their first hangar and in 1980 added a second helicopter.

They own and operate their own vessel, the 86 foot "Maritime Maid" which is equipped for helicopter operations. Their vessel and helicopters have operated from Homer throughout the Arctic, Western Aleutians and Southeast Alaska. With hangar facilities for their operations in Homer and Kodiak, they also have an out base of operations at Dutch Harbor in the Aleutian Islands with personnel experienced in the unique requirements of this area. They service customers throughout Alaska.

They have worked for the National Science Foundation in the High Arctic on the USCG icebreaker Healy.

Their mission took them from the northern Bering Sea to 500 miles north of Point Barrow. They have the ability to track and communicate at all times with both helicopters using Satellite Com/Nav, which creates a safe environment for their customers and crew.

Helicopters are available for twenty-four hour medivac service to surrounding communities, search and rescue and for fire fighting. Homer Electric depends on the company for power line support across Kachemak Bay.

Don and Mary Ann are generous to their employees and to their community. Mary Ann has been active in Rotary and is currently on the Advisory Board for the Wells Fargo Bank branch in Homer. Don helped establish the area mariculture association and stays active in the organization with substantial cash contributions to encourage and develop this important local industry. Their employees follow the example set by Don and Mary Ann, as mechanics and pilots participate in career outreach to local schools, speaking about aviation and aircraft maintenance careers and opportunities for employment.

Maritime Helicopters is a strong supporter of Homer Animal Friends, Boys and Girls Club, Special Olympics – Team Homer, many other school related functions and as a special treat they fly the Easter Bunny around the Kenai Peninsula each year.

Maritime Helicopters provide year round jobs for thirteen employees who are year round residents of Homer, and in Kodiak, they have two full time staff. At full time summer staffing, they have forty full and part time employees.

Mr. Fell set the high standard in aviation safety, aircraft maintenance and cleanliness of their facilities and equipment. His staff continues his expectations for high standards. All pilots must pass a rigorous training program and have high time Alaska flying experience. Maritime Helicopters operates statewide, earning an excellent reputation among the oil industry companies and state and federal agencies that utilize their helicopters. The company has a specialized Safety Management Program in place to which all employees must adhere.

This dedication and positive perspective is one of the many reasons the Alaska State Chamber of Commerce is proud to honor Don and Mary Ann Fell and Maritime Helicopters with the 2009 Bill Bivin Small Business of the Year Award. The Bill Bivin Small Business of the Year Award, established in 1993, pays tribute to businesses that exemplify leadership, ethics and organization. These businesses have demonstrated consistent community involvement, have an excellent business reputation and have established leadership in their respective field.