Governor’s Innovation in Safety Award – STARS Program

We are proud to share that we have received the Governor’s Innovation in Safety Award for our STARS program and monitoring center.

The Governor’s Innovation in Safety Award celebrates organizations that think differently to solve real-world safety challenges. It recognizes a company or work group that has developed and implemented a creative forward-thinking solution such as a tool, process, design, or system that meaningfully improves health, safety, or environmental protection. By spotlighting innovation with measurable impact, this award honors those who advance safety through ingenuity, problem-solving, and bold ideas that improve quality of life in the workplace.

This recognition highlights our commitment to developing practical technology driven solutions that enhance safety across Alaska’s maritime response and high-risk operational environments.

We were also honored to showcase how STARS supports safer operations across the state and beyond.

Built on ArcGIS our cloud-based STARS platform creates a dynamic shared operating picture by integrating vessel tracking flight tracking environmental data and real-time field reporting.

By connecting teams and delivering critical information when it matters most STARS helps reduce information gaps improve coordination and enable faster more informed decision-making in the field.

We are proud to advance safety through innovation and remain committed to continuous improvement in everything we do.

Buddy Custard

Buddy Custard is the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Alaska Chadux Network (ACN). He possess extensive knowledge and expertise working maritime operations from both the public and private sectors, including serving with the U.S. Coast Guard for over 30 years attaining the rank of Captain and as a senior manager for an oil exploration and production company operating in the U.S. Arctic Outer Continental Shelf for over 3 years.

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