Our Beliefs
- Have a stable home of their choice.
- Be employed in rewarding jobs with benefits, growth opportunities, fair wages and flexible schedules.
- Determine their service and define what improve means for them.
- Experience discreet, non-intrusive, individualized supports of their choice.
- Be good neighbors who actively participate in their community and belong to community clubs, associations, leagues etc.
- Have access for affordable, accessible, and flexible transportation.
- Have opportunities to return to their roots (village, family, etc.).
- To experience community acceptance on a day-to-day basis.
- Be respected and heard.
- Have a reputation and identify free from the human service system.
- Make their own decisions based on informed decisions.
- Be seen as givers/contributors to the community.
- Be self advocates—network with each other for support.
- Experience a sense of confidence and empowerment and control.
- Have a variety of friends.
- Understand the obligation of service providers and expect it to be fulfilled.
- Get only the services they request.
Core Values
Treat each person with dignity and respect.
This means: seeking first to understand the other person. Practicing active listening. Avoid labels. Bringing out the best in each person. Making courtesies and kindness a part of all interactions. Practicing loyalty to those who are absent. Withholding criticism until you have “walked in their shoes” of the other person. Affirming each person’s unique talents, interests and values.
Make a difference in the lives of individuals with disabilities.
This means: empowering, involving, encouraging, supporting, inspiring and recognizing each person. Being determined to make a positive impact on each person. Thoughtfully planning your actions. Thinking and communicating inclusion. Readily extending trust. Being partners. Managing risks. Increasing knowledge about possibilities and alternatives. Believing in each person. Providing assistance with integrity.
Continually improve – forever.
This means: always looking for ways to do better, be more efficient, be more effective, to make an even bigger difference. Honoring the creative process. Have a high tolerance for ambiguity. Being incessantly curious about the way things work. Encourage learning, diverse opinions and open disagreement. Actively work to decrease fear and anxiety. Be a learner. Share what you learn.
Adapt, overcome, improvise.
This means: finding a way when it doesn’t seem possible. Practicing creative and patient persistence. Doing what it takes. Being smarter. Working smarter. Being a responsible risk taker. Creating an atmosphere that encourages risk and innovation. Having a sense of humor. Not taking yourself too seriously.
History
Assets, Inc. celebrated its 40th Anniversary in 2020, a major milestone that caused us to stop and reflect on our remarkable past. The organization was founded by determined parents and friends of individuals with disabilities, and for many years, was knows as Alaska Specialized Employment and Training Services.
In 1980, a print shop, bindery and other in-house contracts provided employment opportunities for the initial 80 adults served by Assets. Today, the print shop is still in operation, still providing high quality products, including F&G, Business Monthly, etc.
Assets, Inc. is the 64th largest private employer is the State of Alaska, with a workforce of over 270 employees, 41.97% of whom are individuals with disabilities. Each member contributes to the local economy and plays a valued role in the community.
Four years after Assets opened its doors, a contract was signed providing janitorial services at the Anchorage Airport. This was a pivotal moment in the history of the organization as it was the first of many service contracts established between Assets and various entities. Today, these contracts provide a variety of employment options for over 200 employees, both disabled and non-disabled, in such environments as the Anchorage Area Commissary, Providence Hospital, and the Alaska State Court House System. Employees of Assets wash every dish at Providence Hospital, stock every shelf at the commissary and clean every square inch of the Courthouse and Federal Buildings!
Our Supported Living Services began in 1984, followed by Employment Services in 1986. Supported Living Services refers to any combination of skill building, coaching and resource coordination to assist individuals to live in their own homes. Supported Employment assists individuals to obtain and retain employment within local businesses. Assets currently partners with over forty local employers in hiring the right person to ensure job satisfaction for both the employee and employer.
Assets has embraced change and incorporated cutting edge thinking into its service delivery system. New understandings about how individuals with disabilities are best supported have been the foundation of our services.
Our overall purpose, for individuals with disabilities to thrive in and contribute to their community, inspires and challenges us each and every day. We invite you to join us in recognizing the accomplishments over the last 43 years, and in continuing our commitment to make an even greater difference in the lives of individuals with disabilities in the 21st century.
Board Members
Interested in joining our board of directors? Please contact us.
| Board Chair | Brenda Duty | |
| Secretary | Lisa Pinkston | |
| Board Member | Devon Rust | |
| Board Member | Kelley Clouser | |
| Board Member | Michael Ashmore | |
| Board Member | Krystal Blair | |
| Treasurer | Wallace Jenkins Jr |
Our Leadership Team
Executive Director
Matt Jones, M.A. Mental Health Counseling
Matt Jones started work at Assets in a direct support position in 1986. He began his career in Human services prior to that while attending Prince William Sound College and working in Alaska’s now closed institution for persons with Intellectual Disabilities, Harborview Developmental Center.
Matt holds degrees in developmental disabilities, organizational administration, and an M.A. in mental health counseling. When not involved in the greatest career field ever, Matt enjoys fishing, farming, working with the Sutton Fire Department, archery, and his family.
Chief of Services
Mistee Davis, B.A. Psychology, A.A.S.
Mistee Davis, B.A. Psychology, A.A.S. Human Services, has 18+ years of experience and dedication, working towards Assets’ mission of making a difference in the lives of individuals who experience intellectual / developmental disabilities and / or severe and chronic mental illness, by working to consistently improve the home environments, employment opportunities, and community connections of the individuals we serve, in various roles and capacities. She has been Assets’ Chief of Services since September of 2014.
Mistee is a born and raised Alaskan, who enjoys spending time with her husband, two children, and chocolate lab. Hobbies include fishing, boating, flying, camping, and any activity that allows her to explore our beautiful state.
Clinical Director
Marti Romero, Psy.D., LPC-S
Marti Romero, Psy.D., LPC-S is a licensed psychologist with 30+ years dedicated to providing treatment and supports to individuals who experience intellectual/developmental disabilities and severe and chronic mental illness. She has been Assets’ Clinical Director since October, 2014.
Dr. Romero is a life-long Alaskan, who enjoys spending time with family and friends; fishing, camping, hiking, playing softball – generally most things in the great outdoors.
Finance Director
Amber Campbell
Amber has been with Assets since 2021. She came to the agency with over 13 years of experience in accounting holding various positions in the field. She enjoys working with numbers and problem solving.
She is originally from Arizona, moving to the great state of Alaska in June 2016 with her husband and 2 kids. Amber and her husband are the owners of Last Frontier Creations, a hobby business. She enjoys doing craft fairs and traveling around the state.
When she is not working in Finance or for her business, she enjoys seeing and travelling throughout the state with her husband soaking in everything Alaska has to offer.
Alexandra “Alex” Gerlt, B.S. Psychology
Alexandra “Alex” Gerlt is a born and raised Alaskan who holds a Bachelor’s in Psychology. Alex has over 8 years of experience working in the nonprofit industry. She seeks to work herself out of a job by increasing the independence of individuals with disabilities in the workforce and assisting her community in recognizing their work. In her free time she avoids bears on hiking trails, fails at trivia, and spends time with family.
Diversified Services Director
Cuong Vo
Cuong has been with Assets since 1996. He started out as a Janitor at one of our many Contract Sites. Over the years, Cuong has held multiple positions within the Contracts Department and is now working with the Project Managers to ensure all contractual obligations are met, as well as negotiating all current and new contracts. His contributions to the company and leadership cannot be overstated.
Cuong enjoys fishing in the many waters throughout Alaska and doesn’t hesitate to tell a great ‘fish’ story if asked.
Information Systems Administrator
Ann Marie Anderson, B.S. Information Technology
Ann Marie Anderson has over 29 years of experience working in the nonprofit industry, 26 of those years with Assets. She started with the company as a direct services provider and has held multiple positions during her time with Assets. Currently, she oversees the administration of multiple software systems and strives to support our staff in accomplishing their daily work.
In her free time she enjoys spending time with her husband and friends hiking, golfing, painting, camping, and walking with her two Jack-Russel terriers.
Chief Operating Officer
Chuck Almasy
Chuck has been with Assets for over 35 years working in variety of positions during his time. He started at our Commissary Contract Site as a stocker/janitor and is now a valued member of leadership in guiding the company.
Heather Cartwright